Over the last few years, India’s fashion designers have expanded to home decor. We speak to them about home furnishing, decor recommendations and the rituals behind a festival such as Diwali. David Abraham and Rakesh Thakore, the designers behind the Delhi-based Abraham and Thakore, a luxury Indian fashion brand blending handloom textiles with modern minimalism, are inspired by Indian textiles and techniques through kantha, ikat and bandhani on soft furnishings and ceramics, with home fragrance and crockery gift sets making up the rest of their home collection.
Mumbai-based fashion designer Payal Khandwala has chosen brass for her home accessories, each object carrying the sensibility of the brand through architectural forms and carefully considered proportions, to be used at the office, bar or around the home. The festive collection launched by Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja of Shivan & Narresh, a luxury travel and holiday lifestyle brand based in Gurugram, revels in an eclectic selection of crockery, glassware, table linen, cutlery, bed and bath linen, cushions, rugs, candle holders, art wallpapers, stationery and games in luxurious materials and a striking palette.
For Monica Shah, co-founder and artistic director of JADE, an Indian couture label based in Mumbai, JADE Home is a representation of her past work as a furniture designer, with handmade ceramics painted with flora and fauna, sculptural objects, silverware and Kansa. And Anavila Misra’s eponymous luxury fashion and home brand based in Gurugram has launched a collection in a cornucopia of earthy materials and neutral tones with soft florals, perfect for a picnic or an evening soiree. Aneeth Arora of péro (péro means “to wear” in Marwari, a dialect of Rajasthan) has chosen the themes of ‘Eat, Sleep, Clean’, and ‘Live or Play’ for linens, quilts, carpets and pillow covers, while Gaurang Shah’s Gaurang, a handwoven Indian textile brand based in Hyderabad, celebrates traditional, handcrafted Indian fabric across their home collection, in haldi and neel hues for bed linen, rugs and cushions.
What is that one simple routine that quickly turns a boring corner into an inviting alcove for the festive season?
David Abraham
“I would begin by looking at the home with fresh eyes rather than introducing too many new things. A little rearranging, fresh flowers, the warmth of diyas and a change of textiles can transform a space. I would bring out cushions, table linen and objects that have a personal connection, perhaps mixing something contemporary with pieces collected over the years. For me, a home should never feel overly decorated or too perfect. It should feel lived in, welcoming and reflective of the people who inhabit it. Diwali is a lovely opportunity to bring that feeling into the home.”
Anavila Misra
“Diwali, for me, is all about marigolds, lotuses and lights. It begins with doing the rounds of my neighbourhood plant nurseries.”
Gaurang Shah
“Diwali is a wonderful opportunity to renew our relationship with our homes. I love bringing in meaningful, handcrafted pieces that introduce fresh colours, textures and stories into a space, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth, joy and a sense of belonging.”
Monica Shah
“I love bringing out my old textiles. Over the years, I have collected pieces that hold memories and stories. I like spreading them around the house, using them as table runners, throws or even layering them over existing furniture. They instantly bring warmth, colour and character into a space. I prefer to work with what I have and give familiar things a fresh expression.”
Payal Khandwala
“Flowers are always a good idea — I like rajnigandha around the house for Diwali. As a family, we also enjoy putting up festive lights together. We have two rambunctious dogs, so we skip the traditional diyas.”
Aneeth Arora
“It isn’t something that waits until Diwali. Sprucing up the home is an ongoing process, with little things being refreshed, rearranged and taken care of bit by bit. A home evolves constantly.”
Narresh Kukreja
“I am a little old-school when it comes to Diwali, so a fresh coat of paint is almost like making your home wear new clothes! It instantly lifts the energy of the space. Beyond that, I love bringing something living into every room: fresh flowers, a few plants, the warm glow of a candle or even an aquarium. Every room should have something that brings it to life.”
Could you share personal traditions and decor ideas?
““I enjoy the idea of bringing people together around a table, using things we have collected and loved over the years, and creating an atmosphere that feels warm and personal. I would recommend making time to sit down and share a meal with family and friends, without the distractions of everyday life.”David Abraham
Anavila Misra
“Creating your own version of rangoli is great for adding a personal touch to your festive celebrations. I add fruits, vegetables and flowers from my own garden to make mine. I also make sure I have jars full of homemade mithais and yes, I do make my own paans.”
Gaurang Shah
“I love the idea of creating a dedicated festive corner with fresh flowers, a beautiful textile, a traditional brass or kansa object and the soft glow of lamps. I find great beauty in simple gestures that honour familiar traditions and bring warmth, meaning and a sense of continuity into our everyday lives.”
Monica Shah
“I recommend using flowers, diyas, brass objects, old textiles and things that have sentimental value. The most thoughtful festive homes are those that feel personal and lived in.”
“Leaving the city and catching a quiet safari holiday with my husband and daughter has become an annual tradition. Poor connectivity really helps. I recommend going offline and spending time with those who mean the most to you, preferably in nature.”Payal Khandwala
Aneeth Arora
“Slow down a little, spend time at home, and give every corner of the house extra love and care. Just relaxing, enjoying the space and soaking in the warmth of being at home.”
Narresh Kukreja
“Refreshing a little corner of the home, bringing out favourite objects and giving familiar spaces a new lease of life. I also try to stick to my fitness and eating routine — a little trick is to always eat at home before stepping out, so I can enjoy the festivities and indulge in a few favourites without going completely overboard.”
Which feature from your home collection would work best on game night or at the Diwali table?
David Abraham
“I would choose the Nazar marble platter. I love the idea of something so simple carrying such a meaningful detail: the black dots interrupted by a single red one, inspired by the traditional belief that breaking a pattern wards off the evil eye. For Diwali, I would place it on a dining or console table, perhaps with a few seasonal fruits, a small arrangement of flowers and a couple of diyas around it. I would keep everything else quite understated, allowing the platter to become the focal point. Festive decor doesn’t necessarily need to be elaborate. Sometimes, one thoughtfully chosen object, with a story behind it, can make a space feel special.”
Anavila Misra
“I’d pick our Nectarina table runner with our signature appliqué work. It is the perfect canvas for a festive table with candles, mithai and marigold and lotuses.”
Gaurang Shah
“I would choose a beautifully handwoven jamdani table linen. I might introduce the golden yellows of my HALDI collection or the deeper indigo tones of NEEL. I would also love to layer block-printed fabrics, subtle batik patterns or hand-embroidered details. I would build a festive tablescape around it, bringing together kansa serveware, ceramic dinnerware, brass accents, fresh flowers and the warm glow of traditional diyas.”
Monica Shah
“I would pick our burgundy embossed tulip platter. I love the idea of using it to serve an assortment of traditional mithai, perhaps with fresh mogra flowers scattered around it.”
Payal Khandwala
“I like to use my home collection (crafted entirely in brass) in unlikely ways: I fill the brass ashtrays with mogra buds or petals to create pockets of fragrance around the house. The incense holder brings a sense of ritual without overpowering a space. We’ve created a whimsical modular game set of Tic Tac Toe in brass.”
Aneeth Arora
“The playful curtain strings paired with the sheer Bojagi curtains would make a lovely festive combination. Together, they create a light, whimsical and playful feel. Used all around the home, they add a little charm and character to different corners.”
Narresh Kukreja
“I’d pick the Saf Plant Holder from the Objects d’Arts collection. I love how it works as a sculptural object on its own, yet can be styled in so many ways. For Diwali, I’d fill it with fresh orange tulips or lilies for a pop of colour, or bring in lush green foliage for a more understated look.”
The freelance writer is based in Chennai.
