Collecting decorative pieces for the home is something I’ve always done slowly — a process of hand selecting each item one-by-one and layering them in an understated way so that each can receive the attention it deserves. Amongst some of my favorite pieces are these handmade marble designs by House of Kaarigari. Each bowl has a delicate character of its own, putting the focus on sculptural forms and long-enduring materials and craft.
[AD] Of course these pieces are a dream to look at, but I’ve also enjoyed the many ways I’ve found to integrate them into our daily life. Sometimes I used the beautiful Mira Ruffled Bowl as a centerpiece entirely on its own, and sometimes I place it in our entryway, using it as a gorgeous catch-all for our keys, wallets, ect. Right now the Pedestal Marble Bowl has a designated place on our coffee table, filled to the brim with our collection of polaroid photos we’ve shot over the years — a nontraditional photo album of sorts that guests are welcome to sort through (I’ve emptied the photos from the bowl just for these images however, simply because I like to hold a few memories for ourselves). Regardless of the way their used or displayed, I know that these pieces will have a place in our home for many years to come, just as the founders of House of Kaarigari intended.
In the short interview below, House of Kaarigari’s founder and I discuss the different ways in which a personal affinity for slow living and conscious production influence the products they bring to life through the works of skilled artisans…
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An Interview with Kriti B.
Founder, House of Kaarigari
Q: How does House of Kaarigari go about sourcing pieces which represent your brand’s ethos for slow living?
A: My business partner and I (brother and sister actually!) had found ourselves locked into corporate careers and the grind of daily life. A few years down the line, we realized this really wasn’t our calling… we wanted to do something that not just manifested our creative talents but also moved us into a different direction — a way of living that always allured us. And that’s where we connected with this concept. Slow living advocates the chance for us to reconnect and find ourselves. It signals a return to a simpler pace, which allows us to be fully alert and present in the here and now — savoring time and moments as we go through them, reconnecting with our being.
Q: And how does this idea of slow living influence the way your products are made?
A: Contrary to the word, being ‘slow’ doesn’t mean wasting time, but rather appreciating that taking time to do things well will inevitably result in a more fulfilling experience. It’s about allowing yourself the space to respond and react to things with care rather than haste and ensuring that you make the MOST of your time. At House of Kaarigari, we like to promote this philosophy and bring it to life through our products. We support small makers and artisans dedicated to their craft. We believe in the value of their work. The objects they create are rich in narrative and the idiosyncrasies inherent in their process carried within all those lovely, subtle nuances lost in modern production.
Q: It’s obvious that a great deal of skilled craftsmanship is required in creating each of your carved marble pieces, specifically the iconic Ruffled Bowls. Can you share more about the artisans you work with and the tradition behind their craft?
A: The craftsmanship and the passion of our craftsmen is unparalleled. A key business decision for us was to work on a fair-trade basis and remove the middleman. Yes, it does pose its unique set of challenges, especially given our small scale of business; yet it ensures that the artisan gets his/her due. A lot of our artisans are master craftsmen who also run their own training centers — ushering in the next generation of artisans while continuing their crafts. Our Ruffled bowl came to us after much deliberation and rounds of sampling exercises till we arrived at the right product, something which we would be proud to have sitting on our mantlepiece.
Q: When it comes to your vintage designs, how is House of Kaarigari discerning which pieces come into the collection? What’s the curation process like when deciding on these one-of-a-kind pieces?
A: Our creative process combines a whole lot of self-inspiration, which also sometimes becomes a reiterative process as thoughts and designs evolve in our heads. Some things are omnipresent, such as subtle design accents and neutral colors… what changes is the manifestation. We know our customers have an affinity for the soulful. They believe that the objects they surround themselves with are better when they tell a story. They know that the mark of true luxury lies in the dedication to process, material, and design. They are drawn to investing in the future over following trends and feel that the value of objects only increases with time as they capture and preserve the story of their use.
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Featured In Our Home
Mira Ruffled Marble Bowl
Pedestal Marble Bowl
This blogpost was written in collaboration with House of Kaarigari
Follow House of Kaarigari on Instagram and explore their beautiful collection online
