Three Can’t Live Without Products

• Kassatex: How did you start designing?
• Purvi Padia: I started in the beauty fashion world straight out of college and worked as a buyer for Bloomingdale’s. I was there for a short while and then was recruited by one of the brands I bought for which was in the entrepreneurial stage. The CEO at the time gave me this huge job as the head of sales and marketing – I was maybe 22 years old. I couldn’t believe he put so much faith in me, but he believed I could do it, and that was my first real exposure to a start up and I think many years later, it’s actually what gave me the courage to start my own company. It was a crazy learning experience. While in marketing, I had the opportunity to learn about the design world as well and I quickly realized showroom design was actually the favorite part of my job. I decided to study at Parsons in NYC in the field of interior design and then launched my firm in 2008.

• Kassatex: A designers who inspires you?
• PP: The woman who has served as my greatest inspiration is Kelly Wearstler. She was a pioneer in her style of design and rather than try to fit into the design landscape, she made it a point to stand out. That energy and confidence is what I admire most.

• Kassatex: Favorite moment of the design process:
• PP: Every point in the process has a unique charm, but my favorite is watching the space come together after a long creative process. Seeing the space come alive from the initial inspiration and vision and getting to experience it through the client’s eyes is the most gratifying thing.

• Kassatex: Favorite room to design?
• PP: My favorite room is always where the family gathers – whether it’s the kitchen, the family room, or the living room. I thrive on creating spaces
  that welcome conversation, encourage human connection and that will be the backdrop of memories being made.

• Kassatex: Three classic paint colors you always use:
• PP: I don’t use a ton of color, in the traditional sense. I want points of interest to come from shapes, materials, finishes, and textures.

• Kassatex: A bathroom must always include:
• PP: Marble and a statement light!

• Kassatex: What is currently on your bedside table?
• PP: My kindle, a huge bottle of water, Lara Devgan gummy vitamins, and always fresh cut flowers.

• Kassatex: First thing you do in the morning:
• PP: Kiss my kids and then make a traditional homemade Indian tea using a recipe my mom gave to me that has been passed down for generations.

• Kassatex: How important is it to fully design a room, accent pieces to major elements, or do you allow a room to grow with evolving tastes and items?
• PP: I always emphasize the importance of details with my clients. The first thing I do when we confirm a budget for a project is put a certain percentage of that aside for the accessories and accents as they are just as important as the grounding pieces.

• Kassatex: Forever favorite hotel:
• PP: Hotel de Crillon, Paris.

• Kassatex: 3 decor trends you wish would disappear:
• PP: I never really subscribe to the idea of trends when it comes to interiors. Interiors are not like fashion – people don’t change their homes every season. So I feel strongly about creating homes that are trend free yet still very of the moment. The best design feels current but also withstands the test of time.

• Kassatex: Favorite cost-effective brands you love to use when mixing high/low:
• PP: Forom, Eternity Modern, CB2, and Garage Collective.

• Kassatex: Most exciting moment of your career thus far:
• PP: Being the cover feature of LUXE Magazine for my family’s Bridgehampton Summer Home.

• Kassatex: Finish this sentence; When in doubt in design add…
• PP: Texture!