Calling her parents’ Srinagar estate a simple ‘home’ would be an understatement. Built a century ago by Maharaja Hari Singh as an English-style villa, it became the residence of his son, Karan Singh, a decade later, and then his son Yuvraj Vikramaditya Singh of Kashmir and his wife Yuvrani Chitrangada Raje, Princess of Gwalior. Today, the home has become a boutique hotel, Karan Mahal, after a decade of renovations that began in 2011 and culminated in a royal residence combined with five guest rooms and three luxurious suites for visitors. “When my parents were re-doing their house, they wanted customised furniture, so we (my mother-in-law and I) made some pieces for them,” says Mriganka. “I thought, why not do this for more people?”

Mriganka’s mother-in-law, Princess Jayender Kaur of Patiala, had always wanted to start a furniture line. “They’ve had carpenters and karigars in the family who’ve done their furniture,” says Mriganka.

Mriganka traces the root of her creativity to her paternal grandmother, Maharani Yasho Raje Lakshmi, Princess of Nepal, who designed cane furniture. “Her favourite was an Art Deco dressing table with a full-length mirror in the centre flanked by tall rounded lights, a cabinet that extended on both sides, with a cupboard and drawers.”

For those like Maharani Yasho Devi who grew up in the 1950s, Art Deco design, jewellery and furniture was the ultimate luxury. “It uses geometric shapes and clean lines such as triangles, zigzags and chevrons in repetition. It looks futuristic even today,” says Mriganka. “Modern interiors are a streamlined version of Art Deco where emphasis is on form rather than ornament.” She adds elements of classic, contemporary, even Victorian, in her pieces today. “Since my furniture is made to order, it’s more about understanding clients and their needs and taste,” says Mriganka. “Everyone is particular about their personal living space nowadays. The way you fill up a room reflects your personality.” She enjoys mixing it up with upholstery of different prints, solids and materials like velvet and leather.

Princess of Kashmir

Princess Mriganka: Crafting Furniture In Style