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Two brands, one soulful design journey.
- Design meets décor, architecture meets art. How did this collaboration between The Cooter Shell and Kagaz Rekha come to life—and what makes it click?
The Cooter Shell was the first to be established, a multidisciplinary interior and architectural design studio rooted in thoughtful, detail-oriented design. As our projects evolved, we found ourselves in need of a partner that could seamlessly translate our creative visions into tactile, artistic expressions. That’s when Kagaz Rekha was born, an in-house extension of our studio, driven by the same ethos but with a distinct focus on handcrafted décor.
Kagaz Rekha became the artistic arm of The Cooter Shell, specialising in hand-painted wallpapers, fabrics, and personalised furniture. Together, the two brands speak the same design language, where structure meets story, and where art is not just a finishing touch but an integral part of spatial experience. What makes this collaboration click is the shared philosophy: design that feels personal, intentional, and rooted in craftsmanship.
- In your projects, where does the space end and storytelling begin? Or are they the same thing?
For us, storytelling begins the moment a client shares their vision. Every project starts with their ideas, emotions, and expectations, what they hope to feel when they walk into space. That’s where our role begins: shaping those thoughts into a cohesive design narrative.
In that sense, space and storytelling aren’t separate, they evolve together. Each project carries its own concept, rooted in the client’s story, making the final outcome deeply personal and one-of-a-kind.
- How do you ensure that every home you touch feels not just designed—but lived in, layered, and personal?
We believe a home should reflect the people who inhabit it. Our process begins with understanding the client’s lifestyle, values, and emotional connection to their space. These insights guide our design decisions, allowing us to thoughtfully layer materials, textures, and elements that carry meaning.
While we appreciate modern and contemporary design, we ensure that the final space feels like home: warm, personal, and meaningful, rather than a template or trend. We aim to craft interiors that feel authentic, comfortable, and deeply personal, spaces that are not only well-designed, but truly lived in.
- If your collaboration was a room, what would it look like? Give us a visual walkthrough.
It would be a space where architectural precision meets artistic expression. The foundation of the room, its layout, proportions, and structural clarity would reflect The Cooter Shell’s commitment to thoughtful, functional design. Layered onto this framework would be elements curated by Kagaz Rekha: hand-painted wallpapers, bespoke furnishings, and rich, tactile curtains and fabrics that bring depth, warmth, and individuality.
The result would be a balanced composition, refined yet personal, modern in structure yet rooted in craftsmanship. Much like our collaboration, the room would speak a unified design language, where every detail serves both purpose and narrative.
- What role does craftsmanship play in today’s tech-driven, fast-paced design world?
In a time when speed and automation often dominate the design process, craftsmanship offers something increasingly rare: intention. At The Cooter Shell, we value precision and planning, but it is through craftsmanship that spaces gain character and soul. Kagaz Rekha was born from this very need, to reintroduce the human hand into our projects through homely wallpapers, fabrics, and individually crafted pieces.
It ensures that every element in a space feels considered, not mass-produced, but made with care. In our practice, it is this balance between innovation and artistry that makes a space truly classic and personal.
- Homeowners often feel overwhelmed mixing function and aesthetics. How do you simplify this journey for them?
We understand that balancing function with aesthetics can feel daunting, especially when designing a personal space. Our approach is to guide homeowners with clarity, beginning with their lifestyle and daily habits to the space. From there, we build a design that is both visually cohesive and practical.
To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it?
- What’s one project where both brands truly came together in perfect sync—and why does it stand out?
In truth, every project we undertake reflects the seamless collaboration between The Cooter Shell and Kagaz Rekha. Both brands complement each other, one shaping the space, the other enriching it with artistry and warmth.
One particularly memorable project was a residence designed for a couple with roots in Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. Each corner of the home was thoughtfully customised to reflect their personal stories and cultural heritage. The design brought together warm, earthy tones and traditional forms, blending Bihar’s rustic charm with the intricate wooden and floral detailing inspired by Himachali craftsmanship.
What made this home truly special was the emotional layer it carried. It wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was about honouring the clients’ backgrounds. Kagaz Rekha’s handcrafted décor, paired with The Cooter Shell’s refined spatial planning, created a space that felt both deeply personal and timeless. A quiet balance of modern minimalism and rooted tradition, the home stood as a heartfelt expression of identity, memory, and belonging.
- Together, you blend built form with brushstrokes. How do you ensure neither overpowers the other?
The balance lies in intent. At the studio, we begin with a strong spatial foundation, designing layouts that are functional, proportionate, and purposeful. Once the form is established, Kagaz Rekha steps in to bring depth, texture, and narrative through hand-painted surfaces and curated décor.
Rather than competing, the two practices are in dialogue. We approach each project with a clear design vision, ensuring that the architectural framework allows room for artistic expression, and that every element enhances rather than distracts from the space.
The result is a thoughtful interplay, where structure and surface complement each other, creating environments that are both grounded and expressive.
- From walls to wallpapers, flooring to finishing—what advice would you give someone trying to build a space with soul?
Creating a space with soul begins with clarity of purpose. It requires looking beyond fleeting trends and instead focusing on what holds personal significance, how the space will be used, the atmosphere one wishes to cultivate, and the memories it will eventually hold.
Our suggestion is to approach design as a narrative. Let the architectural foundation provide structure and order, while layering it with meaningful details, be it hand-crafted surfaces, thoughtfully selected materials, or furnishings that speak to you. A soulful space is not defined by perfection, but by authenticity, where every element, from the walls to the smallest finish, contributes to a sense of belonging and emotional connection.
- Finally, what does a beautiful home mean to both of you—not as professionals, but as people?
To us, a beautiful home is one that reflects the people who live in it. It goes beyond design and décor, it carries a sense of comfort, belonging, and quiet familiarity. It is shaped not only by thoughtful choices, but by memories, daily rituals, and personal meaning.
As individuals, beyond our roles as designers, we believe a truly beautiful home is one that feels lived in and loved. It’s not defined by style alone, but by the emotions it holds and the sense of ease it brings. Beauty, in this context, is not imposed, it is revealed through authenticity and care.
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The Cooter Shell | Kagaz Rekha