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Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar is an internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.

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Vaishnavi works out of a sunny studio called Mangomonk where she writes for publications big and small.

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Latest Articles

Vogue India •

Sudha Murty: “I don’t go to restaurants. Why drive, park and waste time in traffic when you can eat at home?”

There’s no pomp when Sudha Murty enters the room. In fact, no one really notices. The videographers are busy priming their cameras, her staff is whirring around the sidelines and I am admiring a painting depicting the Mahabharata—made by a Kolkata-based collective of the Bengal School, she tells me later. “Which magazine?” she asks, smiling, as I hurriedly turn, take notice and mutter an answer. “Ah yes, please sit.” So I do. In videos and pictures, Murty seems larger somehow, a powerhouse of a...
Architectural Digest •

This 3,500-square-foot coastal villa in Chennai channels Mediterranean magic

The thing that people often forget about architects is their ability to roll with the punches—to expand a room by a few square metres, move a window an inch or two to the left, flip the living room to frame a better view. Or, as in the case of Raghuveer Ramesh and Sharanya Srinivasan, the duo behind Chennai-based Studio Context, do all that—and then decide to promptly not. “We kept doubling every room with each design round. At one point, Sharanya insisted that she’d have to start cutting down t...
The Local Project •

Larkspur by BOSS Architecture

Larkspur, a midcentury-inspired dwelling designed by Denver-based BOSS Architecture, harmonises with the surrounding 1960s residences yet conceals a secret imperceptible from the street: a storybook backyard that turns with the seasons.
For the architects, the ambition to create a garden that matched or even surpassed the home itself inspired the idea of an L-shaped plan that would shelter the backyard from two perpendicular street frontages. While one wing was designed to accommodate a garage,...
Architectural Digest •

Inside BILT Rewards founder Ankur Jain and former WWE wrestler Erika Hammond's home in NYC

Also read: A retired couple’s home in Bengaluru becomes a quiet ode to neoclassicism and memoryThe thing about designing a home for a couple, especially one as creatively distinct as Jain and Hammond—he breathes technology, she’s a former beauty queen and the founder of STRONG by Erika, a boxing-inspired fitness app—is finding a way to hold a mirror to who they are individually, and who they are together. As Mehlre explains, “Ankur and Erika represent the perfect fusion of intellectual sophistic...
The Local Project •

Articolo Studios’ New Melbourne Flagship Showroom by Studio Goss

Though defined by angular volumes, the showroom possesses an earthy quality, an approach that reflects the nature of the objects it houses: all of Articolo Studio’s lighting features brass as a base metal, with some pieces finished in bronze. The space reflects the studio’s focus on the inherent beauty of the materials featured in its ranges. “We create lighting and a complement of sculptural furn...
Elle Decor •

[Print] Objects of Obsession: Chennai Apartment by Samir Wadekar

When he isn’t busy styling or decorating spaces, Samir Wadekar likes to disappear into antiques stores — on the lookout for curious objects, not conversation. “I go for the things, not the people,” he jokes. But once every six years, fate throws in a bonus. “We first met by chance at an antiques store in Mumbai nearly six years ago, and instantly bonded over our mutual love for the past,” says Samir of his encounter with the Chennai-based entrepreneur and art collector Jaiveer Johal. As it turned out, the pair had a lot in common, sharing a penchant for vintage, Wedgwood, Indian art, and the 1979 British series Antiques Roadshow, preferably on repeat.
Elle Decor •

[Print] Volume, Light & Quiet: A Home in Hyderabad by NA Architects

Anyone who knows Niroop Reddy, or has, at the very least, experienced one of his ambitious designs, knows that the Hyderabad-based architect, for better or for worse, has a penchant for packing double the punch. “It’s always for the better,” smiles the founder and principal architect of NA Architects, who remains faithful to a more-is-more approach. Although, if his latest Hyderabad project—a 9,600-square-foot show villa—is anything to go by, more, at least in terms of volume, can sometimes equal less. His restraint from excess, on this occasion, is characterised by the double-height void that punctuates the central living area: a hallmark that has come to define his studio over the past decade, and one that proved particularly fortuitous for this project, which he undertook alongside principal interior designer Rupana Reddy.
The Local Project •

Gantri’s Consciously Crafted Lighting

From nebulous table lamps to traffic-signal-inspired floor lights, each Gantri piece is a sculptural statement that empowers self-expression and channels an unexpected whimsy that feels both contemporary and timeless. Its design language, paired with its eco-conscious ethos – each light is crafted from a biodegradable, plant-based polymer derived from sustainably grown, non-GMO sugarcane – has made it a firm favourite in the A&D world. Gantri lighting has featured in Time, Dezeen and Architectur...
Domino •

This Scuba-Loving Couple’s Florida Home Makes a Case for Kelp Green

For one scuba-loving couple, trading city life in Washington, D.C., for the laid-back rhythm of High Springs, Florida—a town famed for its turquoise springs and storybook charm—was a chance to keep the water close, and its magic even closer. To them, a home inspired by those crystal pools felt like the perfect place to begin. The only snag? They had no idea how to bring it to life. What they did have, though, was the perfect blank slate: a forgotten workshop separated from the main house by a ha...
Architectural Digest •

This store in Hyderabad is inspired by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat

If this store in Hyderabad were a movie set, the customers would naturally be the protagonist. “Which is why it had to inspire an atmosphere that makes people feel great about what they are buying,” says Dev. For him, that looked like jharokha-inspired backdrops and dazzling open displays, arranged so as to blur the distinction between merchandise and mise-en-scène—where every sari feels like part of the narrative, not just a product on a rail. Dev puts a finer point on the subject. “Every conve...
Architectural Digest •

In this Chennai home, hotel-like luxury meets heartfelt design

James Stephen, Managing Director of the Clinton Group of Hotels, is no stranger to the art of fine living. But, as he realised early last year, delighting others is far easier a feat than delighting himself. “Every time I received a quote, I’d have to take a glass of water to calm myself down,” says the Chennai-based entrepreneur. “Then I’d call Varsha to discuss it…only to be told to take another glass because this was just fifty per cent of the quote.” The Varsha in question was Varsha Menon,...
The Local Project •

Kastex’s Sublime Architectural Wall Finishes - Product Feature - The Local Project

For architectural wall finishes brand Kastex, no two walls are alike. The Melbourne-based, family-run company has long upheld an ethos of craftsmanship, creativity and customisation, treating every surface as a blank canvas and an opportunity to tell a tactile story. Sustainable materials and methods underscore its commitment to responsible design, ensuring beauty never comes at the expense of the environment.
The Local Project •

Blind Dormer House by Anya Moryoussef Architect

Anything Anya Moryoussef Architect touches feels like an optical illusion – or, at the very least, becomes one over time. Blind Dormer House – a 1920s home in Toronto’s Wychwood neighbourhood, rejuvenated a few years ago – is a compelling case in point. While preserving its pre-war identity, in both profile and materiality, the designer subtly reconfigures the interior, turning the home away from the street and toward a view that had been hiding in plain sight all along: a grand, century-old oak tree. In renovating the heritage structure, practice principal Anya Moryoussef introduced additions so deftly integrated that it’s difficult to discern where – or even whether – the old meets the new. A contemporary home was inserted between the original gable ends, forming a two-and-a-half-storey volume with a mirror-image roofline that blends effortlessly into the streetscape. As Moryoussef puts it, “it’s reinvented by a brush with surrealism.”
The Local Project •

St Kilda Hill House by Robson Rak

A few years ago, St Kilda Hill House – named after the eponymous Melbourne beachside suburb – was a shadow of its former self. The Victorian terrace had lived many lives, including as a language school and a call centre, with each iteration gradually stripping away a piece of its original character. Robson Rak was enlisted to restore the home to its former glory, thoughtfully reversing the effects of time – a challenge the practice embraced wholeheartedly. Kathryn Robson, co-founder and principa...
Vogue •

Surat-based designer Priyanka Shah is building furniture that looks like it walked out of a storybook

When she isn’t in her studio thinking about what to make, Priyanka Shah likes to send her imagination to faraway lands, past wispy clouds and azure waters. When she is in her studio, those dreams take on tangible form—wooden half-tunnels for storing pencils and pens, prayer wheels à la Tibetan monasteries and French-style carousels inspired by gaushalas, castles and Rajasthani folktales. The Surat-based product designer, who graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York, has one rule: never dream the same dream again. Which means no two of her creations are the same.
The Local Project •

Baya Unveils its First Australian Showroom

New Zealand soft furnishing brand Baya has unveiled its first Australian showroom, a calming space in Melbourne’s Richmond that invites customers to experience its offerings under one roof. Baya’s first showroom in Australia, a 270-square-metre space in the design hub of Richmond in Melbourne, embodies the New Zealand soft furnishing brand’s ethos at every turn – a calm, refined showroom that puts the spotlight firmly on Baya’s natural fibre collection. This ranges from rugs made from premium New Zealand wool and hand-woven cushions to textured throws and thoughtfully crafted outdoor pieces.
Architectural Digest •

Tour a Country Manor in Beverly Hills That Evokes the Romantic French Countryside

Maybe it’s because the homeowners are creatives themselves or because designer and clients were both on the same dramatic wavelength, but there was one wild idea that everyone agreed to early on. “We floated the idea of painting tiny birds in secret spots around the house, but worried it might feel like a children’s room gone rogue,” says one owner. Lucky for everyone, the worry was short-lived, and the design team let the idea take flight—if not as literal birds, at least in what they represent...
Architectural Digest •

This Bengaluru apartment feels like a slice of quiet paradise

Sometimes the best decision wasn’t what to add, but what to leave out. It came down to knowing when to pause and let the space speak for itself,” reflects Kashyap. The art—or lack thereof—in the passage of this Bengaluru apartment is a case in point. Machangada adds: “We wanted a wall lined with family photos in the passage, but Pooja suggested keeping it clean and highlighting just a single statement piece at the end. The idea transformed the space.” What the home lacks in colour, it more than...
Architectural Digest •

Andblack Design Studio’s Loop series explores the idea of infinity through form

If there is a special talent of Andblack Design Studio, it is to imagine a building and a bulb in the same breath. “Spatial and furniture design are two sides of the same coin,” says Jwalant Mahadevwala, founder and principal designer of the Ahmedabad-based interdisciplinary studio, whose idiosyncratic Weltanschauung continues to shape its multifaceted practice. The studio’s latest Loop series—comprising a swing, a console and a serpentine light—is a collection of curved curiosities that embody the concept of infinity. Each is sculptural yet functional, sitting at the intersection of architecture and art.
Architectural Digest •

Craftsmanship meets innovation in the Dash pendant lamp by Italian brand Ghidini 1961

Let there be light—or perhaps not. That seems to be the ethos behind American architect and designer Johanna Grawunder’s Dash light, a sculptural piece that commands attention whether switched on or off, made for Italian furniture and lighting brand Ghidini 1961. Suspended from a bar, the angular pendant lamp has a rhythmic sequence of translucent grey cast acrylic panels, their upper edges softly aglow. Debuting at Salone del Mobile 2025 in Milan, the luminaire filters light in a geometric danc...
Vogue •

Sudha Reddy on being a billionaire with couture and a conscience

Every so often, businesswoman and philanthropist Sudha Reddy’s Instagram inbox buzzes with an unexpected message: someone requesting a Rolex or a Rolls-Royce. “It’s one of the biggest misconceptions associated with me,” says the Hyderabad-based business baroness, not a little irked, referring to her forcibly bestowed ‘billionaire philanthropist’ label. “This misjudgment of both my wealth and my philanthropic mission can be frustrating.” To be fair, Reddy has always been a bit of an enigma. Last year, she appeared at the Met Gala wearing a 180-carat diamond necklace and an exquisite ivory silk gown by Tarun Tahiliani realised by a team of 80 artisans over 4,500 man-hours. And in May this year, Reddy, who was recently named Global Ambassador for the Miss World Organisation, opened the doors to her palatial Hyderabad residence for the Miss World 2025 Beauty With a Purpose Gala.
The Local Project •

Hommeboys’ Sonoma Residence by Hommeboys Interiors

Once a derelict barn situated within a family compound in California’s Sonoma countryside, Hommeboys’ Sonoma Residence mines inspiration from its 1970s vintage while accommodating a comfortable residence, showroom and studio for its owners.
Nestled in a 1.2-hectare family estate burgeoning with vineyards, gardens, chickens and bees, Hommeboys’ Sonoma Residence flows naturally into its bucolic surroundings. Homeowners and principals of Hommeboys Interiors Alex Mutter-Rottmayer and Austin Carrier...
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In Print

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Architectural Digest •

AD Visits: Diipa Büller-Khosla's canal house in Amsterdam is a postcard from 1614

Even from 6,000 kilometres away, Diipa Büller-Khosla’s energy is palpable through the screen. It’s morning where she is, and she and her husband and business partner, Dutch former diplomat, Oleg Büller-Khosla (the couple legally adopted each other's last names when they married in 2018) are perched in the kitchen of their Amsterdam home, in the company of their pet pooches, Kubii and Bimbo.

By their own admission, it’s a scene that just a few years ago, was a figment of their imagination. “We'd
Architectural Digest •

AD Visits: Ishaan Khatter’s Mumbai apartment is a sunset sanctuary

When he isn't busy filming or promoting or air-dashing off to exotic locales, Ishaan Khatter likes to appreciate the little things in life. “On Sunday mornings, when time permits, I slip off for a bike ride. In the evenings, I like to watch the sunset with some music and coffee,” says the actor, who was last seen in supernatural comedy Phone Bhoot, alongside Katrina Kaif and Siddhant Chaturvedi. So when he moved in a three-bedroom apartment along the Bandra sea face, naturally, his first priorit
Architectural Digest •

AD Visits: Actor Aahana Kumra’s Mumbai apartment is a pretty-in-pink princess pad

In a building full of identical brown doors, Aahana Kumra's entrance is the only non-brown curiosity. "I absolutely love pink. It's my all-time favourite colour—that's why it's right at the front," she laughs, holding open the candyfloss-coloured opuscule as she ushers me inside. For Kumra, the home is a manifestation twenty years in the making, and one that nods equally to her Lucknowi roots and her life in Mumbai. "There are whiffs of Kashmir, London and Delhi too. It's a collection of all my
Architectural Digest •

AD Visits: Actor Aparshakti Khurana’s Mumbai home displays drama in the details

Even before they had finalised their house, or decided who would design it, actor Aparshakti Khurana and his wife, events entrepreneur Aakriti Ahuja, had a chandelier picked out and stowed away in storage. "I had spotted it some years ago in Delhi and just knew I had to buy it," laughs Aakriti, and Aparshakti chimes in, "We had no idea what our future house would look like. Nothing was set in stone, except this big, blue bhaisahab." The bhaisahab in question now occupies a corner of their living
Architectural Digest •

AD Visits: Singer Armaan Malik’s Mumbai home is halfway between London and Los Angeles

At 10 AM on a Sunday, the last thing you'd expect is for Armaan Malik to be crisping the edges of a frittata. And yet, that's exactly the sight that greets me as I step into his kitchen, a California-cool bolthole with a London-esque edge. "I love making breakfast and treating myself to a good spread," he says, drizzling butter on bruschettas. Dressed in a casual button-up and chinos, he looks like a laid-back version of his on-screen alter ego, who, as fans of The Voice (on which Armaan appears
Architectural Digest •

AD Visits: Actors Aditya Seal and Anushka Ranjan’s newlywed nest is a storybook come to life

At the door of actors (and newlyweds) Aditya Seal and Anushka Ranjan Seal's new Mumbai duplex, the nameplate is conspicuous by its absence. What is not is the cheery (LED) baby seal that takes its place, animating the wall and nodding to its namesake owners. “It's fun to watch people guess," says Anushka. "Those who get it, get it. And it makes for a great conversation-starter." But the unlikely sea creature isn’t the only thing setting the entryway apart—because if the peach-toned front door (a