--- title: "Restored Camphor Wood Wall Art | Heritage Restoration & Upcycling" description: "Discover the process of turning architectural salvage into fine art. See how I restore camphor wood panels and upcycle heritage materials into unique wall decor." canonical: https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/from-salvage-to-story-a-camphor-panel-s-journey last_updated: 2026-02-10 --- # Restored Camphor Wood Wall Art & Heritage Decor Tribe Verified · Five months of meticulous heritage restoration. By [Chandan Dubey](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey) · Visit workshop in Worli, Mumbai; Ships across India · ₹6,500 per piece (estimate) Part of [Custom Furniture Restoration & Upcycled Decor](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/gallery) Watch how a discarded camphor wood panel found a second life. I transformed this architectural salvage into a fine art piece, blending hand-painting, custom brass engraving, and historical storytelling. ## Photos and videos - ![The beginning of the journey. This is the salvaged camphor wood panel as I found it, with its beautiful carvings but also with damaged and missing parts. I saw its potential to tell a new story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2db4c093-b45a-4e1b-9925-f37131b7efac) - ![A closer look at the damage. The old, rusted iron mesh was one of the first things to be removed. Restoration is always the first and most crucial step in my process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/effeb451-bdc4-42d4-bfbf-ee61a59d2ff0) - ![The first hand-painted panel, a depiction of Krishna with the gopis, created in the style of miniature painting. This artwork would later be integrated into the larger restored panel.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1327de4c-6a36-4c9d-a0f3-4d4192569cd6) - [Video: This video shows the process of painting the second portrait of Radha and Krishna. Each brushstroke is done with care, bringing the divine couple to life on paper before it is set into the panel.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/22b23858-9cc0-4c02-ad68-40c95db526f3) - ![The transformation of the jharokha-like opening. I commissioned a local engraver to create this hand-engraved brass insert with a poplar tree motif, replacing the damaged mesh with a touch of polished elegance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8080aad9-181b-4d89-b989-d48cfc38781b) - [Video: A close-up video of the new hand-engraved brass insert. The warm sheen of the metal adds a rich, polished detail that honors the original craftsmanship of the panel.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b3305842-5416-4bef-b820-fafb32b19f28) - ![A detail shot showing the new brass insert alongside the vibrant, hand-painted borders and floral patterns. The mix of materials and textures is what brings the piece to life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9ca2a6e1-2d06-49cc-a20e-0aec16a476d6) - ![A close-up of the second portrait of Radha and Krishna, now set within the restored and painted panel. The surrounding details, from the painted pillars to the tropical foliage, create a complete scene.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f9d86f8d-ea77-4410-b077-c5c8e89f327f) - ![Another detail of the finished panel, showing the intricate layers of painting, decoupage, and architectural elements. Every inch of the panel is filled with color and story.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/071c02f1-e83b-4831-8e36-8e14e5891e47) - ![The completed artwork, framed against a vibrant red Banarasi silk. The five-month journey from scrap to story is complete, with the panel now a fine art piece ready to be displayed.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/13a6906d-864c-49d9-bd2e-2f29e40b2315) - ![The final piece, displayed as stunning wall art in a beautifully styled room. This is the ultimate goal of my work: to transform forgotten objects into cherished heirlooms that enrich a home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9bb3440f-b482-4c44-8bb7-5373268c4ade) ## About From Salvage to Story: A Camphor Panel's Journey The transformation of this panel took five months of meticulous, manual work. It was not just about surface painting; I had to completely replace the damaged, rusted iron mesh with custom, hand-engraved brass inserts and meticulously hand-paint the Radha-Krishna portraits to fit the architectural geometry of the wood, ensuring every layer respected the original grain. ### The Journey from Scrap to Story Restoration is never just a cosmetic fix. When I encountered this camphor wood panel, it was worn, broken, and essentially viewed as architectural salvage. My work began with a long process of cleaning and structural repair—respecting the original teak and camphor wood that had already lived a full life. ### Integrating Traditional Techniques The central challenge was blending new art with old structure. The damaged iron mesh was replaced with custom brass inserts. I worked with a local engraver to create a poplar tree motif, providing a refined, polished counterpoint to the raw wood. The paintings themselves were created as miniature portraits of Radha and Krishna, intended to feel like they were always part of the panel’s history. Each brushstroke was applied to paper before being integrated into the panel's frames, allowing for a depth of detail you cannot achieve directly on the wood. ### Framing and Presentation To elevate the final piece, I mounted the completed panel against a vibrant red Banarasi silk, framing the entire assembly. This contrast between the raw, repurposed wood and the soft, rich texture of the silk creates a dialogue between different Indian craft traditions. The final piece is not just wall art; it is a preserved record of an object that was once discarded, now serving as a permanent fixture in a modern home. If you are holding onto architectural pieces or salvaged heirlooms that deserve a second life, this is the kind of project I love to undertake. We can discuss how to translate your personal stories into physical, mixed-media art. ## About Chandan Dubey I see old trunks, broken clock frames, and forgotten boxes as storytellers waiting to be heard. My work is about 'scrap to story'—giving discarded materials a new voice through restoration, hand-painting, and a deep respect for Indian heritage. If you have a piece that needs a new chapter, let's talk about reimagining it together. [See all of Chandan Dubey's services](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey) ## More from Custom Furniture Restoration & Upcycled Decor by Chandan Dubey - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/featured) - [Kalamkari & Temple Art Trunks](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/kalamkari-temple-art-trunks) - [Custom Memory Boxes](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/custom-memory-boxes) - [The Navagraha Series: Celestial Wall Art](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/the-navagraha-series-celestial-wall-art) - [The Devi Triptych: Pattachitra Inspired Frames](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/the-devi-triptych-pattachitra-inspired-frames) - [Heirloom Prabhavali Transformations](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/heirloom-prabhavali-transformations) - [Modular Pichwai Wall Art](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/modular-pichwai-wall-art) - [Behind the Art](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-furniture-restoration-upcycled-decor/behind-the-art) ## More services by Chandan Dubey - [Custom & Handcrafted Textile Decor](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-handcrafted-textile-decor) - [Custom & Artisanal Apparel Design](https://mytribe.in/chandandubey/custom-artisanal-apparel-design) ## Similar work from other experts - [Restoring Heritage Homes: The Art of Adaptive Reuse](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/the-restoration-process) by Richa Bahl · Heritage Restoration · Takes projects across India; Visit Design Studio in Bandra West, Mumbai - [A Peek Into My Handmade Art Process](https://mytribe.in/greengoldjewellery2009/indian-artisan-home-decor/the-artist-s-journey) by Greengold · Indian Artisan Home Decor · Ships across India - [Behind the Scenes of My Art Studio & Process](https://mytribe.in/thecoloringstories/commissioned-art-decor/my-creative-process-studio-life) by Rimjhim · Commissioned Art & Decor · Ships across India; Studio in Harlur, Bengaluru - [Heritage Reimagined: Ancient Motifs for Modern Interiors](https://mytribe.in/ankitaaryadesignstudio/custom-artwork-for-furniture-interior-surfaces/heritage-reimagined-ancient-stories-modern-homes) by Ankita Arya · Custom Artwork for Furniture & Interior Surfaces · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Sector 54, Gurugram - [How We Turn Raw Stone Into Art](https://mytribe.in/stoneartwala/architectural-stone-cladding-wall-decor/the-artisan-s-process-from-stone-to-story) by Stoneartwala · Architectural Stone Cladding & Wall Decor · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Greater Noida - [The Doors & Windows Art Series](https://mytribe.in/artbyrupalik/commissioned-paintings-for-interior-design/the-doors-windows-series) by Rupali Jhaveri · Commissioned Paintings for Interior Design · Takes projects across India ## Book To book Chandan Dubey, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20looking%20for%20Custom%20Furniture%20Restoration%20%26%20Upcycled%20Decor%20by%20Chandan%20Dubey.) 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