The Topiwalas: A couple of design lessons in Room For More Art

Abir Pothi presents Room For More Art —a series of features on interior designers across geographic boundaries, discussing with them the nuances of their profession, their methods of sourcing and projecting art into their work, the challenges they face, and a whole lot more perspective.

Meeti Shroff Topiwala and Neeket Topiwala: Integrating art with a user\’s vision for any space

$\"\"$ Working in perfect tandem, Meeti Shroff Topiwala and Neeket Topiwala are both partners and co-founders of a design forward studio specializing in interiors and landscapes, which quite simply aims to create places that enhance the human experience while being rare, beautiful and functional. Together, the Topiwalas bring an interesting blend of balance to running their firm Fables Designs in Surat, where Meeti is the principal designer and creative spark, while Neeket is the project management consultant who looks into execution of ideas with expertise. Both believe that designers are essentially like storytellers and each space is a tale waiting to be written — but also that systematic estimation and execution go hand in hand with aesthetics, to deliver any project successfully. Their company has worked on varied projects, right from designing a weekend villa in the lap of nature to an artistic residential abode, or a chartered accountants’ office and learning space, and a homeopathy clinic peppered with vibrant Indian art. Art, they clarify, goes absolutely hand in hand with any project from its very inception. They also believe in gaining an in-depth understanding of what is needed from any given space by a client — this, they say, helps them never need to explain the artwork included as the preferences of the users are already in-built into the planning. The holistic view of the process has helped them create a spectrum of interesting spaces — for a doctor couple who wanted relaxation from the grind of their tough routines when they reached home, the firm designed an elegant yet comfortable and soothing environment of luxury, adorned with classy pieces of art and a keen eye for space and lighting. For another person who wished to immerse in the lap of nature, an installation celebrating the elements of earth and water came together to emanate a vibe of Zen.