A 4,200 sq ft sanctuary where traditional Indian craftsmanship converses with contemporary minimalism, creating spaces that honor heritage while embracing modern sensibilities.
When the clients—a young family with deep appreciation for both art and sustainability—approached us, they brought with them a collection of contemporary Indian art and a vision: a home that would serve not merely as shelter, but as a carefully curated backdrop for their evolving life story. The husband, a technology entrepreneur, and his wife, a cultural anthropologist, sought spaces that could accommodate their dual existence—the demands of contemporary professional life and their commitment to preserving artisanal traditions.
The architecture presented us with generous ceiling heights and abundant natural light—rare luxuries in urban Delhi. Rather than impose a predetermined aesthetic, we let these qualities guide our hand. We created rooms that breathe, walls that recede, and spaces that shift subtly with the day's progression. The living area unfolds as a series of interconnected zones—each with its own character, yet contributing to a cohesive whole. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city not as a view to be consumed, but as a living backdrop that shifts with weather and time of day.
Every material was chosen for its provenance and character. The teak floors, sourced from responsibly managed forests in Kerala, bear the quiet beauty of natural variation. The marble, quarried from Rajasthan, carries within it the geological memory of ancient seabeds. Custom brass screens—laser-cut with patterns derived from traditional jali work—filter light throughout the day, creating ever-changing shadow plays across limestone walls. Each piece of furniture emerged from our workshop through the hands of artisans whose families have practiced their craft for generations.
The art collection guided our spatial decisions. We designed walls as canvases—generous expanses of neutral plaster that allow the artwork to command attention. Gallery lighting, developed in collaboration with Luminaire Atelier, offers both flexibility and precision. Sculptures find homes in carefully considered niches. The result is neither museum nor showroom, but a living environment where art and daily life coexist naturally.
The master suite was conceived as a retreat within the retreat. Here, we employed a restrained material palette—linen, walnut, brass—allowing texture and light to create interest rather than color or ornament. A custom headboard, crafted in our atelier from book-matched walnut burl, serves as the room's quiet focal point. The brass reading lights, designed specifically for this space, cast pools of warm illumination that invite evening reading rituals.
The ensuite bathroom continues this philosophy of material honesty. Makrana marble—the same stone that graces the Taj Mahal—was selected for its luminous quality. We designed the space around a freestanding soaking tub positioned to frame views of the private terrace. Every fitting was chosen for longevity and patina; the brass taps will develop their own character over time, recording the family's daily ablutions.The main courtyard contains reflecting pool that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. The water—fed by rainwater harvesting system—provides evaporative cooling.
"Crosby didn't just design our home—they understood our family's rhythm, our rituals, our aspirations. Every morning, as light filters through the jali screens, I'm reminded that this space was created with genuine care for how we live."— Priya & Rohan Mehta, Homeowners
FSC-certified, hand-finished
Sourced from responsibly managed plantations in Kerala's Western Ghats, each plank was personally selected for grain pattern and color consistency. The wood was air-dried for eighteen months before milling, then finished by hand with natural oils that enhance its inherent warmth. The result is a floor that will develop richer patina with age and use.
Makrana white, honed finish
Quarried from the same veins that provided stone for the Taj Mahal, this marble carries exceptional translucency. We specified a honed finish rather than polished—the softer surface feels warmer underfoot and shows less wear over time. Each slab was examined at the quarry to ensure consistent veining patterns.
Laser-cut brass, traditional motifs
Contemporary technology meets traditional pattern-making. We worked with artisans in Jaipur to digitize historic jali patterns, which were then precision-cut from solid brass sheets. The screens were hand-patinated to achieve a warm golden tone, then sealed to preserve the finish. As daylight moves across them, they cast geometric shadows that animate the walls.
Natural linen, hand-woven in Varanasi
All textiles were commissioned from weavers in Varanasi working on traditional pit looms. The linen—undyed save for natural vegetable dyes—gains softness with washing. Cushions were filled with kapok fiber, a sustainable alternative to synthetic fills. The fabric's natural texture adds warmth to the minimalist palette.
Hand-blown glass, brass hardware
Developed in collaboration with Luminaire Atelier, each fixture was conceived for its specific location. The dining chandelier features hand-blown glass spheres in graduated sizes, creating a sculptural presence without overwhelming the table. Reading lights employ articulated brass arms with fabric-wrapped cords—a deliberate reference to mid-century design.
American walnut, oil-finished
All cabinetry and built-ins were fabricated in our workshop from American black walnut. The wood was selected for consistent grain and color, then book-matched where possible to create symmetrical patterns. We employed traditional joinery techniques—no visible screws or hardware—and finished everything with natural oils rather than polyurethane, allowing the wood to breathe and age naturally.
FINAL REFLECTION This project exemplifies our belief that luxury resides not in ostentation, but in thoughtfulness—in materials that age gracefully, in proportions that feel instinctively right, in details executed with care even where they might go unnoticed.
A year after completion, the clients tell us the home has become a setting for their life rather than a showcase of design. Their children play freely in the living spaces, running hands along the walnut millwork, leaving fingerprints on brass fixtures that slowly develop patina. Dinner parties flow naturally from kitchen to terrace, the spaces accommodating both intimate gatherings and larger celebrations. Morning light still surprises them—the way it catches the jali screens differently each season, how it reveals new depths in the marble. This, we believe, is the truest measure of our work—spaces that become inseparable from the lives lived within them. The home has absorbed the family's routines, their collections, their memories. It has become, in the deepest sense, theirs.
We work with a select number of clients annually to ensure each project receives our complete attention. Initial consultations are conducted at our atelier, where we discuss your vision, explore material samples, and determine if our approach aligns with your aspirations.
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