A few kilometers outside Delhi, as you drive through the posh gated farmhouses of Chattarpur you reach a small village called Jonapur. Tucked in the interiors of this rustic village is an old haveli, reminding us of colonial India. With its large blue wooden doors and seemingly impenetrable walls, the haveli tells a tale of almost a century. From the British Raj to the migration that accompanied the India-Pakistan partition to its modern day makeover, the building has seen the India’s transformation and is in itself more than just a brick and a mortar structure.
When Kuldeep Kaur, who has been in the business of design and textile for past 15 years, lay her eyes on the building, it was an instant connection. After almost a year’s restoration, the haveli was transformed into an oasis, a beautiful state of art restorative space where you can find antiques from all over the globe, a cafe which provides a great switch-off for all the busy city dwellers and most of all a home like an ambiance. From vintage mirror frames to stunning silk cushions you will find everything that can help your living space brighten up.
As we set out to explore this one of a kind space, founder, Kuldeep Kaur tells us about her inspirations, her fascination with antiques and much more.
1.Beautiful rare collectibles under one roof. From where did you get the idea to start this one of a kind space?
K.K: Setting it up has been a rather ” Serendipitous ” experience for us. Almost a decade ago – I landed up in Morocco alone, in the middle of the night, not expecting to travel alone to a country that was so new then. As I walked through the narrow dark deserted lanes of Fez to my hotel-( it was past 1’o clock- in the morning) – with the cabby who offered to escort me as I wouldn’t find it otherwise- I was quite nervous.But what awaited me- as we rang the bell and the door was opened by this young American guy was worth all the effort.
Dar Seffarine was a jewel in the middle of the ghettos of Fez, beautiful and just so breathtaking. Lovingly restored by Kate and Ala- it really felt like a home away from home- it had this something which just embraced you instantly.
I think this experience must have been so close to me somewhere as this really is what happened with our store Serendipity which we launched in march 2014.
2. How has traveling influenced you as a curator and a creative??
K.K: “Travel” is always a good thing. It’s a great self-evolving and self-learning and unlearning process, a great enchanting way to learn about other countries, people and their art, history, and culture. There is so much beauty all around us and I think this has to lead us to have a very global eclectic approach in our design and curatorial philosophy. All of this is visible in the way our store has been curated and put together. From Mexican otomi prints and embroideries to Mughal block printed textiles and vintage art deco furniture and lighting. All of which tie in very well together in-spite of being so different.
3. Tell us a little about the creative process involved in the making of Serendipity.
K.K: The haveli is in Jonapur, in Delhi’s Chattarpur area which, unlike so many urban villages of Delhi, is very calm and untouched. You need to drive up to it as there is very limited public transportation available.We were renting the space as did many others before us- for a long time- for our textile business and when we first set our eyes on it 8 years ago- we knew somewhere instantly what the ” then neglected ” place could be turned into- seeing the structure, large courtyard, and big gates.
The place was massive and all we had to do was restore it back to its original identity.
It didn’t quite happen for a long time as it was never a prerogative then- but having been in the textile and design world for the last 15 years- I just needed another creative outlet for myself.
We decided to put to use our ” vision” of years before, of what this place could be turned into and pretty much gutted down the place leaving the structure intact.
After more than a year of restoration, the haveli finally got some of its lost glory. We thought we should open a regular store in it but as we starting working on doing up the interiors, we realized the place could not be a regular ” store”, it had to be something more.
Serendipity, today is a concept store, a home away from home, an oasis of peace,tranquility and beautiful products everywhere besides of course the large courtyard where you can just put your feet up and relax and perhaps soon enjoy an evening of light classical or fusion music, meet friends and just get transported back to another time .
At the moment, our focus really is to build greater awareness about the store and the unique experience it offers. Fingers crossed, we hope to grow the brand internationally and domestically and hopefully open a few more stores in the city.
4. You have created a store cum restorative space in a haveli. What fascinates you about Indian antiques?
K.K: I like everything that is old, art deco, retro, the stories these objects tell of a certain lifestyle and way of life, no longer prevalent in most places and the urge to somehow hang on to those times gone by. This is what really fascinates me.
5. What are your favorite pieces from the store?
K.K: I am particularly fond of all the art deco furniture and lighting, not to mention the vintage Chinese glass paintings which are my personal favorites.
6. Tell us about a few events that you host at the store.
K.K: Serendipity is essentially a concept store, so the experience is as important as the products we sell. We have been hosting our annual ” Color me Autumn” festival of art, design, and music every year which has only been growing and much awaited in the design community. We have a great fondness for design, art, history, music, culture and most of our events are in that sphere.. we recently hosted a book reading by Aseem Chhabra on his book latest biography on Shashi Kapoor.
