Multitude of Sins designs intricate Chennai home to reflect "richness of Indian craftsmanship"

Two hundred skilled artisans from across the country collaborated to create the interiors of this Indian house in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, designed by Bengaluru studio Multitude of Sins.

Pennyroyal Tea is a light-filled family home spread across two levels. Around 80 per cent of the dwelling's furniture, light fixtures and artworks were made bespoke for the project.

"The result is a home that not only highlights the richness of Indian craftsmanship but also tells a story through the skills and backgrounds of the artisans involved," said Multitude of Sins founder Smita Thomas.

"By choosing to forgo mass-produced items, we chose a path that celebrates the unique skills of local artisans," she told Dezeen.

Residents enter via palatial timber double doors adorned with flower motifs carved by craftspeople from Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, encased in a towering curved porch.

Inside, the double-height foyer is characterised by a floor-to-ceiling lilac and mauve mural. Although printed, the mural was created to give the impression of delicate swathes of fabric.

A perforated sandy-hued cabinet stores more than 100 pairs of shoes belonging to the family and was finished with playfully criss-crossed leather loops designed to mimic laces.

A 400-kilogram chandelier made of wooden beads illuminates the space – one of many custom lighting fixtures created by artisans hailing from Kerala, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

"Much like a beaded jewellery box, the home is layered and intricate," explained Thomas.

The foyer gives way to a similarly decadent living area, arranged behind linear cutouts and a marble-lined glass screen. Two marble tables define the space, decorated with moons, butterflies and leaves, while the same stone is echoed across the gleaming flooring.

Distressed wooden armchairs were paired with a floral applique sofa and sculptural geometric floor lamps.

The furniture reflects India's rich diversity of craft traditions, with pieces made by more than 200 artisans from Rajasthan, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

This decadent style continues throughout the home including in the tile-clad kitchen, where fluted glass cupboards and curved edges take centre stage.

Delicate folded fabric butterflies add a whimsical touch to the walls of the dining space, which features a dual-toned wood-topped dining table surrounded by leather-clad chairs with sage- and rust-coloured cushions.

Pennyroyal Tea includes a dedicated skylit yoga area, artist's studio and library, each embellished with similar patterns and shapes.

"We aimed to evoke the feeling of a garden sanctuary," said Thomas, referring to the many decorative windows that flood the interior with natural light.

Lined with jade-green tiles, the home's central staircase leads to the private portion of the house, created in the same rich style as the communal areas.

Intricately dressed bedrooms and bathrooms balance more unusual custom pieces with ones made from more readily available materials.

"The inclusion of modern elements like brass and stainless steel demonstrates that Indian craftsmanship can coexist with contemporary design principles," reflected Thomas.

"This juxtaposition highlights a broader narrative that traditional craftsmanship is not static but can evolve, remaining relevant in today's global context."

One of the children's bedrooms is characterised by playful animal decorations, from a slithering wall-mounted snake to an oversized upholstered headboard featuring a cartoon snail.

"Sculptures were sourced from various artists in Delhi, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra and Telangana," said Thomas.

The Multitude of Sins team purposefully chose mild pastel shades and neutral hues for the home's walls to balance the many intricate design pieces they coexist with.

"This choice was strategic," Thomas explained. "It serves as a gentle backdrop that allows the vibrancy of the home to emerge through a variety of textures and accents."

"Throughout the home, we integrated a diverse array of materials like marble, tiles and stones to create a layered, tactile experience that invites exploration," she added.

Known for her decorative tastes, Thomas recently overhauled her own duplex apartment in Bengaluru to reflect "an interplay of artistry and function", combining her penchant for maximalism with her husband's desire for minimalism.

In 2022, Multitude of Sins won the Dezeen Award for sustainable interior of the year for the Circus Canteen, a Bengaluru restaurant made out of a mishmash of reclaimed materials, including discarded bicycle bells and cassette tape boxes.

The photography is by Ishita Sitwala.

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