JOIN US'Indians are avoiding their ancient heritage, craft'
Born in Tehran to a civil engineer father and a mother who is an artist, it did not come as a big surprise that Leila Erfan turned out to be an interior and architectural designer by profession.
She grew up painting and attending art classes and started working at the very young age of 17, teaching art to children in her art studio while pursuing her studies, back in her native Iran.
Erfan, a graduate with a masters degree from Art and Architecture University in Tehran has dabbled with graphic, photography, painting, handicraft, carpet and sculpture making and it is these experiences that she amalgamates into her interior designing. She has done residential projects, offices and hospitality projects but it is the residences that she has always been drawn to, as she strongly believes in the concept of a ‘home’.
Erfan, who lives and conducts her business from Gurgaon, believes home is not just matter of nice furniture or unique chandelier or expensive products, but it is largely a matter of comfort and useful space. Living in India for the past seven years, Erfan shares some of her experiences with Metrolife.
Talking about Delhi, the interior designer, says, “The modernity here is happening at a very slow pace. Also, I have travelled a lot and so I can say that Delhi is not my favourite city. It is too over crowded and is expanding and developing without any plans. On the other hand, I love Chandigarh. It is a planned city...clean and calm.”
Speaking about her career graph and how she expanded her market by approaching various people and companies, the designer, who is also an avid photographer, says, “Here, Indians are avoiding their ancient heritage, craft. This country has so much to offer in terms of its history and architecture. Just see the Taj Mahal and its architecture...amazing. Indians no more like to have Indian motifs and designs. Each city in this country has its own art, craft and culture, which can be incorporated in interior designs.”
Calling herself a very easy busineswoman who is not pushy, Erfan likes to have Indian food. “But I can only cook shahi paneer and yellow dal. They are the easiest to prepare,” she says with a smile.