Shanth Fernando is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur and chairman of the Paradise Road group of companies, which includes the Paradise Road homeware stores, The Gallery Café, and the TIntagel boutique hotel.
The Paradise Road Stores feature homeware, serveware, décor, objets d’art, souvenirs and more. All products are curated and designed by Shanth Fernando. Locally made items are manufactured by independent craftspeople, ensuring a sustainable growth of the Sri Lankan art and craft industries.
I met Shanth at the Gallery Cafe in Colombo with my partner Monica in October 2024 during a visit to Sri Lanka to teach Interior Design at the NSBM Green University
In this episode, we discover how Shanth began his career and his move into hospitality. The challenges of the Sri Lankan insurgency and what to do during a curfew. The importance of colour, texture, and cultural influences in creating spaces. The rationale behind the emergence of his signature monochrome aesthetic
And why, if you get the chance to compliment a future queen, you should do it.
Links
Shanth on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/udayshanth_fernando/?hl=en-gb
Paradise Road https://www.paradiseroad.lk/
How to be a kick-ass Interior Designer. Come and join us on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course at the University of Plymouth.https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-interior-design
Or in Sri Lanka on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course at NSBM Green Universityhttps://www.nsbm.ac.lk/course/ba-hons-in-interior-design/
Thanks to
Dave Clarke from @iamthehow (http://www.iamthehow.com) for production support and invaluable advice in the setting up of this Podcast.
Kay Hanson (https://www.instagram.com/kay_v_hanson/) for her planning support and co-hosting for these and our educational podcasts for the University of Plymouth
Mark Frith (https://www.markfrith.uk/) for composing the music and all your support and advice along the way.
I’d love like to hear feedback on the podcast. Leave a comment or get in touch via the website or Instagram.
Websitehttp://www.multistorythinking.com/contact
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/forster_jonathan/
Thanks for listening. Bye for now.