In an exclusive conversation with Deccan Chronicle, Sussanne Khan, the driving force behind The Charcoal Project, opens up about her creative journey, design inspirations, and what makes her luxury design studio in Hyderabad innovative.ExcerptsWhat made you bring The Charcoal Project to Hyderabad?I was extremely fortunate to have a great partnership with Karan Bajaj, Nafis, and Rishab. We are partners with various strengths that we bring to the table. I bring in the design, while they had a strong base in technology, home appliances, audio-visual systems, and automation systems. They were already providing these services to many people in the South and Hyderabad.When we collaborated, the idea was to bring design and technology together to technically enhance the design and create a better atmosphere. We have Hacker Kitchens, Easy Kitchens, Audio & Beyond for audio-visual, Bajaj Electronics for TVs, and ProtoPixel we have collaborated with for the fifth floor. We wanted to create a gallery that showcases a fun way to blend in technology and lighting systems into your home. I met Karan two years ago, and it’s taken us 22 months to bring together this property—The Charcoal Project Hyderabad takes birth!Your design style is described as a blend of industrial and feminine elements. Can you explain the term ‘quiet luxe’ coined by you?I have two sides to me. One side is extremely edgy and industrial, which might seem contradictory to my feminine appearance. But I am drawn to industrial and masculine forms and functions. On the other hand, I love quiet luxury, where the senses take over. It’s not just about what you see, but how you feel in that space—the smell, the touch, the emotions it evokes.I came up with the term ‘quiet luxury’ because I believe that sometimes, shiny and exuberant products can be balanced with matte and quiet ones to strike a balance between the feminine and masculine aspects. That’s what I call quiet luxury.You have created your own signature style. But you also studied interior design at Brooks, how much of it helped you in your career?It helped immensely. I would say my experience in California 35 years ago had a huge influence on my design style. I studied there for three years, and the tropical environment, beach homes, and flora and fauna inspired me. Even the desert landscapes had an impact. All these elements blended with my Indian roots to create my unique style.I am from the Konkan coast, originally from Mumbai, but my time in California, specifically the Pacific coast, has influenced me. I have blended the East and West to create my own style, which is diverse and evolves with each project. I don’t believe in sticking to one style; I adapt to my clients’ needs. To stay updated, I visit California every year to understand new trends, materials, and forms. This helps me stay in touch with the design community and incorporate new ideas into my work here.Can you share a particularly challenging or memorable project from your portfolio, and what made it stand out?All the projects I have worked on have been special, as they have helped me evolve over the years. The last few projects, which I worked on for private clients, were extremely motivating. They helped me grow and understand things better. I think that when you are happy with what you are creating, it’s essential to “ruffle up the feathers” and grow.Those projects helped me get better, sharpen my tools, and work harder. I believe that challenges, whether in work or personal life, help you adapt and grow. Whatever challenges you face, you become more accustomed to growing from them. I feel happy that I have been able to adapt and grow from my challenges.When it comes to creative process, are you open to inputs from clients?I have a strong understanding of lighting and space planning, which are my strengths. However, I believe that ultimately, it’s the clients’ space, and they need to be happy with the final result. My approach is that the client is king, and I need to adhere to their wishes while bringing in my expertise to enhance their vision.My design studio, Charcoal Project, has evolved over 14 years, and I am blessed with an exceptional team of architects, interior designers, and craftsmen. We create everything in-house, from metalwork to upholstery, and it’s a lot of coordination and hard work. But I am proud of what we have achieved, especially with Charcoal Hyderabad, where we have experimented with new materials and techniques.I couldn’t have done it without my team’s collaborative effort. They are my gladiators, and I am thankful for their support. We work together to bring my ideas to life, and there’s a lot of R&D that goes into every product. I couldn’t take absolute credit for our work, as it’s a team effort.Tell us about your collaboration with Gauri KhanGauri is a very dear friend of mine, and I think she has a distinctive style with a quotient of glamour and finesse. I thought bringing her in would add a diverse sensibility, as her style is very much her own. This would create a nice layer of offering for our Hyderabad clients, as I know her flair will be loved by many, especially in Hyderabad.I feel that bringing her in is a great benefit for Charcoal, as the collaboration will bring in more like-minded energy. I am happy we got Gauri on board, and she’s also excited about it.What decor trends do you see in 2025?I think that in 2025 onwards, people will want more warmth in their spaces. They will want deeper colors, darker woods, and a mix of old and new. They want to bring back the old world into the new world, with a touch of industrial. They don’t want everything to be super modern. They like the mix. The color palette is shifting towards earthy tones, terrain-inspired colors, and rich, natural hues.Technology is also a huge aspect. Even if you have an old-world charm property, if you don’t make it a smart space, it’s incomplete. Automation is like the heart of the home, telling the body what to do and how to function. Your home almost becomes like a person.People are also going backwards towards wholesome things. Families want to spend more time in kitchens, which are becoming important spaces. People want to see their kitchens, they want to showcase them. In our country, people will move towards this zone, making kitchens more than just a space for staff. There’s a mix of technology, trends that are warm and homely, and spaces that are more meaningful.What’s next for The Charcoal project?I am honestly so happy to be here. I want to breathe, I want to absorb, and I don’t want to think of where next. I want to be here for a while and then decide later. Yes, that’s my goal.What is it about Hyderabad you like the most?I really like the people here and the flair of how everybody is so relaxed, yet with a touch of royalty. There’s an inherent sensibility and analysis of design, which I think is influenced by our heritage and properties. Hyderabad is a progressive city, and I am so happy to be here.
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