THE PEOPLE

A legacy of pioneering work in the film industry, and many passionate conversations about ‘art and the order of things’, led to Highlight Living, the creative collaboration between Srila Chatterjee and Siddharth Sirohi, which evolved into BARO.

SIDDHARTH SIROHI
Co- Founder / Designer

From film production design, Bombay-based Siddharth Sirohi followed his heart into making furniture that told a story. Handmade, individually crafted pieces that had the charm of old wood and methods, but with a lightness of touch and contemporary appeal. His approach is holistic, combining form, function and construction.

Sirohi’s aesthetic is highly influenced by the simplicity and classic lines of mid-century modernism. "It's the playfulness in the simplicity. Gentle, angular modulations that are not always apparent at first sight," he says. This hidden but painstaking fine-tuning grants Sirohi’s designs a lightness that belies their size. He believes ‘old school patience’ is the key to good design. 

An admirer of the wabi-sabi philosophy of beauty in simplicity, imperfection and authenticity, Sirohi was keen on creating furniture that was environmentally conscious and built to last. With reclaimed teak, he found a way out of his dilemma -- a love of trees as well as of ripe, seasoned wood.  

"If it's not comfortable, it's not a chair," says Sirohi, pointing to the primacy of function in his conception of design. “Form and function must cohabit peaceably within every piece.”

SRILA CHATTERJEE
Co-Founder / Curator

Through 25 demanding years as a producer in advertising and film, Srila somehow made time for all her passions, ranging from art to design to dogs. Meeting Siddharth urged her to take her interest in design further. Furniture and lifestyle were a natural extension for Highlight Films, an iconic production house. And so the bustling media office transformed seamlessly into a realm of evocative design, fuelled by Srila’s infectious energy and warm persona.

Srila’s deep interest in art, textiles, colour and travel nicely complements Siddharth’s eclectic designs. The handcrafted furniture at BARO is well matched by the carefully curated art and décor – all sourced thanks to Srila’s unerring eye and wanderlust. She charmingly fronts the store, ensuring that the space is a warm and welcoming surprise for visitors, firing their imagination with possibilities to transform their own living.