Sarah Najmi Bilgrami, gifted architect and creative director of the interior design studio, Yoc’a, welcomes us into her charming showroom, walking us through the corners, which hold her dearest designs
Amidst a bustling commercial area resides Yoc’a’s tranquil studio. As soon as we step in, we feel a sense of warmth, the kind of warmth one would only expect from a home. Our charismatic host, Sarah Najmi Bilgrami welcomes us in, insisting we try her office’s hot cup of coffee. Convinced, we settle down on one of the contemporary black leather sofas situated in a corner.
We quickly discover that the display is of one of the many bridal packages Yoc’a is offering to brides and grooms, for their bridal suites. The interior primarily consists of timeless pieces, which can be rearranged in a variety of ways, but also includes a few statement accent pieces, which add character to the space. “In our interiors we don’t match, we show people how to put things together; I think that is Yoc’a’s strength. Generally this is a stressful time for a bride or a groom, and this makes it easier for them,” says Bilgrami. The brand known for it’s high-gloss polishes, and fine-quality materials, exemplifies just that through its interiors. It is not modern or stark, but simply luxurious. “I love how we don’t have a matching mirror. It is black and white with a hint of gold, not anything that will disrupt anyone, and the way we live after marriage, that is very important,” she continues.
We take a walk around the exquisite studio, eyeing one tasteful piece after another. The furniture is lavish, yet comfortable and familiar, a combination rare to come by. Though essentially classic, the more we examine the items, we realise the meanings, and staggering details of each piece. “One of my favourites is the dresser, because it’s larger than life, and the proportions are just stunning. We’ve done an ombré finish in all natural stain — if you look on one side, it’s darker than the other.”
While we get a closer look at the Henry VIII-style console, she happily shares that though she is emotional about all her pieces, there are certain items that hold a special place in her heart. One such piece is named, ‘The Amoeba’. “I would call it a labour of love. We were roaming in the markets, and saw people disposing large chunks of wood, only keeping certain parts. Some people don’t understand the integrity of material, because that part of the trunk is superb! It’s the part that holds all the veins together, its truly beautiful. So we decided to let it age and do its thing, and once it was done, we lightly stained it. This experiment later turned into a whole series,” she shares.
On our walk around the studio, we spot a contemporary coffee table, with old school antiquing. We stop and study the unconventional table, held together with screws that can be adjusted to any configuration. Upon questioning, Bilgrami shares another noteworthy story. “For this project we found our own wood, and torched it. As they aged, they cracked differently. That’s why we call it the ‘Burnt Coffee Table’, as we burnt it to create it. This was another experiment that I wanted to try,” she smiles.
Furniture that is made so sincerely is difficult to come by, so we ask the mastermind behind it, where she gets her inspiration from. “I am inspired every single day. It could be my travels, a painting, music or this very conversation. I want my furniture to speak volumes of luxury, and I like keeping up with international trends while retaining and reviving tradition,” she says.
The showroom is proof of Bilgrami’s talent and passion. Each piece serves as a testament to her creative spirit. Curious to know which pieces made it to her home, we pose the question. “A lot of them! My house is being renovated right now, and many pieces here are inspired by the techniques that I’m taking into my house,” she explains.
As we make our way out, we recall the warmth we had felt upon entering, and conclude that the feeling was not only present due to our gracious host, but also because of the carefully crafted, phenomenal furniture in our company.
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