INTERVIEW: JEENA J BILLIMORIAON THE
BRIGHT SIDE
Your home is all about setting the right tone. Lighting experts Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth
are here to provide some illumination68 — (^) JULY 2019
What are the rules for selecting lights?
Jain: The first is to know its purpose: Is it for
decoration, or is it functional? Very rarely do we see a
good design that does both. Second, don’t follow a trend
blindly; embrace one that matches your aesthetic.
How does your work fit within a minimalist aesthetic?
Gautam Seth: When someone with this aesthetic
approaches us for an installation, we suggest
something that’s more form-based, with little or no
embellishments. The contrast of the volume of the
space to the piece also plays a role – but our work
looks best in clean, simple spaces.
And for someone with a maximalist aesthetic? How much
is too much?
Seth: The key is to harmonise. Synchronicity, when
broken, starts to look jarring. The story and theme of
the artefacts should always be in tandem.
What design era are you drawn to?
Seth: We love the Art Nouveau and Surrealist eras.
What do you recommend for small spaces?
Jain: We always suggest pieces that are more detailed
and compact. Our candle-and-moth pendants and
chandelier are a great example because they bring in
drama and detail, as do our eagle totem lamps and the
Freya table lamp.
And for larger spaces?
Seth: We’re definitely extremely biased towards our
new collection, Totems Over Time. These limited-
edition wall installations are inspired by totems
representing abundance, beauty, protection and vision.
What are three tips for creating your own lighting?
Seth: Pick three materials for the shade (paper,
stone, metal mesh), buy two to three different types
of bulbs (Tungsten, incandescent, fairy lights).
Then, experiment.
GOODLIFE
Y
our home is an extension of your personality.
You know that. With the explosion of
designers and products, it’s never been easier
to express yourself. You know that too. Yet,
while most emphasise furniture and colours, not
enough attention is given to lighting, which can
drastically alter a space. Few brands in the country
manage to hit the sweet spot with lighting that’s
as creative as it is functional, but Klove is up there
on the list. Since its launch in 2005, it’s won a
string of awards, collaborated with Arttd’inox, Paul
Smith and Hendrick’s Gin, as well as the country’s
slickest interior designers, and made appearances at
exhibitions and trade shows across the globe. Which
would make co-founders Prateek Jain and Gautam
Seth the best guys to shed some light on the topic.
What should one generally keep in mind when doing up
a space?
Prateek Jain: The first thing to look at is your
budget. Set one aside for the whole exercise.
Second, list the basic requirements: The number
of bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, family spaces, etc.
Third, focus on air, light and greenery, followed by
the gadgets, appliances and technologies you want
to integrate in your home. Then, move on to the
look and feel. Preparing a mood board will help you
design everything.
How do you put together a budget for lighting?
Jain: Lighting can be divided into two categories:
architectural and decorative. Most of the illumination
in a house should be determined by the former, while
the latter should be more sculptural, and used only
as focal points. Having too many pieces too close to
each other loses impact, especially in a small space.
Lighting can make or break a home, and most people
address it only at the end of a project, whereas it
should be among the first things to be considered.
So, when budgeting for your space, do some proper
research on lighting early on.