With The Charcoal Project’s Hyderabad debut, Sussanne Khan and Gauri Khan are redefining how people experience design, conveying that it’s about spaces that evolve with the people who live in them
Technology, too, has been integrated into interiors. “Smart features aren’t just a luxury anymore; they’re a necessity,” Sussanne says. “Homes today are more intuitive and connected than ever before.” This belief is at the core of The Charcoal Project’s partnership with Bajaj Electronics.
Hyderabad just got a dose of cutting-edge luxury design courtesy Sussanne Khan and Gauri Khan. Sussanne’s pioneering design studio, The Charcoal Project, has landed in the city, marking a new chapter for her brand and a meaningful collaboration between two of India’s most influential interior designers.
For Sussanne, this expansion is significant. “Hyderabad felt like the right place for many reasons,” she says. “I have incredible partners who share my vision of blending design with innovation. But more than that, my mother worked on some truly iconic design projects here. In a way, bringing Charcoal to Hyderabad feels like carrying forward her legacy.”
The Charcoal Project Hyderabad is a design experience that blends form and function. Also, with Gauri Khan curating an entire floor, the space showcases their shared but individualistic creative philosophies.
A meeting of minds
This is the first time Sussanne and Gauri have worked together professionally, but their synergy feels effortless. “Gauri has a unique style, full of personality,” says Sussanne. “In many ways, we balance each other out, and that dynamic creates a really natural energy.”
Gauri’s contribution to The Charcoal Project is a beautifully curated selection of bespoke furniture, handcrafted artifacts, soft furnishings, and art exuding her signature aesthetic. “Hyderabad has a rich cultural heritage but is also incredibly modern and forward-thinking,” she says. “I believe the city’s audience will appreciate designs that are made in India but have an international appeal.”
Her foray into design wasn’t pre-planned. “It all started when I was asked to redesign our Delhi home,” she shares. “I was new to it, but I dived right in, creating a blueprint, bringing in experts, and curating art, accessories, and furniture to bring the space together. That experience sparked something in me. Then came Mannat, another deeply personal project that reinforced my love for design. Those early projects gave me the confidence to take it further, and that’s how Gauri Khan Designs was born.”
Minimalism and meaning
Luxury design is evolving, and both Sussanne and Gauri are at the forefront of the shift. “After years of stark minimalism, we’re seeing a return to deeper, richer tones and the warmth of darker woods,” Sussanne tells us.
Technology, too, has been integrated into interiors. “Smart features aren’t just a luxury anymore; they’re a necessity,” she says. “Homes today are more intuitive and connected than ever before.” This belief is at the core of The Charcoal Project’s partnership with Bajaj Electronics. “They came to us with a vision that was impossible to ignore,” Sussanne shares. “We’re bringing in cutting-edge automation, advanced lighting, and state-of-the-art AV solutions that meld into furniture and living spaces. It’s not just about aesthetics but how people interact with their homes.”
Gauri adds, “Great design isn’t just about how a space looks but how it feels.” One of her non-negotiables is natural light.
Designing to feel it all
If design was dictated purely by emotion rather than aesthetics, what would the process look like? For Sussanne, that’s exactly how she approaches her work. “It would be an intuitive, almost organic process,” she says. “That’s exactly the philosophy behind The Charcoal Project. It’s an experience. Every corner is designed to evoke a feeling, whether it’s inspiration, comfort or extravagance.”
Her intensely personal approach is reflected in her favourite part of the store – artwork by her son, Hridhaan. “He created these pieces when he was just seventeen. The proceeds from their sale will go to a local charity of his choice.”
For Gauri, designing wellness spaces is part of her conviction that a home should nurture its inhabitants. “I have always believed that the spaces we live in have a direct influence on our well-being,” she says.
Art of multitasking
If there’s one lesson Gauri has learned along the way, it’s this: “Women are built for multitasking. Entrepreneurship is no different, it’s about being adaptable, solving problems and knowing when to push forward and when to pause.”
For Sussanne, this expansion is significant. “Hyderabad felt like the right place for many reasons,” she says. “I have incredible partners who share my vision of blending design with innovation. But more than that, my mother worked on some truly iconic design projects here. In a way, bringing Charcoal to Hyderabad feels like carrying forward her legacy.”
The Charcoal Project Hyderabad is a design experience that blends form and function. Also, with Gauri Khan curating an entire floor, the space showcases their shared but individualistic creative philosophies.
A meeting of minds
This is the first time Sussanne and Gauri have worked together professionally, but their synergy feels effortless. “Gauri has a unique style, full of personality,” says Sussanne. “In many ways, we balance each other out, and that dynamic creates a really natural energy.”
Gauri’s contribution to The Charcoal Project is a beautifully curated selection of bespoke furniture, handcrafted artifacts, soft furnishings, and art exuding her signature aesthetic. “Hyderabad has a rich cultural heritage but is also incredibly modern and forward-thinking,” she says. “I believe the city’s audience will appreciate designs that are made in India but have an international appeal.”
Her foray into design wasn’t pre-planned. “It all started when I was asked to redesign our Delhi home,” she shares. “I was new to it, but I dived right in, creating a blueprint, bringing in experts, and curating art, accessories, and furniture to bring the space together. That experience sparked something in me. Then came Mannat, another deeply personal project that reinforced my love for design. Those early projects gave me the confidence to take it further, and that’s how Gauri Khan Designs was born.”
Minimalism and meaning
Luxury design is evolving, and both Sussanne and Gauri are at the forefront of the shift. “After years of stark minimalism, we’re seeing a return to deeper, richer tones and the warmth of darker woods,” Sussanne tells us.
Technology, too, has been integrated into interiors. “Smart features aren’t just a luxury anymore; they’re a necessity,” she says. “Homes today are more intuitive and connected than ever before.” This belief is at the core of The Charcoal Project’s partnership with Bajaj Electronics. “They came to us with a vision that was impossible to ignore,” Sussanne shares. “We’re bringing in cutting-edge automation, advanced lighting, and state-of-the-art AV solutions that meld into furniture and living spaces. It’s not just about aesthetics but how people interact with their homes.”
Gauri adds, “Great design isn’t just about how a space looks but how it feels.” One of her non-negotiables is natural light.
Designing to feel it all
If design was dictated purely by emotion rather than aesthetics, what would the process look like? For Sussanne, that’s exactly how she approaches her work. “It would be an intuitive, almost organic process,” she says. “That’s exactly the philosophy behind The Charcoal Project. It’s an experience. Every corner is designed to evoke a feeling, whether it’s inspiration, comfort or extravagance.”
Her intensely personal approach is reflected in her favourite part of the store – artwork by her son, Hridhaan. “He created these pieces when he was just seventeen. The proceeds from their sale will go to a local charity of his choice.”
For Gauri, designing wellness spaces is part of her conviction that a home should nurture its inhabitants. “I have always believed that the spaces we live in have a direct influence on our well-being,” she says.
Art of multitasking
If there’s one lesson Gauri has learned along the way, it’s this: “Women are built for multitasking. Entrepreneurship is no different, it’s about being adaptable, solving problems and knowing when to push forward and when to pause.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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