The very soil of The Great Eastern Home is charged with the memories and energies of 176 years of historical events. Once the works of The Great Eastern Mills, founded in 1839, this one space has been witness to some of India's most important moments. It saw the entire struggle for India's independence, its attainment, and its growth into one of the 21st century's most significant nations.
Today, its spaces are charged with an immutable history and contain within them an inevitable destiny. Located in two places, Byculla, the heart of central Mumbai's textile district and Vikhroli, the centre of
the Northern end of Mumbai. At the Byculla premises, while the staccato rhythm of looms fusing warp with weft are only a distant memory, the chimney - that proud sentinel and iconic symbol of a veritable era - still stands tall, now serving as a unmistakable landmark, helping our visitors locate us from miles away.
Our now celebrated store, displaying fine furniture, art and
collectibles in what once were the giant warehouses of a bustling
mill, is a marked study in contrasts. It is one of the few places that
preserves an architectural idiom that is all but lost to the stifling
homogeneity of the ubiquitous cement-steel-glass urban landscape. High
ceilings, aged wooden beams, cast-iron columns and exposed brick and
stonewalls, all restored with minimal intervention, present a charming
backdrop to a magnificent ensemble. It all inspires an overarching
feeling of stepping into a delightful world of treasures.
Evverything in the store only serves to heighten this evocative mood.
Your gaze is compelled to take in the multitude of fine objects in one
sweep and you are tempted to linger over every single detail. Look up,
and richly gilded and coloured glass chandeliers twinkle bewitchingly
amidst intricately carved ceiling panels; look around and your eyes
travel across centuries of styles arrayed in eclectic harmony; a
splendid example of a collection curated with passion and a flair for
visualizing the unconventional. The grandeur of Baroque, the glamour
of the French style, the nature-inspired exuberance of Art Nouveau,
the subtle grace of Art Deco, and the timeless appeal of the Colonial
style are among those that find expression in all the fine furniture
showcased.
In an age where luxury is often mass-produced, what strikes you is the
exquisite craftsmanship and finesse that has gone into creating these
pieces. From the selection of wood, to the stylistic demands of
proportions, to the actual crafting techniques and processes, right
down to the polish and finishing, it is as much about a design revival
celebrating elegance and opulence, as it is about imbuing each piece
with a bespoke character that Working together with architects and
designers of international repute has broadened the creative
bandwidth, making way for modern interpretations of classical styles
to suit contemporary preferences, it all transcends the limiting
boundaries of trends.
This pluralistic design philosophy embracing hybrid influences is
equally evident in The Great Eastern Home's extensive portfolio of
home accents and collectibles.
Our Vikhroli store features many of the choice pieces of our
collection, and brings the connoisseurs and professionals on North
Mumbai the convenience of having our stores best within a few minutes
distance. Interior decorators, art enthusiasts, designers and
architects have appreciated it particularly to be a convenient haven
of all things beautiful.
The new Light Room, at our Byculla store, is 10,000 sq ft of space set
apart to present a stunning range of lighting choices. Ceilings, walls
and floors are resplendent with single and paired pieces that turn
light into a magical art form that will add a mesmeric dimension to
any space.
Fine art forms an integral part of the offering too, as The Great
Eastern Home takes pride in providing a much-needed fillip to young
artists of exceptional talent from across India and the neighbouring
countries. Besides on-going promotion of artworks, the Store offers
artists, photographers and sculptors the space to exhibit their works
as part of curated shows, allowing for exposure and engagement with
viewers and buyers alike.
Exciting plans are in the offing to establish a presence in select
cities, as well as connect with other premium brands for joint events
that offer unique experiences to discerning audiences who value
provenance, history, heritage, aesthetics and soulfulness, above all
else.