‘Carpe’nter diem for your haven

Mumbai-based artist and creative head of Furniturewalla, Laila Khan talks about art, design, motherhood and marriage

There is calmness to her demeanor that instantly appeals. The soft-spoken Laila Khan Furniturewalla, a graduate from London’s Slade School of Fine Art has exhibited her paintings all over the globe. Art clearly is her first love, a fact that she reiterates constantly. Laila’s latest series is an abstract projection of Lord Ganesha in gold leaf and acrylic. “Divinity is very abstract and hence Lord Ganesha is projected very definitively, but I wanted the mystical element to come through in a more abstract manner in my Ganesha series,” she states.

Right now, she is reveling in motherhood and enjoying bringing up her one-and a-half- year old son Zaan, “It is the name of a Dutch river in Holland,” she reveals, adding, “All the names with Z have been taken over by the family, so I researched for a European Name,” she says.

Laila is actively involved in her husband Farhan’s furniture business, and the couple travels abroad extensively to source products. “We believe in showcasing pieces that we would personally pick up for our home. That’s why Farhan and I travel together to countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Indonesia and even parts of India,” says Laila who generously credits her husband for teaching her the ropes. “I am an artist. Farhan’s family has been in the furniture business for over 100 years. In 1999, he branched out on his own and has set up stores across India. I’ve learnt a lot from him and the stores are a reflection of our personal choices as we are both passionate people and its not just about money,” she reveals.

Despite her artistic background, Laila has a strong understanding of market conditions in India. “We are a price-sensitive country. Farhan and I realised that while there are high-end brands who charge an arm or leg and low class stores, there was a vacuum for the design-conscious individual, who has taste, is educated and has exposure to world trends and is looking for a good fit. Where does this person buy from That is where we come in. We are going to enter the e-commerce space next year, where our products will be available online,” she reveals.

Farhan and Laila work in tandem with each other. “I’ve brought in my artistic sensibility to the brand. But I’m not confused about this. He knows his business well. I’m grateful to Farhan that he has been very open, involved, patient and has welcomed me into his world. We mostly agree on everything,” she adds.

But unlike most couples, who refer to each other as friends, Laila doesn’t want her husband to become her best friend. “I already have a best friend. I want Farhan to be my lover,” she lets out, with faint laughter.

Laila is soaking in the joys of motherhood right now. “I was painting upto the time I was three months pregnant and was even working for a show in Dubai. I have gotten out of myself and was focusing on another individual. It has made me faster and happier. Right now, I am very involved in the upbringing of my son. He is a delightful boy and these are the formative years and the bonding has to happen. I am going to show my work in the near future,” she asserts.