Sussanne Khan, the acclaimed interior designer and founder of The Charcoal Project, has revealed that her design services are priced at ₹1,200 to ₹2,000 per square foot. For instance, designing a 1,500 sq ft luxury apartment in Mumbai’s upscale suburbs can cost around ₹25–30 lakh .
Fee Structure: In a recent interview with Zerodha’s Zero1 Hustle, Sussanne Khan revealed that her firm, The Charcoal Project, charges ₹1,200 to ₹2,000 per square foot for design services.
She shared that when she launched her venture, people doubted her, warning she might “fizzle out.” But despite the early criticism, her business has thrived for over 14 years—she remarks, “By God’s grace, we are still standing strong after 14 years” .
Project Estimate Example: For a luxury 1,500 sq ft apartment in Mumbai, the total design cost comes to around ₹25–30 lakh, depending on the client’s budget, location, and material selections.
Payment Terms: The billing model is a flat fee per square foot, with no commissions on client purchases. She takes 30% upfront to start the design, and the rest is phased room by room.
Sussanne launched The Charcoal Project in 2011 as India’s first conceptual home store. Early on, she faced criticism from those dismissing her as “just another celebrity interior designer.” Some even told her, “you will fizzle out.” But she pushed forward.
After over a decade of establishment in Mumbai, The Charcoal Project opened a grand six-floor flagship store in Hyderabad, featuring themed floors, collaborations (including with Gauri Khan), smart tech integrations, art installations, and custom furnishings.
Local Manufacturing: The firm shifted from importing materials to manufacturing locally in Maharashtra over the last four years, streamlining operations and reinforcing the Made-in-India philosophy.
Resilience During COVID-19: The pandemic hit her business, prompting strategic downsizing of physical space and paving the way for expansion into new cities.
Reflecting on her journey, she said:
> “In the beginning, I faced so much flak… people dismissed me… because everybody seemed to be becoming one.”
“But by God’s grace, 14 years later, we’re still standing strong… Money comes and goes, but balance is key.”
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