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Anannya Sarkar profile imageAnannya SarkarPublished on

From Naga heritage to Bengal crafts, these brands spotlight the best of Indian artisanship.

7 decor brands rooted in Indian heritage accents and sustainability

From a Naga heritage brand to one that works with 10,000 artisans across India, these seven design initiatives imbibe a contemporary spirit into Indian crafts

One of the significant shifts in how the present generation of homeowners decorates their abodes is steeped in celebrating the craftsmanship of India and its diverse forms. Tapping into this demand are a few design studios and art projects that fuse contemporary aesthetics into Indian artisanal crafts, making them more covetable to the modern-day Indian customer. Think a table runner made of bamboo in mixed colours, a wooden showpiece with intricate brass work, a ceramic sculpture with quirky facial expressions and bed linen with intrinsically Indian designs and fabric . We list seven design initiatives you should know about if you're looking for decor inspiration rooted in Indian sensibilities. 

Sarthak Sahil (@sarthaksahil)Championing ‘glocal’ style, New Delhi-based design duo Sahil Bagga and Sarthak Sengupta’s expertise lies in customising products, furniture, lighting and installations through the innovative use of Indian craftsmanship and materials to furnish homes and contemporary spaces. Chairs wrapped in hand-woven, colourful threads and an eclectic collection of lights in the form of lamps and other statement pieces are signatures of the brand, which are rooted in sustainable production systems. Embracing local communities and participating in reducing carbon footprint are mindful steps that the brand employs and believes in. 

Sarthak Sahil (@sarthaksahil)

Championing ‘glocal’ style, New Delhi-based design duo Sahil Bagga and Sarthak Sengupta’s expertise lies in customising products, furniture, lighting and installations through the innovative use of Indian craftsmanship and materials to furnish homes and contemporary spaces. 

Chairs wrapped in hand-woven, colourful threads and an eclectic collection of lights in the form of lamps and other statement pieces are signatures of the brand, which are rooted in sustainable production systems. Embracing local communities and participating in reducing carbon footprint are mindful steps that the brand employs and believes in. 

Jesmina Zeliang (@heirloom.naga)Using traditional textiles from Nagaland in contemporary iterations forms the backbone of this brand, which was started with a single weaver in 1993. Aesthetic additions such as braided tassels, reintroducing cotton and eri silk, and 'loin-loom' weaving are some techniques that comprise the brand's design vocabulary. The brand focuses on heritage crafts from the region and now has a network of 450 weavers, as they continue making home products.

Jesmina Zeliang (@heirloom.naga)

Using traditional textiles from Nagaland in contemporary iterations forms the backbone of this brand, which was started with a single weaver in 1993. Aesthetic additions such as braided tassels, reintroducing cotton and eri silk, and 'loin-loom' weaving are some techniques that comprise the brand's design vocabulary. The brand focuses on heritage crafts from the region and now has a network of 450 weavers, as they continue making home products.

ARTISANS' by Radhi Parekh (@artisancentre)Founded by Radhi Parekh, Artisans’ has evolved from a social project to a design destination in Mumbai that champions indigenous arts and crafts. The brand reimagines Indian craft and textiles and uses technology to make them more accessible through thoughtful events and curated experiences. Their website lists 10,000 artisans, designers and social entrepreneurs who have worked with the group. 

ARTISANS' by Radhi Parekh (@artisancentre)

Founded by Radhi Parekh, Artisans’ has evolved from a social project to a design destination in Mumbai that champions indigenous arts and crafts. The brand reimagines Indian craft and textiles and uses technology to make them more accessible through thoughtful events and curated experiences. Their website lists 10,000 artisans, designers and social entrepreneurs who have worked with the group. 

Organic Connect (@theorganicconnect)Crafts and traditional hand skills of the Indian subcontinent inspire Organic Connect. The intricate Mughal technique of wood carving on blocks used for printing textiles forms its core with design collectibles that seamlessly fit into a contemporary space. Built on wood such as shisham and teak, a generational community of artisans in the Chhipiwara, Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh forms the brand's backbone. In the hands of Sardar Hussain—who passed away due to COVID-19 last year—the craft was modernised with the addition of brass inlay and a new range of products.

Organic Connect (@theorganicconnect)

Crafts and traditional hand skills of the Indian subcontinent inspire Organic Connect. The intricate Mughal technique of wood carving on blocks used for printing textiles forms its core with design collectibles that seamlessly fit into a contemporary space. Built on wood such as shisham and teak, a generational community of artisans in the Chhipiwara, Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh forms the brand's backbone. In the hands of Sardar Hussain—who passed away due to COVID-19 last year—the craft was modernised with the addition of brass inlay and a new range of products.

Kyoona (@kyoonaofficial)At its core, Kyoona is a choice. To put design at the centre of everything, the brand translates India’s essence into items that are “handcrafted, hand-numbered and available only in limited quantities”. Think 100 per cent cotton bed linen, contemporary designs, cushion covers and duvet covers made in collaboration with artisans and artists from across the country, who merge modern aesthetics with an Indian visual language to create mindful designs.

Kyoona (@kyoonaofficial)

At its core, Kyoona is a choice. To put design at the centre of everything, the brand translates India’s essence into items that are “handcrafted, hand-numbered and available only in limited quantities”. Think 100 per cent cotton bed linen, contemporary designs, cushion covers and duvet covers made in collaboration with artisans and artists from across the country, who merge modern aesthetics with an Indian visual language to create mindful designs.

Patterned Studio (@pattterned_studio)Largely hinged on ceramic and glassware, Patterned Studio also uses material such as porcelain and terracotta to make tableware, gardenware, lights and miscellaneous products. The studio makes everything by hand and uses the pottery wheel, too, while hand-painting most objects to make the traditional, tactile craft of ceramics more contemporary.

Patterned Studio (@pattterned_studio)

Largely hinged on ceramic and glassware, Patterned Studio also uses material such as porcelain and terracotta to make tableware, gardenware, lights and miscellaneous products. The studio makes everything by hand and uses the pottery wheel, too, while hand-painting most objects to make the traditional, tactile craft of ceramics more contemporary.

GreenEarth by Bashobi Tewari (@bashobi.tewari)Working with weavers and artisans from West Bengal, founder Bashobi Tewari, who enjoys using natural fibres and heritage crafts, wants to help craftspeople find a market for quality products. Created from sustainable, non-violent, eco-friendly fibres like bamboo, madur and sitalpati, the brand's collection of hand-woven place mats, table runners, floor mats and cushions are made combining traditional skills with contemporary designs to help the crafts sector become a viable income source for village-based artisans.

GreenEarth by Bashobi Tewari (@bashobi.tewari)

Working with weavers and artisans from West Bengal, founder Bashobi Tewari, who enjoys using natural fibres and heritage crafts, wants to help craftspeople find a market for quality products. Created from sustainable, non-violent, eco-friendly fibres like bamboo, madur and sitalpati, the brand's collection of hand-woven place mats, table runners, floor mats and cushions are made combining traditional skills with contemporary designs to help the crafts sector become a viable income source for village-based artisans.

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