Inside DLF Camellias: The Art of Luxury Interiors Through a Fresh Lens
When you think of “luxury interiors,” traditional images might come to mind: marble floors, gold fixtures, chandeliers, heavy drapes, maybe even opulent showrooms. But as Shivani Gupta explains, in today’s segment for Just Because, luxury is evolving — and those who deliver it have to evolve too.
1. Carving a Place in a Male-Dominated Industry
At the start, Shivani reflects on her own positioning: as a woman leading a design firm in an industry still dominated by males. She says:
“I feel like … the male thing had been waving off. Like it was, it had not waved off completely. And I don’t think even now it’s so waved off.” (01:58)
In practice, she has had to prove herself, deal with perceptions (for example, being younger, informal, or not conforming to a traditional “designer look”), and repeatedly make clear that her role isn’t decorative but strategic. While things have improved, equality is still a work in progress.
2. Building a Signature for the Premium Client
One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is about who defines a “premium client” and how the firm markets to them. Shivani shares:
“To be very honest, till now I’m trying to understand how to market myself into HNI clients… it’s just that… I’ve always catered HNI, I’ve always catered premium clients… it’s just natural.” (05:03)
She distinguishes between clients who are polished, travel-exposed, brand-savvy, and those who are wealthy but less exposed. Authentic engagement, understanding family dynamics, and including all members — especially the often-overlooked wife — is key to her approach.
3. Words Over Marketing: The Power of Referral
While many designers rely on Instagram and digital presence, Shivani emphasizes:
“90% of our businesses throughout Instagram … 10% is that DLF Camps, mags and all of the societies.” (16:43)
Most big projects come via recommendation, reputation, and personal networks:
“One tower I have done — like for four apartments… so that means four families are talking about it…” (13:27)
This shows that credibility and peer references outweigh visibility in elite markets.
4. Understanding the Social Dimension of Space
Interior design in places like DLF Camellias isn’t just functional — it’s a social statement. Shivani explains:
“If I tell a client, I need an LV book on the coffee table as a statement… some clients will say, ‘What? That’s the most expensive one, they don’t even read it.’” (10:35)
Luxury items often serve as social signals. Designers must balance these signals with actual lifestyle needs to create spaces that are both elegant and lived-in.
5. Originality vs. Replication
Shivani addresses inspiration vs. copying:
“I don’t believe anything can be copied… you will see 100 chairs on the internet. There’s not copying; it’s just what the client wants to offer them.” (23:41)
The true value lies in interpretation: adapting inspiration to a client’s personality, space, and context.
6. The Valuation of Experience – Not Just Style
Luxury is more than aesthetics — it’s about experience. Shivani prioritizes how a family interacts with the space:
“My house is very cosy… very nice; I love cosy… We have only one red bar… It’s like a pop of red. That’s it.” (21:08)
Her own home reflects comfort, showing that luxury doesn’t have to be over-the-top.
7. Establishing the House of Lalittya Signature
How do you recognize a House of Lalittya space?
“You will see a lot of gold… maximum colour happening… We only work with suede and velvets which are very plain…” (19:08)
Refined, texture-rich, colour-forward, and curated: this signature attracts the right clients rather than trying to please everyone.
8. Risk, Growth, and Humility
Shivani admits her journey wasn’t smooth. Early luxury projects sometimes cost more than what she earned:
“The money I got to execute the project I did not get well paid but the kind of money I spent in the house was insane…” (06:18)
Yet she leveraged each challenge as a stepping-stone for growth, combining ambition with realism.
9. Involving the Entire Family
An often-overlooked nuance: the wife’s influence. Shivani ensures her voice is included:
“I want to talk to her… I have to force the male client to bring your wife on the table.” (08:05)
This ensures the space is functional and comfortable for everyone.
10. Marketing with Authenticity
Shivani focuses on genuine engagement over vanity:
“We are mostly focused on marketing and business. Like we are there to sell ourselves.” (17:15)
Being authentic, she notes, resonates more deeply than chasing trends or flashy statements.
Key Takeaways for Any Creative Professional
Even if you’re not designing billion-rupee homes, Shivani’s lessons apply:
- Niche clarity matters: Know your signature and attract fitting clients.
- Referral power is huge: Trust and networks outweigh mass marketing.
- Family dynamics count: Design for real living, not just aesthetics.
- Originality is interpretation: Adapt inspiration, don’t copy.
- Lifestyle beats show-off: Design for use, not just social media.
- Personality matters: Authenticity in brand and team resonates.
- Build steadily: Major wins come from long-term effort.
Final Thoughts
Luxury interiors today go beyond “making it look expensive.” They are about relationships, authenticity, and experience. Shivani Gupta balances ambition with integrity, showing that the true product is both the space and the connections built along the way.
You can watch the full interview here: YouTube Video
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