Nicobar, the indigenous lifestyle brand that exudes the vibe of modern India, has just moved into a quaint bungalow at Bandra.
The much-loved travel collection is hosted in the travellers’ room.
Named after its namesake island, Nicobar has already tasted success at its first store at Kala Ghoda. The move to Bandra continues the easy, relaxed and joyful vibe of the décor, that was evident in the Kala Ghoda outlet.
The brand now occupies a proud space on the ground floor of the famed Patkar Bungalow. At 1200 square feet, it is quite a roomy area that does full justice to the tropical design expression that has become synonymous with the brand’s aesthetic.
“Built in the late 1920s, this colonial style heritage villa stands conspicuously alone in its modern surroundings at the junction between Turner and Linking Road. The outside of the bungalow retains its vintage character with sloping tin roof, grand archways and shuttered windows, while inside, expect to be welcomed by earthy Shahabad stone, warm timber, beautiful high ceilings and an eclectic mix of found furniture, all designed to lend character and add to the store’s coastal appeal,” explains Simran Lal, Co-founder & Creative Director, Nicobar Design Studio.
A statement wall has a tiger and the moon are hand painted on it.
The store is spread over seven rooms. The tropical ambience is central to all Nicobar stores, and this one is no exception. Hence, the design re-imagines whitewashed walls on holiday, colonial furniture of the old villas, large tropical palms (look out for the potted ones as you enter the store!) and exotic safaris.
Since Nicobar has a beautiful store at Kala Ghoda as well, it is natural to wonder how this one is different. What makes the Bandra store unique in terms of décor? “Nicobar Bandra abandons the conventional open plan retail space for a quainter and cosy home experience where one moves from chamber to chamber (or as we call it ‘from island to island’) as if moving through one’s own personal space,” says Lal.
The entire store has the Shahabad stone flooring, except the menswear room which has a walnut wooden floor to distinguish it from the others.
The garments section looks like an expansive open wardrobe.
A statement wall immediately catches attention – a tiger and the moon are hand painted on the wall. These graphics have been developed by the Nicobar home design team. “We are obsessed with both tigers and the moon so this was a natural coming together of the two,” says Lal.
Each room is a small unit of discovery in itself, unravelling little elements of surprise. Indeed, there’s something for everyone in this restored Bandra home! You will find several spots to lean against and cosy corners to nestle into.
The wide-ranging arrays of baubles that are designed to fit every lifestyle, seamlessly occupy the varied spaces. The garments section looks like an expansive open wardrobe with custom-made fittings for hanging the latest designs. The ‘Home’ area makes use of wooden shelving and a center table to display neatly arranged tableware.
The much-loved travel collection is hosted in the travellers’ room. In keeping with the theme, here, the windows overlook lush palms, a library of books and a community table, where one can settle down for a bit of work or a chat! This is definitely a room for lingering around. Another noteworthy section is the menswear room. Put simply, this is a man’s cave. This is the room that hosts the signature hand-painted tiger and moon wall. The bar-ware displays and a styling area supply the apt finishing touch!
The bar-ware display in the special section for men supplies an apt finishing touch!
Nicobar introduces new collections month on month and each time there is a new collection, it is a cohesive capsule across categories. There are three product categories: Clothing, Home and Travel. Across all these, one will always find similar influences be it in terms of colour palate, concept and inspiration.
Nicobar is a space one needs to visit not merely for shopping but to experience a beautiful amalgamation of contemporary Indian style and a global Indian spirit. It is like a refuge in the midst of the urban chaos…or to put it simply, a tropical paradise!
Text By Dhanishta Shah
Photographs Courtesy Nicobar Design Studio
Contact
Web: www.nicobar.com
