House of Chintz by SIAN Architects is rooted in Indian heritage and reimagined through a modern lens

“The 24-foot wall of Tree of Life Chintz artwork in the double-height living area is unquestionably the showstopper of the home. It embodies the values central to the family and the home’s purpose by symbolizing growth, unity, and interconnectedness. Handcrafted and painted in vivid colours, it creates a bold visual expression that anchors the house, serving as both an artistic focal point and a narrative thread that weaves the overall design.” With this striking installation, architects Surbhi Singhal and Deepanshu Arneja, founders of SIAN Architects, set the tone for House of Chintz—a 4,050 sq ft home in Meerut that bridges tradition and modernity with poetic precision.

At once rooted in Indian craft and forward in its architectural outlook, the house is an emotive, visual journey. Each space feels like a chapter in an unfolding narrative—where furniture becomes sculpture, textures become storytellers, and walls become canvases for memory. Inspired by the traditional Indian textile technique of Chintz—derived from cheent, meaning ‘speckled’ or ‘sprayed’—the home is layered with handcrafted elements that feel purposeful and profoundly Indian.

A Journey Through Artistic Expression

The House of Chintz welcomes you with a handcrafted wooden doorway that reveals a carefully curated interior where muted tones and clean geometry provide the perfect backdrop for conspicuous decor elements. Upon entering, one is immediately captivated by the double-height open living and dining area, dominated by the home’s crowning achievement—a stunning 24-foot wall adorned with a Tree of Life Chintz artwork.

Hand-painted in vibrant colours, the Tree of Life symbolizes growth, unity, and interconnectedness, creating a bold artistic statement that sets the tone for the entire residence. What makes this feature even more remarkable is that it was crafted from repurposed materials—discarded wood, board, and ply—transformed into a breathtaking artistic installation.

The family lounge and dining space flow seamlessly from this central area, arranged to promote togetherness with comfortable plush seating and a warm atmosphere enhanced by natural light filtering through lightly washed curtains. To the left, the formal living area unfolds, thoughtfully framed by openings that draw in natural light, highlighting the handcrafted textures and subtle material contrasts of wooden décor elements with elegant gold accents. The kitchen continues the narrative of simple, low-maintenance living with natural wood-grain cabinetry contrasting beautifully against light, muted upper cabinets, creating a balanced two-tone aesthetic that feels simultaneously modern and warm.

Private Sanctuaries of Calm

The private spaces of the home—two bedrooms on the ground floor and three on the upper floor—are positioned thoughtfully to create a quiet, distinct zone. Each bedroom echoes the understated luxury found throughout the home, featuring custom-designed furniture, muted tones, and soft drapes that filter natural light. Pops of colour, such as cobalt blue and floral-patterned wallpaper, blend calm sophistication with playful accents.

The master bedroom makes a statement with a striking green console that punctuates the neutral colour scheme. Sheer, off-white drapes allow natural light to flow freely through the space, while subtle design elements like salient wooden decor and sleek, asymmetrically suspended pendant lights create dynamic focal points.

Ascending to the first floor reveals a welcoming family lounge defined by eloquent handcrafted textures and elements that serve as conversation starters. A custom-designed black and white rug, ceiling installations, consoles, and distinctive furniture pieces like the Tall Black Totem and Corbusier-inspired bookends create a space rich with substance and story.

A Sustainable Approach to Luxury

Sustainability forms an integral part of the architectural narrative of the House of Chintz. A key focus was minimising construction waste by creatively repurposing discarded materials into functional design elements. Waste wood was transformed into knobs, hardware, and shutter handles, while locally available Indian stone was carefully selected and meticulously polished, reducing the carbon footprint associated with material transportation while supporting regional artisans.

Water conservation was addressed through collection systems for rainwater and surface runoff, designed to recharge groundwater and aid in landscape maintenance. Despite its introverted design, the project strategically incorporated well-placed openings to optimize natural light and ventilation, reducing dependency on artificial lighting and mechanical cooling.

A Material Palette of Restraint and Richness

The home’s material palette strikes a balance between richness and restraint, focusing on tactile and visual harmony. Open-grain wood serves as the nucleus through custom furniture, cabinetry, and accents, bringing warmth and texture throughout the spaces. While the living room’s 24-foot wall makes a vibrant statement, custom-molded walls align with geometric elements to create a nuanced aesthetic. In contrast, walls finished in neutral off-white tones provide grounding, with occasional surprises of cobalt blue lines or floral-patterned wallpaper in the bedrooms.

White Indian marble with subtle veining serves as the primary flooring, offering a neutral backdrop that allows other design elements to stand out, while herringbone-patterned wooden flooring in certain private spaces adds warmth and character. The ceilings in the living area are designed to be elusive yet dynamic, incorporating layered elements with warm wooden accents and concealed lighting to create depth, while adjacent spaces feature simpler, muted ceilings that direct attention to striking chandeliers and lighting fixtures.

The House of Chintz stands as a powerful embodiment of SIAN Architects’ design ethos, which centers on authenticity, context, and innovation to create timeless spaces. By working closely with local artisans to craft bespoke elements and by embracing experimentation in their approach to design, the architects have created a home that perfectly balances refined simplicity with bold expression.

In House of Chintz, architecture and emotion intertwine. Each space is designed not just to function, but to feel. It is a home that embodies India modern in its truest sense—grounded in culture, but open to reinterpretation.

FACT FILE

Project Name: House of Chintz

Location: Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

Area: 4,050 sq. ft.

Design Firm: SIAN Architects

Founders and Principal Architects: Surbhi Singhal and Deepanshu Arneja

Photography: Ekansh Goel

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