The Sourcebook: Insider design finds with Khushboo Kakkar

Chhattisgarh has long nurtured a craft and material culture where making has been inseparable from everyday life. Local materials are transformed into objects of lasting cultural value, whether through Dhokra metal casting tradition, terracotta and mural art by the Muria community, or carved wooden artefacts of Bastar. Each bears the imprint of the region and people who make them. This ethos reflects in the spaces created by architect Khushboo Kakkar of BASICS Studio. When asked about the starting point of her sourcing process, Khushboo asks, “Where does your material go when you are done with it?” For Khushboo, material selection begins with a series of fundamental questions like: where the material comes from, who makes it, how can it be repaired and what becomes of it when its purpose is served. These are stronger questions than simply asking whether a material is ‘sustainable’. It shifts the conversation towards life-cycle thinking, repairability, sourcing and more so—accountability. “These questions might sound elementary, but you'd be surprised how few vendors have ready answers. The ones who do are usually the ones we return to.” adds Khushboo.

Beautiful Homes: Do you regularly collaborate with local artisans or craft communities?

Khushboo Kakkar: Absolutely. Chhattisgarh has a genuinely rich cultural heritage, and I think it's important that it shows up in our projects. We work closely with ArtistofWall, a collective led by artists Nagendra Sahu and Pankaj Yadav, who offer end-to-end solutions for sculptures, murals, and site-specific art. Their understanding of scale, surface, and narrative is extraordinary, and they've been part of some of our most meaningful projects.

BH: Which local markets, shops, or studios do you rely on for fabrics, soft furnishings, and upholstery?

KK: We love the Asian Paints’ range of fabrics for the convenience and breadth.

You get brands like Sabyasachi for Nilaya, The Pure Concept, and Pure Royale under one roof, which makes the process much more fluid. Lifestyle Furnishings is another consistent go-to in Raipur, particularly for their fabric curation. What I appreciate most about them is that they help us build physical mood boards on site, and they offer real creative input on things like curtain construction, sofa piping, and detailing. For more bespoke requirements, we turn to Filigree Fabriculture curtains. Prathama personally ensures the fabric sourcing aligns with the project theme. For a tactile, time-intensive process like soft furnishing, that kind of collaborative engagement matters enormously. She also champions zero waste and creates patchwork cushion covers from any leftover fabric.

BH: Where do you typically source furniture locally?

KK: We are strong believers in custom furniture, every client is different, and so are their spatial needs. Going Back to Basics, our in-house furniture practice under BASICS Studio, allows us to respond to that specificity. For certain made to order pieces, we collaborate with Novelty Furniture in Raipur, which has been a wonderful partner in finding and restoring old pieces with character. For select loose pieces, we go to Chaudharāin, and Chinhhari we admire deeply for the elegance of their approach. Zeqon brings in a global range at a local address here in Raipur.

BH: Which are your favourite destinations in Chhattisgarh for sourcing lighting and architectural fixtures?

KK: For bespoke lighting, we consistently work with Siddhant Dhariwal, a lighting designer from Raipur, who has built an eponymous lighting design studio in Mumbai around the idea that light can itself be an object of craft. For decorative pieces, Zeqon in Raipur and The Purple Turtles are our regular haunts.

BH: Where do you look for antiques, reclaimed materials, vintage furniture, or one-of-a-kind artefacts?

KK: Curious Hues in Raipur is always our first stop for vintage furniture, they have a real eye for rare and unexpected finds. Beyond that, we spend time in Gol Bazar, the old town of Raipur, which is a genuine treasure hunt on any given day. The market has a slowness to it that I find enjoyable, you have to be patient, but the discoveries make it entirely worth it. For artefacts connected to our state's own traditions. Hello Bastar in Raipur has been a meaningful source, they make the rich tribal craft ecosystem of the Bastar region accessible, from Dhokra metalwork to hand-forged ironwork and tribal objects that carry a material honesty we deeply respect.

BH: Any recent discovery that has become a favourite for sourcing?

KK: Floating By Everyday has become exactly that. What started as a pottery studio has grown into a full creative practice; they now do custom handmade tiles, signages, and original artworks. For our café projects in particular, they've produced beautiful custom crockery. There's a real sincerity to how they work with the material, and it shows in everything they make.

BH: Which design brands or studios best reflect your personal aesthetic?

KK: I'm drawn to brands that are confident in their craft without needing to announce it. Delhi-based ceramic studio Claymen by Aman Khanna, Floating By Everyday and Curious Hues in Raipur, Nilaya by Asian Paints, Good Earth in Mumbai, Gurugram-based design studio Sarita Handa, and The Purple Turtles and Vernacular Modern in Bengaluru. Each has a point of view that feels considered rather than curated for the market. That restraint with conviction is ultimately what I look for.

BH: If you had to recommend one emerging design brand or studio from Raipur, who would it be?

KK: Honestly, I’m reluctant to single out just one name, as it doesn’t accurately represent the vibrant dynamics of Raipur. The city is at an intriguing crossroads. Raipur-based artists such as Pramod Sahu, Pankaj Yadav, and Prannjali V are part of a movement that defies a specific label, capturing a regional sensibility that transcends localism. One emerging studio, Ghar Gaatha, is making waves with its wall murals and embroidered tapestries, which I absolutely adore.

BH: Do you also source from other regions of India?

KK: Absolutely! We source our materials from various locations, including Auroville, Kochi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, collaborating with studios and brands such as Olie Lights in Bengaluru, Delhi-based furniture design studio Objectry, Jaipur-based Gulmohar Lane, and Gurugram-based design studio, Sarita Handa, along with some unique antique pieces from Auroville. Additionally, I would be thrilled to work with No-Mad in Mumbai, for rugs and cushion covers, as well as with Bonnie & Saks for bedding, another Mumbai-based studio. We also acquire numerous wooden items and furniture from Objectry.