Two friends get together to solve a common problem. That’s the genesis of Urban Ladder in a nutshell, and probably the story of many a successful start-up.
In 2012, when Ashish Goel, the founder of Urban Ladder, moved to Bangalore, he had a ‘miserable’ experience buying furniture that suited his taste and preference. And that is when he, along with his friend (Rajiv Srivatsa, co-founder of Urban Ladder), decided to create a marketplace where people could meet all their furniture and home décor needs in one place. And the rest, as they say, is history!
While Urban Ladder is infusing a fresh lease of life to several homes, we had an opportunity to have an exclusive tête-à-tête with Ashish Goel where we talked about his home and his wonderful journey.
“Light and space are essential”
When asked to list the three things that made him select his present home, Ashish Goel says, “The first thing that attracted me to this house was it drastically reduced my commute! The second was the fantastic natural light in the space. There is a cosy balcony overlooking a quiet suburban street, and that lets in a lot of sunlight and breeze into the house.”
Favourite interior accessory
Ashish is fond of Kashmiri carpets. He doesn’t own one yet, but he is planning to take a trip right to the source and find that Kashmiri masterpiece for his home.
The one thing he hates
Cleaning cat litter. “I recently adopted a kitten. Cats can be messy.”
Five things that Ashish recommends for your home:
Create a good focal point
It can be a lamp, a couch, piece of art, or anything that becomes the centre of the room. It is a piece that should anchor the entire space and create an instant attraction to anyone who enters the space.
The right lighting
Lighting is often underrated. The right lighting can change a space entirely, so please do away with blaring, white tube lights, and invest in some unique lamps, shades, and ceiling lights, Ashish advises.
Bring the outdoors inside
Plants can be so soothing and can often negate the dust in Indian cities. A nice baby rubber tree or a fiddle leaf ficus can add a lot of charm and pull the room together.
Embrace cosiness
“Comfy seating is a must, at least for me,” Ashish says. Couches that let you sink in deep and embrace you in warmth and cosiness are the best. Throw in a nice couch blanket and a good book, and you have yourself the ultimate staycation right at home.
Invest in the right mattress
A good mattress can solve a lot of life’s problems. Really! Investing in the right mattress can go a long way in your health and happiness.
“We are a creative species”
It has been a long road, building up Urban Ladder into one of India’s premier online furniture portals. But it’s on this journey that Ashish realised that people are a lot happier creating things rather than simply buying things.
After all, “We are a creative, imaginative, expressive species. And our homes are just one of the many canvases we have at our disposal,” he signs off with a smile.
Thanks for sharing !