Qrator, a fun pun on the word ‘curator’ aims to make the best in home décor available under one roof, by curating fine works of art and furniture by renowned European artists and brands.
A lot of effort has gone into selecting objects that are a result of bespoke craftsmanship.
Qrator is the creation of Pooja Poddar. Her passion for beautiful home décor and art reflects in the curated products on display at the store as well as the warm and opulent décor of the 1200 square feet space.
A dramatic entrance with a copper corridor greets the visitor. Here copper completely clads the walls, ceiling and doors. This leads to the main store space where lighter colour tones have been used in the form of a white silk wallpaper with grey hues.
This contrast creates the statement entrance. The effect is enhanced with the backlit logo reflecting in the glass during the evenings. It also serves to establish a contrast between the two different areas of the store.
The entire store is a play of light, shadows and colours revealed at different times of the day. The division of the area into the store, gallery and outdoors somehow layers the entire experience of moving within.
Art and décor merge seamlessly.
One would expect that since Qrator stocks hand-picked luxury brands from Europe, there would be a brand-wise display of the products. However, this is not so. “Our overall décor mimics a comfortable living space as we want our clients to feel quite ‘at home’ when they’re here.
We attach a lot of importance to the aesthetics of the brands we are showcasing and we choose the right kind of props or furniture to accentuate the product. The only time we put products from a single brand together is only if the collection put together is more flattering. We create small living setups along with the furniture we manufacture to give our clients the overall perspective of the final look,” explains Poddar.
Seemingly common objects are actually works of art.
One of the highpoints of the décor is the open-air rooftop garden in the centre. “It’s both a place of solace and versatility for me as I can decorate this space in so many different ways during our events.
Moreover, it enhances the overall look of our store on any normal day due to the enormous amount of light and elements of nature, such as birds! The shadows the glass creates during the evenings are fantastic,” she says.
In addition to the store space, Qrator has a gallery and outdoor garden area that take up an additional 1800 square feet. This is used at the time of various events held at the gallery for dining, seating and art display.
The plain white marble flooring that has been used throughout the store, gallery space and garden area serves to maintain a cohesive classical style throughout.
The overall sense of décor and materials used is classic with niches of eclectic furniture and nouveau art deco pieces, thus providing the clients an overall impression of the brand’s style.
The products include furniture, bespoke accessories and art pieces. They change the display of products very often, sometimes almost every other month. The store has been designed in such a manner that there are very few fixed elements; this gives the much-needed flexibility to play around with furniture and other accent pieces.
The curatorial eye is very strong here, and this reflects not only in the products but also in the store décor. Ultimately, the goal is to appeal to the aesthetic sense of the customer. “What appeals to the eye, appeals to the mind. I feel the décor of any space influences the customers to make a decision. It’s important for clients to feel comfortable in the space they’re in as well as feel a level of association with the brand,” she concludes.
Text By Dhanishta Shah
Photographs Courtesy Gautam Prasad and Sandeep Choudhury.
Contact
Web: www.qrator.co.in
