Niharika Khanna-Kripalu: The Home Décor Darling and Founder of Stoviglie Shop Who Curates High-End Homewares

After years of watching her family collect silverware – and being the recipient of passed-down tableware products herself – Niharika Khanna-Kripalu soon turned her fixation with forks, plates, and other high-end homewares into a business.

Niharika started focusing on her blog which started in 2017. “My passion for writing about tableware products started because my grandma loved silverware and preserved a lot of the items that were passed on to her through generations,” explains Niharika. “This intrigued me! At a certain point, I understood, especially when I started entertaining more guests at home, that your home reflects your personality, every product that you have says a little about who you are! If those products are of great quality and timeless design, you can pass them on to your kids as wedding or graduation presents.”

Her interest in luxury tableware products was piqued even more when she settled in New York and realized the diversity and demand for different types of goods. She kept blogging and gained more followers, many of whom would inquire about where to find some of the products she showcased, leading her to think that perhaps there was more she could do with this.

“I was constantly learning about different consumer behaviors and trends. I don’t think I would have had this exposure in any other city, so this is the place where I decided to start the business. It’s crucial to understand your consumer and master digital marketing in an e-commerce business.”

Niharika worked her way to the top of the tableware-selling industry and continues to educate people about her brand Stoviglie. She has developed relationships with designers from various countries that people might not be familiar with. “I wanted it to be in the luxury segment but more like Tory Burch of tableware, and not the high-end Hermès,” explains Niharika. “I wanted to sell unique items and bring those designs to the United States. I have design partners in Turkey, Italy, Egypt, India, and Japan amongst many others. There are big retailers, but I feel this niche segment gets lost in their large home categories, so I wanted to create this specific space for all your tableware and table décor needs.”

When choosing products for the summer season, Niharika says it’s all about florals – and choosing color palates that contrast the tone of your house. People try to be safe and pick plain whites or blacks, but being more experimental, say a unique plate that has an animal print on it, can create an impression. Investing in unique pieces that make your house different, whether it’s through plants or vases, can make you stand out.”

Niharika, who has a penchant for playful prints, says “The pandemic brought out people’s desires to make their houses a special place to live. Rather than just a place to crash at the end of the day, people are now more conscious about how their space looks, especially when they work from home several days a week. When I entered the industry, I was constantly looking for tableware manufacturers that stood out. Heritage designers that are focused on quality along with design are my go-to. If you’re selling at a high price point, you want to ensure the quality is fantastic. It can look nice, but it must also be sturdy.”

Niharika recently partnered with several foundations in South America and helps sell products handmade by rural craftsmen in the United States.

This young female entrepreneur wants other South Asian women, especially immigrants, to feel empowered and not be afraid to walk the entrepreneurial route in an alien country.

For more information and to purchase, visit StoviglieShop.com

@stoviglie.newyork