Blending Craft With Modern Glam: 3 Homes That Honour The Past Through Thoughtful Design

In Indian homes, there is a growing appreciation for the beauty and authenticity of traditional craftsmanship. Age-old artisanal techniques and traditional craftsmanship are being revived and reimagined for modern homes and contemporary audiences. From handwoven textiles to intricate metal accents and ceramics, designers embrace time-honoured and traditional heritage skills and crafts and infuse them with modern artisan designs to create contemporary spaces. This revival will not only preserve cultural legacies and traditional craftsmanship, but has also led to the creation of distinguished furniture and home decor while celebrating indigenous craftsmanship. By blending ancient crafts with luxury decor, these three homes show that ancient crafts still hold a powerful place in contemporary designs.

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1. A Second Life For Classic Craftsmanship In Kochi

Using handmade home decor and traditional craftsmanship in the form of restored furniture is a great way to incorporate artisanal luxury in contemporary homes. This house in the scenic port city of Kochi in Kerala is full of memories and old-world charm. Designed by Priya Rose and Rahul Mathew from the Ernakulam-based studio Workers of Art (WOA), this 3,000-sq-ft apartment incorporates careful design, crafts, and restored furniture with a modern take on traditional Indian home designs that it offers. The home offers a fine example of how artisanship influences modern design. The three-bedroom home signifies the family’s roots and Kerala’s rich culture while creating new memories. 

The design for House of Recollections was inspired by the traditional concept of ‘Illam,’ which in Malayalam translates to ‘house.’ Illams are traditionally residences with open courtyards, which is a signature in the ancestral homes of Kerala. Incorporating some of the features of an illam, the designers have included Vedic architecture in the form of an open layout, soft colours, carved wooden furniture, and metal accents.

Intending to create a home that felt personal and effortless with minimalist designs that highlight the client’s experiences and heirlooms, the designers planned the layout of the house. “The clients wanted a home that would feel deeply personal, where they wouldn’t have to ‘adjust’ every time they returned from overseas. The quiet backdrop also complements the client’s practice as an artist, allowing her future artworks to take centre stage. The design strips away excess, allowing the focus to remain on what truly matters: their experiences, their heirlooms, and their evolving collection of memories,” says Rose.

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2. Bringing Chettinad Traditions Into Modern Luxury In Coimbatore

This home incorporates heritage crafts in the architectural elements. The Flat Bread Apartment, designed by Bricks & Beams, is inspired by traditional Chettinad villas and blended with styles from Kerala and colonial times. This 3,300-sq-ft home on the 12th floor of Coimbatore’s building echoes the vibrant lifestyle of Chettiars, who are the local inhabitants of the Chettiar region, and is an example of blending ancient crafts with luxury decor. 

The crimson vaulted ceiling embellished with intricate frescoes, coupled with wooden-panelled accents, crafted wooden furniture, vibrant wall pieces, and checkered flooring, gives an overall cultural experience and shows how artisanship influences modern designs, which also continues into the more private areas of the house. In the master bedroom, for instance, an 8×8 ft hexagonal cot reflects itself in the antique mirrors. The home is filled with bright colours, wooden accents, and design elements from traditional Chettinad houses. Dinakar Manie, founder and principal designer of Bricks & Beams, says, “Complementary textures, patterns, and colours travel across the house through the floors and ceilings.” 

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3. Rich Textures And Timeless Elegance: The Rajasthani Colonial Blend In Pune

Luxury meets tradition, and how artisanship influences modern design is evident in this Pune home. Designed by Aashi Gupta Designs, this spatial home is a blend of traditional Rajasthani grandeur with a British colonial influence. Traditional craftsmanship shines through in the wooden accents, furniture, and vintage antiques, with heritage pieces featured prominently in the specially curated library. Wrapped in teak veneer panelling with wooden flooring, the library is the highlight of the home. The grid-patterned wooden ceiling and antique-inspired couches with leather chairs and vintage chandelier add to the timeless elegance of the space. Founder and principal designer, Aashi Gupta, shares, “The library is infused with history, luxury, and craftsmanship. Our vision was to create a space that invites exploration, nurtures intellect, and exudes quiet luxury.”

The bookshelves are adorned with classic arches and ornate detailing. The rug sprawling on the floor below the brocade-upholstered seating arrangement enhances the grandeur of the space. Rajasthani designs are found in the storied lineage and jharoka-style reading nooks and traditional corners of the home, blending ancient crafts with luxury decor.

By incorporating ancient crafts into modern designs, these Indian homes showcase how traditional artisanship shapes contemporary interiors. This blend of the past and present helps preserve Indian cultural heritage while infusing artisanal luxury into contemporary spaces, adding a unique touch to every home.