Interiors photographer Ashish Sahi on finding the right light in his rental home

What was your vision for creating your home here?

I wanted to maximise every inch of floor space in this small apartment without it looking too cramped. Since this is a rental, and I couldn’t make any structural changes, I wanted to find the easiest way to make the house look spacious, well-lit and inviting. I had been used to warm, dark colours for a cosier aesthetic in my home in Delhi; and I soon began to realise I’d have to create an all-white palette with pared-down neutrals to open up each room.

What was your renovation process like?

It took me a month to repaint and refurnish the home. I spoke to my landlord before beginning anything and worked out what he would be comfortable with me changing and reworking—this was important to avoid any hiccups along the way. Most of my furniture was brought in from Delhi, and I soon realised everything was too big and dark in colour for the space. I had to resize everything and repaint it in matte white to make it less overwhelming.

Did you face any challenges along the way?

Finding the right people to do the job was initially tough because I was a newcomer in a big city. Also, like every renovation process, I had to be hands-on and physically present to oversee everything to avoid any rude surprises!

The most significant part for me was that I got to live there while shooting the entire property over span of three days—so, there were times when I’d wake up and quickly run out to catch the morning light to get a spellbinding shot, and then play with sunlight at different times during the day, as well.

What are the styles you’ve learnt along the way, and which ones work best in an Indian home?

The idea of a luxurious home in India is being redefined with every new house that’s being built. I find a home more unique when’s there a personal connection you can immediately notice the moment you enter the space. Today, with a seemingly infinite budget at their disposal, many home owners have statement pieces and art works from designers and artists overseas; but an heirloom passed down for generations or a piece of Indian contemporary art immediately grabs my attention and quietly tells a story of the space.

After shooting so many homes for over a decade, what does the idea of a perfect home mean to you?

For me it is about uninterrupted views, ample sunlight in every room of the house, and big open spaces to move around in. I like having time to myself, and, if I have all this at home, I don’t feel the need to step out.