By IE
From fish hide to African ebony, this store in Sainik Farms gives opulent, modern furniture a fresh touch


When sisters Raajeeta and Mahicka Gupta decided to experiment with the furniture business a decade ago, choices were few and modern, straight lined designs were just about coming into vogue. “No one was doing imported, niche furniture and we felt there was a market for it,” says Raajeeta, 33, at the preview of their latest line of furniture- Paris 1925 at their flagship store at Kariappa Marg.

The two eventually teamed up with an Italian designer and launched the House of Raro at Sainik Farms. By the time they parted ways with the designer a few months later, the House of Raro had managed to carve a distinct niche for itself. “Raro means rare in Italian. It was a little ambitious to call our store so, but we try and provide authentic designer furniture,” she continues.

The sprawling store at Sainik Farms looks like a modern day museum where rare pieces of delicate furniture jostle for centrestage. The silhouettes are straightlined with a hint of French art-deco influence. There’s a geometric precision to the works. The woodwork is often inlaid with intricate detailing, using silver, brass and bronze, and even has leather set against the finely carved wood. The ornate pieces give the impression of being precious heirlooms.

The prices however, are not for the faint hearted. They vary from Rs 50,000 for a chair or sofa made from rare wood like African ebony or Brazilian rosewood. Many of them have been modelled on designs immortalised by one of France’s favourite furniture designers, JacquesEmile Ruhlmann. “We use a rare mix of materials that are now in fashion in apparel and accessories, ” says Raajeeta pointing at a coffee table, which has been inlaid with the hide of a stingray fish. “Louis Vuitton and Fendi have recently started using these for their handbags and other accessories. We decided to craft furniture pieces using it,” she smiles. Judging by how the jetset flock to Vuitton in Delhi, selling this should be a cinch. Latest Photos – Reuters Hezbollah denies Israeli rocket… Cameroon finds Kenya plane, no word o Conservative Sarkozy to be France’ U.S. Democrats stand firm on Iraq tro » More Photos Latest Videos – IBNlive.com What in the name of God is wrong Godmen turn conmen,