Celebrating the indigenous crafts of Nagaland in interior design

BH: How do you blend local crafts in a home designed with modern sensibilities?

AZ: While designing any space I make sure that the interior is designed in accordance with the craft we want to display or create special spaces to display certain craft products. It could be a piece of art, lighting, furniture or soft furnishings.

BH: Are there any décor items or collections you are sentimental about?

AZ: I am very attached to some of our older designs, which literally sparked new beginnings in our regional craft scenario. The tasseled cushions for instance, which my mother’s brand Heirloom Naga brought into origin and lately, the series of bamboo artwork that we have created are some of them.

BH: The wardrobe in the Beauty Barn’s Glam Room showcases a typical design woven with bamboo strands. Is there any particular significance to that pattern?

AZ: The wardrobe is my interpretation of the women's tattoo motifs. I had initially designed a series of bamboo wall art to give the wardrobe a very original and outstanding look. We wove the tattoo pattern to fit the paneling of the wardrobe and resized the motifs to make it more pronounced.

In the realm of interior design, local crafts are the embodiment of cultural heritage, telling stories of communities and traditions that have withstood the test of time. Their significance lies not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in the preservation of craftsmanship that often teeters on the precipice of obscurity. Keeping the cultural legacy alive, Aku and his mother Jesmina Zeliang craft a sense of authenticity, heritage, and identity to home interiors.