June 11 2026
Shonali Mahajan Cooper: Bringing global design sensibilities to India
(Jun 12, 2026) After studying at Domus Academy in Milan and gaining international experience, Shonali Mahajan Cooper built her own venture, Empire – The Living Company. Today, the interior designer blends global influences with Indian craftsmanship to create homes that are as much about emotion and experience as they are about aesthetics.
Growing up in South Mumbai, Shonali was surrounded by a city that is, in itself, a masterclass in contrasts. Heritage buildings stood alongside modern high-rises, and every street told a different story. Long before she formally studied design, she found herself observing spaces and how they influenced people’s moods and interactions.
“I was always surrounded by interesting spaces, and I found myself paying attention to how they made people feel and interact,” she recalls in a chat with The Global Indian. “Looking back, I think that’s where my interest in design really began.”
Her decision to study at Domus Academy in Milan marked a defining shift. Milan, often considered the global capital of design, exposed her to a completely different way of thinking. It was not just about visual appeal but about intent, purpose, and human experience.
“What stood out to me was that the conversations were never just about how something looked,” she says. “We were constantly encouraged to think about why it existed, who it was for, and how it would impact the people experiencing it.”
This philosophy stayed with her as she went on to work with some of the most respected names in the industry. At Pinakin Patel, she learned the power of restraint. At Matteo Nunziati’s studio in Milan, she gained insight into precision and large-scale design. At Neterwala & Aibara, she understood that true luxury lies in detail and craftsmanship rather than excess.
Each experience added a layer to the interior designer’s design identity, reinforcing a core belief that continues to define her work today: great design is intentional, meaningful, and deeply connected to the people who inhabit it.
Designing across cultures
Few designers have the opportunity to work across as many diverse geographies as Shonali has. Her projects have taken her to Doha, Beijing, Kuwait, and the Maldives, each bringing its own cultural nuances, architectural contexts, and lifestyle expectations. These experiences fundamentally shaped her approach to design. Rather than imposing a singular aesthetic, she learned to listen first and design later.
Working across different countries has shown me that while design aesthetics can vary widely, what people want from their spaces is often remarkably similar. Everyone is looking for comfort, belonging, and connection.
Shonali Mahajan Cooper
This understanding led her to develop what she describes as a more empathetic approach to design. Every project begins with understanding the people, their habits, their aspirations, and the cultural context they live in. “Good design is always shaped by its context and the stories of the people it serves,” says the interior designer.
This sensitivity to context is what makes her work stand out. Whether it is a luxury residence in the Middle East or a private home in India, her spaces feel rooted and authentic rather than generic or trend-driven.
Her global exposure also deepened her appreciation for Indian craftsmanship. Instead of treating it as a decorative element, she integrates it into the very foundation of her designs.
“Indian craftsmanship has never been something that gets added at the end,” she notes. “It’s a fundamental part of the design process itself.”
Entrepreneurship meets design philosophy
Returning to India was not just a personal decision for the entrepreneur. It was also a strategic one. She recognised a shift in how Indians were beginning to think about their homes. Clients were no longer interested in showpieces but in spaces that reflected their identities and lifestyles.
I felt that some of the most exciting opportunities in design were emerging here in India. People are now looking for environments that reflect who they are and how they live.
Shonali Mahajan Cooper
This realisation led to the creation of Empire – The Living Company, which she co-founded with her husband, Rustom. The studio is built on a multidisciplinary approach, combining interior design with furniture, acoustics, and post-project services.
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What makes Empire unique is its holistic perspective. Through Empire Atelier, the studio creates bespoke furniture. Through Light & Sound, it integrates advanced acoustic and audiovisual solutions. And through Empire Concierge, it continues to support clients even after a project is completed.
“It’s not just about what you see,” explains the interior designer. “It’s about how a space functions, how it sounds, how it feels, and how it enhances everyday life.”
This layered approach reflects her belief in what she calls “sensory architecture.” Before thinking about materials or furniture, she considers how a space should feel at different times of the day and in different states of use. “The most important brief is rarely the aesthetic one,” she says. “It’s understanding how people live and what allows them to feel most themselves.”
One of the most striking examples of this philosophy is a listening room project she worked on. Designed as a fully immersive environment, the space focused on sound, light, texture, and even scent to create a complete sensory experience. “Rather than focusing solely on how the space looked, we concentrated on how it felt and how it engaged the senses,” she shares.
For Shonali, this is the future of design. Spaces are no longer just visual experiences but immersive environments that engage all the senses.
Balancing creativity, business, and life
Running a design studio comes with its own set of challenges. For Shonali, one of the biggest lessons has been understanding that creativity and business are not separate but deeply interconnected. “Every business decision shapes the identity of the studio,” she explains. “Over time, I’ve realised that these choices are as influential as any design decision.”
Maintaining a steady pipeline of work, managing client expectations, and balancing creative ambition with operational realities are all part of the journey. Yet, she finds the process deeply rewarding. “The most fulfilling projects are the ones where clients are genuinely invested in the journey,” she says. “When they become collaborators, the spaces feel far more personal and meaningful.”
Looking ahead, the interior designer is particularly excited about projects that explore the intersection of acoustics, wellness, and spatial design. One such project currently in the works is a longevity spa, where the focus is on creating a holistic sensory experience.
Sound plays a huge role in how comfortable and calm we feel within a space. It’s something that’s often overlooked, but it can completely transform how we experience an environment.
Shonali Mahajan Cooper
Beyond her professional life, Shonali finds balance in her personal world. She shares both her life and work with her husband and co-founder, Rustom, whose expertise has been instrumental in shaping Empire. Together, they are raising their daughter, Lyla, who she says brings “joy, perspective, and balance” to their lives.
Outside the studio, she enjoys staying active through strength training, Pilates, and kickboxing. She also finds joy in activities like padel and mahjong, along with travelling and reading.
A distinctly global Indian perspective
Shonali carries the discipline and depth of her Indian roots, the conceptual clarity of her Milan education, and the adaptability of her global professional experience.
The interior designer’s work is not defined by geography but by a mindset. One that values authenticity over trends, experience over appearance, and emotion over excess. For young designers looking to build a global career, her advice is both simple and profound.
Don’t see your cultural identity as something that limits you. See it as a foundation that gives your work depth and authenticity.
Shonali Mahajan Cooper
At the same time, she emphasises the importance of curiosity and self-awareness. “In a world where we’re all exposed to the same influences, what sets you apart is your perspective,” she explains. “The designers who make a lasting impact are the ones who create from a place of authenticity.”
In many ways, that philosophy defines her own journey. From South Mumbai to Milan, from global projects to building a homegrown design studio, Shonali Mahajan Cooper is not just creating spaces. She is crafting experiences that resonate, endure, and evolve with the people who inhabit them.
ALSO READ: From Madhuri Dixit’s home to ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’: Apoorva Shroff’s evolving design story
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Written By: Mallik Thatipalli
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