In the world of design, some create spaces, and some create experiences. Jumana Kanchwala belongs to the latter. As the founder of JK Atelier, she has redefined luxury interiors in Nagpur and beyond, building a reputation for spaces that do not merely impress but resonate. Her work is not about decorating walls or placing furniture; it is about designing environments that reflect personalities, evoke emotions, and transform the way people live. Since its inception in 2019, JK Atelier has grown steadily, completing multiple luxury residences and entering the sphere of high-end commercial design. For Jumana, this journey is not just a career but a calling — one rooted in empathy, detail, and the pursuit of timeless beauty.
Early Sparks of Inspiration
Every designer’s journey begins with a moment of recognition — a realization that spaces have power. For Jumana, this came from her innate curiosity about how environments shape human behavior. She recalls noticing how certain homes radiated warmth, how well-designed rooms could spark conversation, and how details in layout or lighting could influence moods. Unlike many who saw interiors as a backdrop, she understood early on that they were an integral part of everyday living. This belief became her compass as she pursued design professionally and eventually gave her the courage to establish her own practice.
In 2019, JK Atelier was born out of her desire to build a studio that went beyond surface-level beauty. She wanted to bridge the gap between a client’s aspirations and practical realities, offering designs that were at once luxurious, functional, and deeply personal. Starting independently and bootstrapped, she relied on her clarity of vision, her ability to listen, and her drive to turn ideas into reality.
Crafting a Philosophy Around People
At the core of JK Atelier is a belief that every space has a story waiting to be told. Jumana’s philosophy is rooted in personalization, ensuring that no two projects are ever the same. She describes her work as luxury residential interiors with a contemporary aesthetic — understated yet elegant, modern yet warm, sophisticated yet approachable.
Her process is as much about understanding people as it is about designing layouts. She spends time decoding her clients’ lifestyles, habits, and even unspoken preferences. “I believe patience and empathy are my biggest strengths as a designer,” she explains. “Often, clients know what they want but don’t have the words to describe it. My job is to listen, observe, and translate those aspirations into tangible designs.”
The result is interiors that feel not only polished but personal. From bespoke furniture pieces crafted to suit a client’s taste to curated accessories that tell a story, every project reflects individuality. Jumana’s clients often remark that their homes feel like an extension of themselves — a testament to her skill in marrying functionality with emotion.
More Than Aesthetic: Designing With Purpose
For Jumana, design is a tool for enhancing well-being. She believes a thoughtfully designed space has the power to uplift daily living, creating environments that support connection, comfort, and creativity. A home should feel like a sanctuary where one can recharge; an office should inspire productivity and collaboration. This purposeful approach sets her apart in an industry that sometimes leans too heavily on visual appeal.
Equally central to her work is a commitment to sustainability. In her view, sustainability is no longer optional — it is a responsibility every designer must uphold. She advocates using local materials, collaborating with artisans, and creating designs built for longevity rather than fleeting trends. By doing so, she not only reduces environmental impact but also celebrates craftsmanship, ensuring that her projects carry a sense of authenticity and cultural depth. “Small choices add up,” she says. “As designers, we must lead by example and show that luxury and sustainability can coexist beautifully.”
The Road of Challenges
No entrepreneurial journey is without struggles, and Jumana’s was no exception. As a young designer starting out, her biggest challenge was earning trust. Clients, understandably cautious, needed reassurance that her vision would translate into results. Jumana overcame this through consistent delivery and by letting her work speak louder than her promises. Over time, her growing portfolio became her strongest proof of capability.
Another hurdle was balancing creativity with the practicalities of running a business. Managing vendors, negotiating with contractors, ensuring timely execution, and handling budgets — all while safeguarding her artistic integrity — demanded constant learning. She admits that the early years were as much about developing business acumen as honing design skills.
What helped her navigate this balancing act was her leadership style, rooted in calmness and empathy. She learned to communicate clearly, troubleshoot effectively, and lead with patience. This approach not only eased project challenges but also fostered long-term trust with clients, craftsmen, and her own team.
The Influence of Fearless Creativity
When asked about her professional idols, Jumana speaks with admiration about Kelly Wearstler, the celebrated American designer known for her bold, eclectic approach. Wearstler’s ability to merge art, fashion, and interiors into spaces that feel daring and alive resonates deeply with Jumana. “Her work reminds me that design should always evoke emotion and never shy away from being unapologetically unique,” she reflects.
This influence pushes Jumana to take creative risks of her own — experimenting with materials, layering textures, and integrating artful elements that surprise and delight. While her designs remain rooted in her clients’ personalities, her willingness to experiment ensures that every project feels fresh, evolving, and distinctive.
Projects That Define a Legacy
Every designer has projects that leave an indelible mark, and for Jumana, one such project was the creation of a luxury residence for a young couple. The clients, who trusted her entirely, gave her complete creative freedom. This rare opportunity allowed her to design with unfiltered vision — from bespoke furniture crafted exclusively for the home to curated accessories that added depth and intimacy. The result was a space that embodied both the couple’s lifestyle and her design ethos, a collaboration that still stands as one of her proudest achievements.
Such projects underscore what makes JK Atelier special: the ability to create interiors that are both elevated and deeply personal, blending designer vision with client identity in a way that feels seamless.
Learning Along the Way
From her entrepreneurial journey, Jumana has gathered lessons that extend beyond design. Chief among them is the importance of adaptability. In design and execution, nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Delays, unforeseen issues, and last-minute changes are inevitable. The key, she believes, is to remain calm, think creatively, and treat challenges as opportunities to innovate.
Another lesson is the centrality of relationships. Successful design, she emphasizes, is built on trust — not only with clients but also with artisans, vendors, and team members. These partnerships are the backbone of her work, and nurturing them with respect and empathy has been instrumental in her growth.
Looking Ahead: The Future of JK Atelier
The future holds ambitious goals for JK Atelier. Jumana envisions expanding into large-scale luxury projects across India, positioning her studio among the country’s most trusted names for premium residential and boutique commercial design. She also hopes to work on projects that allow for deeper exploration of sustainability, integrating eco-conscious choices into the luxury design landscape.
But perhaps her most personal vision is to nurture young designers. She wants to create a collaborative studio culture where fresh talent feels empowered to innovate, experiment, and grow. By mentoring the next generation, she aims to leave behind not just a portfolio of projects but a legacy of inspired professionals carrying forward the ethos of thoughtful, client-centered design.
Advice to Young Designers
To those entering the world of architecture and interiors, Jumana offers advice shaped by her own journey: stay curious, keep learning, and resist the urge to conform too quickly. “Find your own voice,” she says, “and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learn from books, travels, people, and most importantly, from real experiences. Above all, remember that design is about improving lives. If you keep that at the heart of your work, your designs will always stand out.”
Redefining Luxury With Empathy
Today, Jumana Kanchwala stands as a designer who has not only built beautiful spaces but also redefined what luxury means in interior design. For her, luxury is not about excess or grandeur, but about details that matter, stories that resonate, and environments that elevate daily living. Through JK Atelier, she continues to prove that design is most powerful when it is personal — when it captures the essence of those who inhabit the space and enhances their way of life.
Her journey is still unfolding, but one thing is clear: Jumana’s legacy will not be measured in square feet or project lists, but in the stories her spaces tell, the lives they touch, and the timeless experiences they create. In a world increasingly driven by trends, her work reminds us that true design is not about following patterns but about shaping identities, creating sanctuaries, and building spaces where life itself can flourish.
Website : https://www.jkatelier.in/
Leave a comment