The Restaurant Interior Reflects A Unique Blend Of Afghani & Awadhi Sensibilities With A Contemporary Essence | Komal Sachdev Designer+Planner & INC Design Studio
“A perfectly presented Cuisine with appropriate garnishing which can tickle your taste buds just the right amount and leave you astonished with every bite is all a foodie needs. This entire experience is captured and given life through this Restaurant Interiors designed and executed by Komal Sachdev Designer + Planners and Inc Design Studio. Mixing the Awadhi and Afghani design language carefully, the outcome plays with your perception of the place. Given utmost attention to each detail from fabric of the furniture to the color of the walls, everything in this Project is appetising and to the T.” ~ Radha Hirpara (Editor)
The Frontier Post is a restaurant situated in Navi Mumbai’s MP Bhavan. It is part of a growing chain of restaurants across India, and this is its first outlet in Mumbai. The aim of designing this space was to maintain coherence in style with the other outlets while giving it a unique individuality of its own.
Visit: Komal Sachdev Designer+Planner & INC Design Studio
Since this branch of The Frontier Post is located in a commercial complex that caters primarily to a working professional crowd, the design was created to reflect a unique blend of Afghani and Awadhi sensibilities with an overarching contemporary essence. A balance was carefully brought about between traditionalism and modernity – both intricately woven carpets and sleek black lighting exist in harmony with each other in this space.
The Frontier Post is a reference to the historical North-West Frontier which was a region of the British Indian Empire. In the 18th century, this was a region uniquely steeped in culture, and an aim to bring about a culinary revival of this place in time was the driving force behind conceptualizing the restaurant. It was this rich cultural significance, coupled with the creative insights of two designers with distinct individual styles, which greatly informed the design of The Frontier Post. While Neha Changwani and Komal Sachdev run independent practices, they collaborated on this project seamlessly. Both designers combined their unique perspectives and expertise,and in doing so, brought to fruition a special creative vision.
In order to evoke a sense of curiosity within a visitor, a distinct cobalt blue colour was chosen for the door. Detailed with rivets and door knocks, even the entrance embodies charming antiquity. The door leads into an airy 1700sqft space which features a mix of both informal, low couch and fine-dine seating, as well as a bar.
Though it hasn’t been pictured, a plan to introduce outdoor seating is underway. Large, pre-existing glass walls form a part of the structure of the restaurant, seeing as it is situated on the ground floor of an industrial complex. In order to maintain a sense of privacy, black cut-out jaalis were fitted onto the glass.
The colour scheme selected for the restaurant comprised subtle contemporary tones like grey with pops of colour to reflect the traditional influences that guided the design. A visually striking monochrome fabric was selected for the chairs, that sported a maximalist Ikat print. Neutralized by solid rust orange and blue sofas, the overall impression was that of a seamless balance. In line with a more modern spirit, the walls were treated in concrete grey chalk paint, further augmented by a matte black ceiling. In an endeavour to be as mindful about resources as possible, a chunk of the furniture used in the restaurant was refurbished. A new life was leased to the couches and bar shelves through meticulous redesign and attention to detail.
While the overarching elements exhibit a more contemporary quality, the decor and art set against them are heavily influenced by Indian, and more particularly Afghani and Awadhi elements. An ornate rug custom made by The Rug Story with colours from the project’s mood board makes a striking statement as wall art, while serving as a focal point for the design. Regal portraits of the Maharajas and Maharanis of the North-West Frontier Post from the 18th century tie together beautifully the concept of the restaurant, further accented by ornate mirrors placed at regular intervals.
Apart from the black track lighting which serves a functional purpose, perforated metal jaali lights are liberally used across the restaurant in the form of pendant lamps and table lanterns that cast intricate illumination patterns on the walls. A unique visual element of interest, the knotted rope detailing which encompasses some of the hanging lights provides a deliberate break from the simplicity of the ceiling. The loose yet sculptural nature of the rope detail provides an interesting contrast to the composition of the lighting within.
In an endeavour to bring the fascinating history of the region to life, close attention was paid to even the smallest elements that added a royal flair to the ambience. From the style in which the grey sheer curtains are draped to the rope detailing on the ceiling, every aspect of the design ties into Afghani and Awadhi traditionalism.
FACT FILE:
Designed by: Komal Sachdev Designer+Planner & INC Design Studio
Project Type: Restaurant
Project Name: The Frontier Post
Location: Navi Mumbai
Year built: 2020
Size: sq feet: 1700
Principal Architect: Komal Sachdev & Neha Changwani
Photograph courtesy: phxindia
Website : https://www.komalsachdev.com/
: https://incdesign.in/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kkomalsachdev/
: https://www.facebook.com/incthedesignstudio/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksdesigner_planner/
: https://www.instagram.com/nehachangwani/
This home exudes warmth with earth tone interior design. The client, an Indian national doctor based in Jamaica, had a clear vision for his dream home in Bangalore. He wanted a plush residence that would serve as a warm and welcoming haven for his family of three, as they relocated to India. The client’s requirements […]
A 6,500-square-foot house in a peaceful Hyderabad neighbourhood tells a story through arches in interior design, light, shadow, texture, and time rather than words. Meghana Nimmagadda founded the award-winning boutique design studio Designtales, which is responsible for this most recent residential project. Designtales is well-known for its intensely individualised approach to interior design. They create […]
A 3-bedroom apartment with beige interiors hosts a Maharashtrian couple and their two daughters as its residents. The home’s main boast is its huge, full-height windows that let in ample sunlight – a fact which later became a key guiding point in designing the interior space. With Beige Interiors, This Apartment Unfolds Comfort | Agneya […]
The project with wooden interior represents more than just interior design; it was about creating an emotional bridge between two worlds. Kerala’s rich architectural heritage, with its emphasis on natural materials, intricate wooden craftsmanship, and connection to nature, needed to be thoughtfully translated into a modern urban context without losing its authentic character. Gandhi understood […]
Nestled within one of Chennai’s most sought-after and affluent neighbourhoods, The Chic Sanctuary is a quiet luxury style 2025 sq. ft. apartment that stands as a serene and stylish oasis amidst the vibrant energy of the city. Designed with a strong sense of modern sophistication and understated luxury, this home masterfully balances aesthetics with functionality, […]
In a city that rarely sleeps, this house finds calm with neutral interiors. Nestled in the buzzing heart of Mulund, Mumbai, lies a serene sanctuary where design speaks in hushed tones and emotions find form in monochrome whispers. “Whispers of White”, a residential project by Disha Maniyar, principal designer of The Next Step Interiors, is […]
In a city constantly balancing between the fast-paced and the familiar, this serene apartment for Gurjar family in Mulund unfolds like a quiet retreat. Titled The Woven Story, this 4BHK apartment was envisioned as a coming together of different individualities, tastes, and styles, an interior narrative that acknowledges contrast yet seeks cohesion. The brief was […]
The Jade House is a celebration of green interiors through colour, texture, and thoughtful functionality. A home where every design element has been carefully curated to reflect the personality of its residents while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Named after the precious jade stone, the home takes inspiration from its lush green tones, which appear gracefully […]
Tucked away in a bustling Bangalore neighbourhood, Anubhav is more than just a home—it’s a feeling, an experience. Designed for a young couple from Assam with a modern eye and a deep love for the arts, this 1500 sq. ft. three-bedroom apartment captures the essence of boho interior design through farmhouse chic living with a […]
When a client from Mumbai’s eastern suburbs—a quiet father-son duo, one of whom is a budding musician—approached us to design their home, it set the stage for a poetic confluence of two creative disciplines: architecture and music. It’s always a rare pleasure when design engages in dialogue with another form of cultural expression, and in […]