Articulated with finesse

interior

Furniture is the backdrop of our life. Our furnishing needs change as our lives go through changes both big and small. Going beyond the basics, the furniture is also for expressing our sense of style. And to define that sense of style, we need someone with the expertise who can translate that style into a tangible form.

Lahore-based furniture designer, Anam Yasir, has been into the business of designing furniture for six years now when she launched her label ‘Shifra by Anam Yasir’. She believes that the reason her furniture stands out is the fact that it is for everyone. It’s customisable, user-friendly and always has a story to be narrated. Anam’s interest in the field developed when she found out that she has always been inclined towards structure and finesse, which then articulated very well in her love for interior designing.

Anam has done 15 exhibitions so far, both nationally and internationally, and has also showcased in Dubai and UK. Her recent exhibition renders the unique charm of contemporary furniture with a fusion of Asian classics. “My latest collection is an embodiment of contemporary furniture but it envisions traces of tradition, narrating a story of sorts. It’s about comfort with the perfect tinge of timelessness,” she shares.

When you change or remodel a home, the old furniture may not look right or even fit. If you move far from your present home, the new climate and surroundings might call for a completely different way to furnish. Depending on the new home, you may need furniture that is different in size or style. Nowadays, we have seen a radical change in people’s choices. They have broken away from the trend of monochromatic tones and have been swooning over pop-furniture, with one piece standing out and the rest complementing it. Bright neons like orange, yellow, deep pink are hot favourites these days. And this is how Anam likes it; it’s one of the reasons why this is also very prominent in each piece at Shifra. “My favourite piece from the collection is the fancy tables. They are slightly different from the usual ones you see in the markets. The way the support and legs have been designed make them look chic and up to the trend,” she elaborates.

Regarding current trends in the international market, she explains, “Keeping home furnishing and accessories in mind, the market trends are very flaky, always changing with the wind. Currently, home accessorising and furnishing is all about modern spacey furniture with homely quirks here and there.”

In the past few years, there has been a boom in designer furniture. It may be because people are becoming more fashion-conscious when it comes to furnishing their homes or believe that they will only find quality if the item is expensive. When asked about her opinion on this, Anam says, “It’s a mix of both - some people buy furniture only because it’s branded and some really dig modern trending pieces. It just depends on which lot you’re a part of. Moreover, expensive pieces should not always be the necessity. One can always add the oomph where needed. But, as a designer, my focus is around creativity and making it as trendier as possible,” she elucidates.

To deck up your spaces, Anam shared some useful tips. “Always mix up tones and pieces; you never know what you will create. Experiment with colours and trendy furniture pieces!” she recommends. Moreover, to keep up with what’s new, Anam advises moving around, setting appointment with interior designers and learning about your style will help.

Anam’s own house has a decor that is warm, homely with the perfect touch of modernity. She is mainly inspired by Le Corbusier, a French-Swiss architect, who is famous for putting tradition and new designs all at one place. This also explains the hint of experimentation that exudes from each piece from her collection. “I don’t like curtailing myself with trademarks that restricts creativity,” she tells.

For the future, Anam’s new furniture collection is lined up. Let’s see what else she is going to offer.