The story of Indian textiles is one of the oldest and arguably richest in the world - from raw cotton and silks that ancient Romans evocatively called 'woven winds' to the traditional printing, dyeing and weaving techniques of extraordinary detail that flourished in specific regions. The traditional kantha of the East, for instance, is a centuries-old, pre-Vedic method of crafting patchwork cloth from rags. Punjab’s intricate hand embroidery technique called phulkari originated in the 15th century. From courtly splendour to religious worship, textiles formed the backbone of India’s culture and a flourishing global trade system.

Today, this potent aspect of India’s cultural history has trickled into fresh forms and contemporary formats, as a rich archive of reference. The vibrant visual vocabulary of textiles finds echoes in modern design interpretations, from home decor and accessories to art and furnishings. This is the intersection where handcrafted apparel and home decor brand Abraham & Thakore—led by David Abraham, Rakesh Thakore and Kevin Nigli—position themselves, having launched a fresh range of wallpapers, soft furnishings, bed linens, ceramics, wall art and more, finding inspiration and celebrating the remarkable significance of Indian textile design and craftsmanship.

“We believe that design reflects the cultural environment in which it thrives and Indian textiles, with their rich and diverse techniques and vocabulary, stand as one of the most remarkable sources in the world,” mention the Indian designers, in an exclusive conversation with STIR. It was important to distil the complexity of these traditions into a straightforward and elegant aesthetic to breathe new life into old crafts and make living with our rich history seamless in an increasingly mass-produced and mechanised world.

There lay the seed of their inspiration, to create home decor that underscored an element of local craft, to be enjoyed throughout the day, imagining “how an element of craft could be enjoyed with your first cup of coffee, a dinner at home with a few friends and during a meditative moment before you tuck in for the night…Deeply rooted in the traditional vocabulary of Indian crafts and textiles, our unique design language embodies the essence of intricate techniques,” they reveal.

Anyone who has chanced upon A&T’s design offerings would know of the brand’s instantly recognisable, distinct style. Refined yet relaxed, contemporary yet enriched with cultural history, Abraham & Thakore’s strong and classic aesthetic identity has carved a niche in the design spheres of fashion and accessories. Core principles of proportion, form and volume meet a clean colour palette of blocks and monochromes, bringing precision to their works that strive to return to basics and zoom into the essentials - as witnessed in this new home living range.

“Black and white play a crucial role in this process, bringing clarity and purity. By cleansing the palette, these tones allow us to concentrate on the essentials,” they convey.

Materiality also takes centre stage, guiding the designers’ vision to ensure each piece presents a true reflection of the creative intent behind it. “Materiality is intrinsic to textile products, shaping their very essence. It determines the nature of the creation, dictates its form and conveys its expressive quality through carefully chosen yarns, meticulously woven structure and thoughtful ornamentation,” they elaborate.

An element of the handmade is succinctly omnipresent throughout the range. Soft and decidedly neutral linens set the table, while ceramics hero traditional Indian textile patterns. In collaboration with Obeetee Carpets - a legacy rug design brand that instantly resonated with the concept at the heart of A&T’s new home creations: revered crafts such as ikat and kantha feature on soft tussar fabric for a selection replete with sophisticated carpets, covers and cushions. On the walls, a range of evocative creations hero multiple heritage crafting techniques in conversation with a singular, powerful motif - the dot, insignificant until it is not.

With intricate creative practises of the past meticulously adapted to a contemporary palette, A&T’s new range yearns for modern environments to call home, adding a gentle yet powerful touch to living spaces. When asked about their foray into the home decor space, the designers tell STIR, “[It] has always been integral to our collections since the brand's inception. In fact, our first Abraham & Thakore collection was primarily launched commercially at The Conran Shop in London.” With this launch, they hope to extend their collection’s reach into both domestic and institutional settings, bringing in an evocative pause that enriches the day-to-day with cultural significance and pushing boundaries of celebrating heritage in contemporary design.