A NOTE FROM RUPAL
I have never believed that a beautiful home should look like everyone else’s.
I’m Rupal Patel, founder and principal designer of Heart & Home by RP, an interior design and interior decoration studio based in the Richmond, Virginia area, serving clients throughout Virginia and beyond. My perspective has been shaped by a life between two cultures. Growing up with both American and Indian influences gave me an appreciation for the beauty of heritage, the richness of craftsmanship and the way our surroundings can hold memories, traditions and stories. I have always been drawn to interiors that have something to say. A room with an unexpected color. A beautifully patterned textile. An old piece of furniture sitting comfortably beside something contemporary. The little details that may not immediately demand attention, but make a room impossible to forget. I admire English interiors for their layered character and confidence, and Indian artistry for its remarkable use of color, intricate craftsmanship and expressive patterns. Both have influenced the way I see and create spaces. I don’t believe every room needs to be restrained, nor do I believe that everything has to match. Some of the most beautiful interiors are those that have evolved through contrast, curiosity and a willingness to take risks. For me, interior design and interior decoration go beyond appearances. It’s about understanding the people who live within a space and creating something that reflects who they are. A home should feel collected, not copied. Lived in, not staged. Beautiful, certainly, but above all, personal.
“I like a home to feel like it couldn’t belong to anyone else. That’s how I design.”
