SHOPPING

STUNNERS for your living room

A BEAUTIFUL centrepiece with glass and stainless steel bottom for Rs. 59,000. Another, with a glass top resting on bent crystal, for Rs. 45,000. Yet another made of 150-year-old Burma teak at Rs. 58,000. And a leather sofa set to go with any of these for a lakh or two.

Started five years back, Designo houses exclusive leather furniture and stunning centrepieces, side tables and other accessories most of which are either imported or crafted here reflecting unique designs that can be contemporary, traditional, or a mix of both.

The leather furniture is, however, custom made to cater to individual tastes. The designs for the sofas are both contemporary as well as classical. "Quite a large number still opt for the Victorian style," says Maruthi Rao, Managing Partner, Designo. The range of leather furniture extends to lounge seats, armchairs and recliners besides the sofas, not to mention the omnipresent beanbags. When you seat yourself in one of the special leather recliners with a footrest, the soft leather hugs you and it is pure bliss as you close your eyes and let the comfort seep into you.

The leather used is imported, mostly Italian. "Indian leather is not structured for upholstery. They are smaller in size and suitable only for garments and accessories. Italian leather, with a different tanning process, is specially suited for upholstery," says Rao. The best leather money can buy is Swedish Montano. Every square inch of this leather is different with totally natural grain formation that improves with age. "This leather easily lasts up to 25 to 30 years if maintained well," says Rao.

The accessories on display at Designo include consoles, coffee tables, corner pieces and exclusive lampshades besides centrepieces. Designo also houses a variety of massage products that include foot massagers, eye care products, and special massage chairs. After a hard day's work, all you need to do is settle down in a massage chair and press the buttons. If you are a techie, spending hours before the computer, the eye massager is the answer for your pounding temples and tired eyes, says Rao.

Rao says that there is a significant market for exclusive and expensive stuff in our hip and happening city. "Our clientele includes Azim Premji, Narayan Murthy, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, both present and former chief ministers and the Wadiyars. It also extends to expats, CEOs of leading companies besides young software professionals. A significant part of our market covers professionals in the age group of 30-37 years. This is the age group wanting the best in everything. The cost is secondary to them," he says.

Designo is situated on Mission road and can be reached at 22247143/ 22998895.

NANDHINI SUNDAR

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