Bust Portraits : Lonika Chande
Who better than Lonika Chande to be the first in our Bust Portraits series.
Mother of two, interior designer, tastemaker and friend of Studio Bust’s Founder Mads - their friendship was formed through instagram and cemented on play-dates in the park with their young children. From Viennese cuisine to blackout-lined curtains, read on for a glimpse into Lonika’s colourful and creative world.
Bus, Taxi or Tube?
As a true Londoner, it’s got to be a black cab. That said I love the ease with which you can zip right across town on the tube. My local is the rickety old Bakerloo, and that’s made me fall a bit out of love with it though…
What do you love?
Foremost family and friends.
Saturday nights with my husband, and our Sunday mornings with the kids.
Weeknight dinners with my girls.
My work.
A brocante.
Shamelessly, an oat flat white.
What do you loathe?
Driving, bad manners, and hot food served on cold plates.
What's the one thing in your home you couldn’t live without?
It’s quite sad to admit this, but it’s got to be blackout lined curtains. They are essential with littlies, as you’ve got to maximise your chances with that old friend - sleep, as much as possible!
IMAGE CREDIT: PAUL MASSEY
You are one of the most thoughtful, generous people we know - what is the best present you've ever received?
From my husband - my babies. We’re not big on material presents per se (although a fair bit of self-gifting does go on), but they bring me endless joy, love, pride and exasperation in equal measure!
Tell us one thing that having children has taught you?
Kindness. To be a lot kinder, both to strangers and to those I am surrounded by. Also to be a lot more productive! My twenties were my faffing years for sure…
We adore your style, where do you draw your inspiration from?
It is a terrible cliché but I draw on inspiration from much of what I see around me. At the moment this is largely my collection of art, design, and architecture books – both for inspiration and some much needed escapism!
What is your favourite stage when designing a new space for a client?
It has to be the install, and seeing all the different threads of a project come together into its final form. It’s incredibly rewarding.
The Bare Necessities
Favourite book?
I love Life of Pi, Atonement, and One Day. I recently finished Simple Pleasures by Clare Chambers, which I adored. I have also re-discovered Quentin Blake’s childrens’ books with my son, like Mrs Armitage on Wheels – heaven!
Favourite film?
Little Women. Both the original and the new adaptations.
Favourite food?
An Indian takeaway. My husband and I keep our local curry house very busy. We’ve started rationing it, as it's gotten a tad out of hand. Am also a big chocolate fiend and can’t get enough of Montezuma’s giant dark chocolate buttons.
Favourite Artist?
My mother and my inspiration for pretty much everything I do, always - Lucy Dickens.
IMAGE CREDIT: MILO BROWN
The Hustle & Bustle
Favourite restaurant/café/bar?
Fischer’s. It’s a Viennese brasserie in Marylebone and it’s wonderful. The interiors are pretty spectacular too.
Favourite gallery?
The Royal Academy. I tend to love anything which is on at the RA. They curate a wonderful range of exhibitions, and there is always something interesting to see.
Best meal you’ve had?
The Pain Perdu at The Ninth, on Charlotte Street is next level.
Favourite park?
Very much mood dependent. For wild and wooly, it’s Hampstead Heath, but for order and perfection, it’s Kensington Gardens.
