Elegantly vintage

interiors

This week You! takes a look at the chic interiors of a design outlet in Karachi...

When designing a space, the most important aspect is to find the right interior designer - a person who has the same vision as you, someone who can translate your ideas into a reality. And when you find such a person, hang on to them. Anum Kasim is that very person, a gifted interior designer who puts her heart and soul into her design projects. Whether it’s revamping an already existing space or starting from scratch, this girl sure knows how to do it best. 

Initially a hobby, designing soon became a passion for Anum. That’s when she decided to open her outlet, Vintage Galleria.

“For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in designing interiors. Be it my home or my relatives’, I would end up setting spaces aesthetically.” And it would have continued on in this manner, if Anum’s cousin hadn’t intervened. “A few years ago, my cousin made me realise that I actually had the ability to design and should take it up professionally,” she shares

Once the idea had been floated, Anum started giving it more thought. Incidentally, her mother was also of the same mind and wanted Anum to start her own business. “My mother encouraged me to establish an independent design store. I’m very lucky that my mother has always supported me. She has in fact financed my business.”

In the midst of all these developments, Anum enrolled herself in the KLC School of Design in London for a short course in interior designing. That’s when the idea became a reality and Anum opened the doors of her design studio, Vintage Galleria, in the quiet yet commercial environs of Bukhari Commercial in Karachi.

Besides making interiors aesthetically pleasing, Anum specialises in manufacturing classy and elegant furniture. When asked who comes up with the offbeat designs for her creations, she apprises, “The designs are all mine. I have full control over what is being manufactured and I am the only person deciding the designs. Whenever my internees come up with a specific design, I first approve it before sending it into manufacturing.

 I personally put in a lot of effort and take pains in creating every single piece that you see in my studio. As for the price range, it’s quite affordable.” Apart from preparing customised furniture, Vintage Galleria also stocks pieces that are ready to be picked up and taken home to beautify a specific niche, room, or office. “Besides interior designing and furniture, I also stock a range of imported decor pieces, home accessories and a variety of lights which are imported from Thailand, Hong Kong and China.”

Talking about her area of expertise, Anum loves doing residential projects among others, “I am mainly involved in residential interior because I usually love doing such projects. But, I have also designed commercial offices and clinics. Be it old or new, it just doesn’t matter at the end because our job is to make every room perfect and comfortable. Every space comes with its own challenges. I have a love for interiors and furniture manufacturing. I learn new techniques every day and together with my team we are constantly striving to apply new ideas and finishing techniques to the pieces. It is a challenging process but at the same time very satisfying, especially when your designs are appreciated by clients.”

When it comes to style, this designer likes to work with something grand, “I usually work on classic and neo classic designs. It is a very tedious process when we design a furniture piece on paper and then adjusting the measurements so that it turns out perfect - exactly the way envisaged by you. I personally carry out the final polish finishes myself. I do the polish shading and gold leafing with my own hands,” she passionately adds.

One of the struggles of running a business is dealing with some difficult clients but Anum welcomes all of them. “I love all my clients - however an ideal client for any interior designer is one who does not nag or interfere during the designing process. Someone who pays on time and does not ask for too many discounts,” she laughingly says. Although, the upper middle class is her target, she personally feels that big budget clients are often difficult to handle.

Anum is quite satisfied with her business at this point in time and wishes to keep it small. “I do not wish to expand as I am running this business single-handedly. I don’t want anything to effect my efficiency as manufacturing takes up most of my time.”