Gauri Khan’s experience centre in Delhi reflects her intimate and glamourous design philosophy

The new crop of interior designers in the country may be bold and experimental in their thought and vision. But they owe it to the OGs of the space, including Gauri Khan, who laid the groundwork for what was to come. 

Gauri Khan has had an illustrious journey of 13 years in the design industry, characterised by exploration and evolution. She ventured into the space driven by her deep love for aesthetics and her desire to make spaces feel luxurious yet personal. Over the years, her versatility has stood out in both commercial and residential projects.

Khan has expanded her design presence well beyond her signature stores, collaborating with major brands including D’Decor, and working on various high‑end interior ventures. She also runs an interior design studio in Juhu, Mumbai. 

Now, her firm, Gauri Khan Designs, has launched its first immersive experience centre in Delhi. 

Calling it the “most personal project” she’s ever undertaken, Khan describes the space as “not a store or a showroom” but a statement of her intent and design philosophy.

“I envisioned it as a curated home that reflects my entire design philosophy: intimate, glamorous, and deeply considered. Every inch is designed to feel warm and inviting,” says Khan, in an exclusive chat with YS Life.

The project gave her the freedom to create a space from scratch—choosing every finish, every piece of art and every light source. 

“I even spent time adjusting light levels and rearranging artwork until the flow felt emotionally right. It’s a space where clients can immerse themselves in what personalised luxury really means,” Khan explains. 

An immersive experience

Khan’s vision has always been about creating beautiful and personal spaces. Earlier in her career, she was drawn to high-gloss finishes, dramatic contrasts, and statement pieces. While that dramatic flair continues to be a part of her aesthetics, it’s now balanced by a stronger emphasis on harmony and materiality. 

“Design, for me, is no longer about just the look of a room. It's about how it makes you feel the moment you step into it,” she says.

There's greater focus on how different textures, tones, and shapes interact within a space. This philosophy is reflected in the Delhi experience centre where rough-hewn stone tables are softened by natural wood insets, metal finishes are paired with rich velvet upholstery, and warm lighting grounds even the most sculptural pieces. 

“There’s a quiet confidence to it all. The palette is layered, the mood is considered. Every corner is designed to invite pause and reflection. That kind of emotional pacing in design is something I’ve learned over time—it can’t be rushed,” says Khan. 

The energy, style sensibilities, and fearless love for statement-making design made Delhi the right contender for this space. 

“I felt it was the perfect city to bring an immersive, appointment-only concept like this to life. The centre is designed to feel like a home, not a retail floor. Clients can see, touch, and imagine how these pieces fit into their lives,” Khan reiterates. 

“It’s about offering a thoughtful, personalised design journey, rather than a transactional one.”

Attention to detail 

As one walks in, a sense of calm and slow pace prevails, allowing guests to take the time to enjoy the place without the worry of madding crowds. 

The lower level opens into expansive zones—each one styled with Khan’s furniture line to evoke real-life living scenarios. 

“You might find a sculptural console offset by ambient lighting or a velvet sofa positioned under a cascade of soft natural light. Upstairs, the tone shifts—it’s more intimate, designed to feel like a retreat,” says Khan. 

The experience centre showcases Khan’s complete furniture line, with each piece carrying a story. There's everything from bold statement tables to elegant soft furnishings, and everything can be customised. 

A standout piece is the Archello Coffee Table, with glossy tapered metal corners inset with green malachite. Another highlight is a stone-and-wood table that brings together raw textures with sculptural elegance.

“We also have sofas in rich jewel tones, paired with plush velvets and brass detailing, pieces that feel both glamorous and lived-in. Each element is designed to be flexible yet memorable—tailored to suit the client’s style while still carrying a signature design voice,” points out Khan. 

Since it's an appointment-only space, guests have the time and freedom to explore without distractions. Every corner invites them to imagine a more personalised, more luxurious way of living.

Khan believes experience centres are the future of design, since clients today want more than a product, they seek a story and a connection. 

“Experience centres offer that in a way traditional retail spaces simply can’t. They allow people to feel how a piece fits into a space, to interact with materials and the ambience in a meaningful way,” she says. 

“Design is deeply personal, and I believe experience centres are the future because they honour that personal aspect in the most immersive, luxurious way possible.”

What's next? 

The experience centre in Delhi marks a new chapter for Gauri Khan Designs, and it’s just the beginning. The designer is looking to take the centre to other cities and explore capsule collaborations that bring new textures and voices into her design universe. 

“I also envision growing into a more holistic lifestyle offering—something that goes beyond furniture into a fuller design narrative,” says Khan.

“But no matter how we evolve, the core will remain the same: to create spaces and pieces that move people emotionally. That’s the real luxury.”