A house painted by craft

Pichwai, Kalamkari and Bhujodi crafts shape the visual canvas of this contemporary Pune home

01 Jul 2026

Colour arrives gradually in this Pune home. A handwoven textile draped across the bed, a glimpse of crimson within a Mata ni Pachedi or the detailing of a Pichwai artwork resting against a soft grey wall. Lime-washed surfaces, warm Tandur flooring and natural wood; these moments of colour feel all the more pronounced. Rather than treating art and craft as decorative additions, the home envisioned by Shrutika Raut Design Studio allows them to shape its atmosphere, providing warmth, texture and a sense of familiarity to everyday spaces.

Designed for a family returning to India after several years abroad, the 3,000 sq ft residence is less about style and fixed themes and more about intention and belonging. The brief was to go beyond reconstructing nostalgia, and instead create a contemporary setting where Indian crafts, textiles and artworks sit comfortably within the rhythms of present-day life.

“The intention was not to centre the home around a singular theme or a stylistic reference. Instead, the focus remained on refining proportion, material and detail for the space to come together as a cohesive whole”

– Shrutika Raut

Anchored by a customised Pichwai artwork from Claome India, the living room layers handcrafted textiles, custom furniture and a vintage-inspired rug from Contrast Living against an olive-toned lime-finished partition by The Concrete Works; Photography by Hemant Patil

ART IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Throughout the home, art and textiles appear as natural extensions of the architecture. A large Pichwai and Nathdwara artwork anchors the living space, while customised Mata ni Pachedi, Kalamkari and Pichwai pieces introduce colour and pattern into the bedrooms. Rather than overwhelming the interiors, these works have been thoughtfully integrated into the overall palette, sitting comfortably within the contemporary setting.

Textiles continue the narrative. Bhujodi weaves appear across cushions, rugs, bedspreads and upholstery, introducing layers of colour through shades of olive, blue, purple and crimson. Together, the artworks and textiles create a visual richness that unfolds gradually, rewarding closer observation as one moves through the home.

Handcrafted textiles and natural light lend the bedroom a quiet, lived-in character, while the garden-facing opening strengthens its connection to the outdoors. Soft furnishings by Suta and Junekeri Homes, rug by Jaipur Rugs, lamp by Gulmohar Lane custom-designed furniture and lime finish by The Concrete Works; Photography by Hemant Patil

A BACKDROP FOR CRAFT

The architecture takes a more restrained approach. River-washed yellow Tandur flooring runs throughout the home, creating a warm foundation that shifts subtly with changing daylight. Walls remain largely neutral, allowing the colours and textures of the artwork to take centre stage.

Lime wash is introduced selectively across the interiors. An olive-toned finish defines the kitchen partition, while soft grey lime-washed walls in the bedrooms create a muted backdrop for the handcrafted pieces. Natural wood appears throughout the furniture and detailing, bringing another layer of warmth without adding visual excess.

The result is a carefully balanced palette where colour emerges through craft rather than through bold finishes or decorative treatments.

Artwork is by Nakhrro, lamp is by Home Canvas, soft furnishings are by Suta and Junekeri Homes and lime finish by The Concrete Works; Photography by Hemant Patil

THE ART OF PROPORTION

One of the defining features of the home is its double-height living area. “While it offers a certain presence, the approach was to bring it closer to a more human and intimate experience,” says Shrutika. Horizontal wooden mouldings stretch across the walls, visually breaking down the height and creating a stronger sense of proportion.

A glass-block railing further contributes to this feeling of continuity, maintaining visual connections between levels while allowing light to filter through. Bespoke furniture and lighting respond to the same language, reinforcing a sense of cohesion throughout the interiors.

What emerges is a home that finds its character in layers rather than statements. Art, textiles and materiality work together to create spaces that feel warm, lived-in and deeply personal, where contemporary living and traditional craft sit side by side comfortably.