A young Chandigarh girl Atman Sandhu's love for environment and art inspired her to set up 'Shibui India’, a brand that designs & produces beautiful handmade and hand painted planters which are then delivered through an online platform.

Atman from a very young age was exposed to the traditions and lifestyles of different cultures due to her multiple travels abroad, where she learnt a lot about art & design concepts of different countries. It's interesting to note that 'Shibui' is a Japanese word that means the blending of perfect and imperfect together and finding beauty in simplicity. 

"I was finding and exploring a gap in the planters' market space, that combined with my love for minimalistic design and a keen eye for aesthetics led to the birth of 'Shibui'.

The essence of 'Shibui' is to create an aesthetic of simple, subtle and unobtrusive design as I believe there is magic in minimalistic design. The idea was to create an artisanal range of planters that appear simple to look at but include subtle details such as textures and colors that balance simplicity with complexity. So , if you’re looking to re-home your plants in planters that match the minimalistic style of your home, then the Shibui planters are your answer!" says Atman who is a graduate of DU's prestigious Lady Shri Ram College for Women. 

Atman further says, "It is a whole generation of people who have postponed having children and are now diverting their attention onto raising houseplants. If you’ve chosen the green path to parenthood, then there are multiple things to note, plant influencers to follow and minimalistic planters to purchase in order to be a successful one. The new normal is much like baby accessories, new and growing plants need stylish cribs to call home. The artists at 'Shibui' India are able to create beautiful and unique designs."

Atman further says, "It is a whole generation of people who have postponed having children and are now diverting their attention onto raising houseplants. If you’ve chosen the green path to parenthood, then there are multiple things to note, plant influencers to follow and minimalistic planters to purchase in order to be a successful one. The new normal is much like baby accessories, new and growing plants need stylish cribs to call home. The artists at 'Shibui' India are able to create beautiful and unique designs."

Atman's belief in fairness & equality too is at the heart of the venture. 'Shibui' is not just a startup that focuses on bettering the environment by use of stylish & creatively designed planters, but also is a shining example of social entrepreneurship. The reason: about a dozen artists, painters & labourers are supported by the initiative . 

Adds Atman, "The ideal way to fulfill my desire of giving back to society was through supporting local craftsmen in my community, India is filled with various kinds of talent and we at 'Shibui' have only recognized and empowered that talent. Our craftsmen are all local artisans." 

Atman's genuine sensitivity towards society & environment is reflected in the planters she produces. These are made of a mix of environment-friendly and ethical materials like fiber-glass, resin, & water. Fiberglass's main ingredient is glass. Since glass is made from sand ─ an abundant, natural, non-depleting resource it doesn't harm the environmental balance. 

Atman has experience of working in the field of journalism and digital marketing, which gave her the required skill set to set up an e-commerce business. Her online platform www.shopshibui.com in the midst of the pandemic, has made shopping for planters for green enthusiasts much easier. 

Sums up Atman, "Planters do not just act as décor elements, but they also are soothing to the eye. My dream is to become a household name in India as a 'Shibui' planter really completes one's personal and professional space. I want to collaborate with people and brands that are heading towards building a greener world. The ultimate aim is to work with interior designers and landscapists all over the country and also to ship worldwide eventually." 

The 'Shibui's' workshop is located in Chandigarh where the planters are handmade and hand painted. Shibui’s range of planters has 3 unique collections of different designs and colours. 

THE NORDIC –Just like the Nordic pallet- a mix of bright white, fern green, and ocean blue, this collection aims to create refreshing spaces while also radiating a sense of calm, completeness, serenity, and relaxation. Scandinavian colors are well claimed to promote intellectual thought and a sense of fairness and equality. 

THE SUNSET-Inspired by the ‘Golden Hour’, this collection encapsulates the moments of awe, moments that are seen before but never cease to capture our attention. The color palette ranges from bright yellow and flamingo pink to terra red creating excitement, enthusiasm, and warmth. 

THE MONOCHROME- Created for the ultimate minimalist, who loves metallic and understated hues. This collection gives a classic timeless touch to every space without being dominant. The Prosecco silver, champagne and rose gold colours exude understated sophistication and of the art in an urbane setting.