Craftsmanship, cultural identity, heritage and personal expression are dominating interior design conversations this year. Be it through traditional textiles, artisanal wall coverings, earthy colours or reclaimed materials, the focus is shifting towards homes that tell a story with conscious design choices.
Design Democracy 2026, which concluded recently in Hyderabad, fit right in with a mix of luxury, design and art to meet the growing demand for unique spaces. A bar that collapsed to look like a set of gigantic leather travel cases. Roberto Cavalli grand cru crystal wine goblets that you have seen in the latest K-drama. Wallpaper with three-dimensional art in which a peacock’s mane is studded with semi-precious stones and brass feathers.
The fourth edition catered to potential buyers who wished to think beyond green leather couches and bespoke cabinets. The exhibits unfolded as layered compositions of materiality, craftsmanship, narrative and function. Nearly 200 brands, 1,500 leading architects and designers under one roof translated into tasteful pieces of art.
On display were one-of-a-kind pieces. Imagine an artwork that moves — a wall-mounted kinetic design that changed form with a single touch, reminiscent of Mystique from X-Men. As the pieces moved within the frame, it chimed softly and went from looking like a sand dune of steel to more like a piece of jigsaw puzzle laid flat. Studio Motionworks’ stall was one that made visitors pause. The Ahmedabad-based firm, with a tagline ‘things which move’, creates kinetic sculptures and lighting, apart from moving building façades. A great mix of art and engineering.
Whether through meticulously worked metal surfaces, sculptural stone interventions, hand-crafted textile expressions or the warmth of richly grained timber, the focus remained on elevating craft beyond ornamentation. A distinctly Indian interpretation of contemporary luxury ran through the exhibition. Apart from works of master craftsmen, most pieces were a reflection of technique and cultural narratives, reimagining them for modern contexts. When it came to art, the showcase urged visitors to think beyond framed pieces. Designer Gaurang Shah’s hand-painted kalamkari panels on silk brought textile traditions into a contemporary design dialogue.
At Design Democracy, it was evident that walls are now treated as canvases. Labels such as Topstona, with their luxury stone collection for walls and floors, proved the same. The brand’s tactile and textured brilliance shone in three-dimensional art works created with natural stone.
Baaya
Baaya Artful Spaces showcased Indian craft traditions layered with symbolism, material knowledge and storytelling, through skilled makers. Handcrafted mirror work with brass jali or copper enamel went beyond visual appeal. With texture came character, contributing to a distinct look. Shibani Jain, founder and creative director at Baaya, a spatial design studio based out of Mumbai said, “Our signature Ocean floor mural is a handcrafted seascape with swirling corals, resting shells, rippled sand beds, and drifting seaweed done in copper enamel, painting and mixed media.” The pieces, a viewer’s delight, have the soft hues of the ocean, melting blues, hues of white and green to depict marine life. Ocean World in the form of a wall mural. Jain added that the inspiration came from “feeling the ocean from the shore. The ocean lets everything melt, like the sand that washes away from under your feet.”
Oorjaa
Elsewhere, Oorjaa’s light designs with handmade paper, plant fibres, and reclaimed materials made a striking appearance. From the floor lights to wall sconces and sculptures, it exuded warmth in nature-inspired designs. The honeycomb ceiling lights stood out.
Collective Craft
Collective Craft, a Delhi-based design studio integrated traditional crafts into larger architectural and interior projects rather than limiting them to small decorative products. The space divider piece reinterpreted Pattachitra, traditionally seen on palm leaves or cloth-based scrolls, into a functional architectural element. Chief designer Sibabnand Bhol explains, “Rather than remaining as wall art, the craft is reimagined as an object that interacts with space. The movable painted discs on another piece of the space divider encourage engagement and exploration, allowing viewers to interact with the work while discovering stories embedded within it.”
Neytt Homes
Neytt Homes from Alleppey, Kerala, whose rugs have reached the Met Gala red carpet for four consecutive years, drew onlookers with the ‘Unity Rug’, a hand-tufted black-and-white masterpiece created with designer Vanessa Meister Varma based out of Kochi. The brand also unveiled Zarbuland from their Bidri Collection, which gave a modern, ecologically conscious twist to traditional Bidriware motifs, all made from sustainable sissal.
Square Knots
Square Knots brought in a showstopper — a wall rug with the distinct minarets of Charminar, pigeons the magnificent rocks and a banyan tree of the Deccan region. The rug was a tribute to Hyderabad, and this corner soon became one of the most photographed spots.
Special exhibitions
Four special exhibitions curated by designers explored the evolving language of the country’s design through materiality, memory, and imagination.
Museum of Telangana, curated by Supraja Rao, principal designer and founder of Kadari Art Gallery, explored architecture rooted in Telangana’s climate, craft, and regional identity.
Also praiseworthy was the gallery of sustainability co-curated by Jasem Pirani and Huzefa Rangwala, co-founders of MuseLAB. This exhibition brought together conscious design practices from across India, reflecting not just on how we build but on why we build, and exploring the designer’s role in shaping an ethical, sustainable, and resilient future.
Art Edit by political spokesperson Anish Gawande displayed an intersection of contemporary art and design, spotlighting artists who push the boundaries of creativity. The display in his gallery was art wrapped in uber luxury.
Published – September 25, 2026 06:30 pm IST
