EDITOR’s NOTE
Architecture and interior design have always been mirrors of how we live, feel, and belong. Beyond walls and materials, they carry stories of families, routines, aspirations, and quiet moments. Among all built forms, beautiful homes hold a special place. They are deeply personal, shaped not only by design choices but by emotions, memories, and everyday rituals that turn space into sanctuary.
In this year’s finale edition of DE INDIA, we yet again celebrate the art of designing homes. Spaces that go beyond shelter to become true reflections of life within. Designing a home is, in many ways, an artistic pursuit: one that balances proportion, material, light, and feeling. Extending this dialogue on art and space, we also turn our gaze toward Art d’Égypte, where ten artists presented monumental sculptural works set against the timeless backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza. Art, architecture, and landscape converged in a spectacle of scale and soul—views that are impossible to forget.
As an Editor, I’ve always believed in sharing perspectives that matter, topics that go beyond trends and speak to the heart of design itself. This edition, the conversation I felt compelled to explore is ‘Design and Emotions’. For decades, design has been judged by two measures: function and form. Does it work? Does it look good? Today, a third dimension has emerged—how does it make us feel? We are entering an era where emotional resonance is just as important as efficiency or aesthetics. Homes are no longer just designed to be lived in; they are designed to be felt.
Our cover story features a serene, cocoon-like floating home by Wallmakers in Karjat, Gujarat—an architectural expression of material innovation, restraint, and calm. Continuing the dialogue on sensory experience, we explore Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026. A shade that signals renewal, purity, and a quiet fresh start. As part of our design narratives, brands like This and That present a poetic furniture collection inspired by the craftsmanship of Odisha’s artisans, while conversations with boundary-pushing creatives from across India reveal their deeply personal interpretations of what makes a perfect home.
As you take a walkthrough through the design oriented streets of this edition, I hope this issue encourages you to look at homes and design itself with renewed sensitivity. In a world that moves fast, beautiful homes remind us to slow down, to feel, and to connect. May these stories inspire you to seek spaces that comfort, uplift, and resonate, because the most meaningful design is the kind that stays with you, long after you’ve left the room.
Let’s Talk Design with DE. Happy Reading.
Cheers!!
– Anirudh Datta
(Editor-in-Chief at Design Essentia Magazine)
