The Art of Craft and Material Repurposing
I find beauty in the forgotten. By blending reclaimed wood, antique finds, and traditional hand-painted details, I transform spaces into homes that tell your unique story.
In this Hyderabad home, we used a handcrafted lattice panel, or *jaali*, to divide the shower and dry areas in the bathroom. This traditional element, rooted in Indian and Middle Eastern architecture, adds a beautiful, functional detail that balances minimalism with a love for craft.
A closer look at the handcrafted lattice panel. The intricate design allows light to filter through while maintaining privacy. It’s a perfect example of how historical design elements can be adapted for modern living, adding texture and artistry to a clean, contemporary space.
Inspired by my travels in Morocco, these wooden salon doors create a distinctive demarcation for a passage area. Paired with green ceramic *jali* on the sides, they allow for ventilation and create a beautiful play of shadows, bringing a touch of Moroccan style into the home.
Sourcing unique pieces is a major part of my process. I found this vintage red lamp on a sourcing trip, and it now adds a perfect pop of color to a client's den. A single, well-chosen object can completely elevate the mood of a room.
The behind-the-scenes effort to bring a vision to life. Here, our team carefully maneuvers the 10-foot-high antique bookcase from Jodhpur into the 7th-floor Maddock office. It took a crane and a lot of patience, but the result was worth it.
Another angle showing the challenging process of craning the oversized bookcase up seven storeys. This is what it takes to incorporate truly unique, large-scale vintage pieces into a design, ensuring the final space has unparalleled character and history.
A display of "The hand & it's tools" at the AD Design Show. These are the instruments that have been used for centuries by craftsmen to create the beautiful, detailed work I so admire. They are a humble reminder of the human skill behind every masterpiece.
Meeting Thiyagarajan, a textile designer from a small town in Tamil Nadu, at the AD Design Show. It is always inspiring to connect with artists and craftsmen from across India and listen to their stories of passion and dedication to their craft.
With the talented women who create museum-quality Kantha work. Learning from their simplicity, joy, and profound skill is a deeply humbling experience. Their hands weave stories into fabric, a tradition I am passionate about preserving and showcasing.
A closer look at the incredible detail of Kantha embroidery, a craft passed down through generations in Bengal. Each stitch tells a story, and seeing these artists at work is a powerful reminder of the value of handmade traditions.
About The Art of Craft & Repurposing
Every object I choose has a past. Whether it is a ten-foot Jodhpur bookcase hoisted into a seventh-floor cabin or delicate lattice panels carved by hand to partition a room, I focus on the human effort that makes these items singular.
When I start a new project, I do not look for catalogs or factory-made finishes. I look for the story. My process starts with sourcing vintage materials like reclaimed teak wood from old demolished homes, antique marble, or forgotten hardware that still holds its original charm.
Integrating these pieces into a modern apartment in Mumbai or a workspace in Hyderabad requires more than just aesthetics. It requires technical planning. For example, installing a ten-foot-tall antique cabinet in a high-rise demands crane logistics and structural reinforcement, but the result is a library that feels like it has lived for generations.
I also work closely with master craftspeople who keep traditional techniques alive. We incorporate jaali screens for natural ventilation and privacy, hand-painted murals to add depth, and traditional Kantha or Gudari textiles to provide texture. This approach creates rooms that are not just functional, but deeply atmospheric. If you are interested in transforming your space using historical elements and reclaimed furniture, let us start a conversation about what your home could become.
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