Threads of Tradition | Design Journey | Chennai
Threads of Tradition is a thoughtfully curated 3BHK apartment located in Chennai, envisioned by Design Journey under the direction of Principal Designer Komal Surana. Portrayal of deep inspiration from the rich legacy of Chettinad architecture, the home becomes a canvas for cultural continuity. With every corner designed to hold meaning, the interiors celebrate South Indian heritage through subtle detailing, handcrafted accents, and a quiet sophistication that transcends trends. More than just a residence, it becomes a personal archive of memories, blending tradition with timeless elegance.
The Principal Designer shares that the intent was to craft a home where culture and comfort coexist effortlessly. Each room tells a story—whether through heirloom-inspired motifs, traditional textures, or bespoke furnishings that echo the past. The design does not aim to recreate history but rather reimagine it in a contemporary setting that feels lived-in and loved. According to the principal designer, the project was an emotional journey—one of listening, learning, and layering narratives that connect generations, making the space deeply personal and rooted in identity.
Gateway Entrance
The main door makes a bold first impression with its traditional Chettinad-inspired design, featuring deep wood tones and geometric brass knobs. Crafted to evoke a sense of rooted elegance, it serves as both a physical and symbolic gateway—welcoming one into a home where cultural richness and timeless detailing begin right at the threshold.
Sanctum Foyer
Anchored by original Chettinad wooden pillars and a Mahabalipuram stone base, the foyer evokes the sanctity of a traditional temple mandapam. The symmetry, scale, and textural contrast of wood and stone offer a serene, reverential quality, establishing a peaceful transition from the outdoors into the interior world.
Accent Living Area
The gallery wall transforms a circulation space into a storytelling exhibit. Traditional artefacts—including wall hangings, brass pieces, and a repurposed heirloom trunk—are curated with the intention to evoke memory and honour cultural roots. Together, they form a collector’s corridor that merges memory with materiality, inviting quiet introspection and cultural appreciation.
The TV wall becomes a statement piece with a backdrop of handcrafted Athangudi tiles in a soft blue palette, framed by classical wooden mouldings. This juxtaposition of utility and tradition allows the living space to radiate artisanal vibrancy, turning a functional element into a focal design gesture.
Classic Dining Area
The dining area exudes understated elegance with floral-upholstered seating and subtle wooden accents. The dining table, crafted from solid wood with soft edges and a marble-textured top, anchors the space with timeless elegance and everyday functionality. Its calming palette and grey rustic surfaces foster a welcoming atmosphere that encourages togetherness. Every element, right from the dining table to the minimalist decor, has been carefully chosen to make daily meals feel warm, personal, and effortlessly elegant.
Earthy Puja Area
Drawing direct inspiration from the intricate stone jali of the Kopeshwar Temple, the puja room door features delicately carved floral lattices in solid wood. The puja area is thoughtfully positioned near the dining space, ensuring easy access and a sense of daily sanctity. These handcrafted panels echo sacred geometry and allow filtered glimpses of the divine within, blending spiritual reverence with architectural heritage. The result is a sanctum that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
Sleek Kitchen Area
A seamless blend of sleek design and heritage undertones, the kitchen adopts a linear format with matte cabinetry in muted blue. Natural light, clean lines, and textured dark countertops lend modern functionality, while subtle wood infusions maintain warmth and harmony with adjacent traditional spaces. A subtle backsplash and thoughtfully integrated appliances enhance the kitchen’s clean aesthetic, ensuring modern ease within a culturally rooted setting.
Retreat Master Bedroom
Embellished with salvaged Chettinad architectural fragments, this room offers a quiet nod to ancestral homes. The interplay of warm wood tones and traditional detailing creates a serene, heritage-rich sanctuary ideal for rest and comfort. The bed wall is framed with carved wooden columns and softened by a delicately patterned wallpaper, bringing old-world charm into a modern setting. The scalloped pink headboard adds a regal yet cosy flourish. The wardrobe features classic shutters that complement the room’s traditional detailing with understated elegance.
Ethnic Parents’ Bedroom
Designed around the client’s old Kanchivaram saree borders, the headboard becomes a patchwork of legacy and love. The bed’s headrest is accentuated with bespoke panels using Kanchivaram saree, while a trio of circular wall artworks adds a modern, playful contrast to the eye-catching setting. Saree borders continue into the wardrobe panels and TV unit, continuing into function. Glass inserts and clean wood framing lend visual lightness while anchoring the room in traditional craftsmanship. The curtains in the parents’ room are crafted in soft neutrals with subtle texture, allowing ample light while maintaining a calm, understated elegance.
Charisma Daughter’s Room
A vibrant reinterpretation with vintage rafter ceilings, a 50-year-old teak dresser, and rattan wardrobe shutters, the daughter’s room blends tradition with a youthful spirit. Traditional Chettinad furniture elements are reinterpreted with modern, soft fabrics, creating a balanced blend of heritage and comfort in the space. The custom bed is paired with curved wooden side tables, while the bed’s headrest adds a calming touch. A cheerful mirror with colourful inlays art brightens the space, complemented by a charming study nook and open bookshelf. The design feels personal, warm, and layered with heritage-inspired details throughout.
Bringing together heritage, memory, and mindful design, the home reflects a deep-rooted cultural identity interpreted through a contemporary lens. Every element is thoughtfully chosen to tell a story—one of continuity, emotional resonance, and quiet sophistication. The result is a living space that feels emotionally anchored, timeless in character, and truly reflective of the people who inhabit it.
FACT FILE
Project Name: Threads of Tradition
Design Firm : Design Journey
Principal Designer : Komal Surana
Project Location : Chennai
Project Type : 3bhk Apartment
Photography Credits : Gnani Graphy
Text Credits : Team Interior Lover
About Design Journey
Design Journey, founded by award-winning interior designer Komal Surana, is a creative interior design studio based in Tamil Nadu dedicated to crafting purposeful and expressive spaces. The firm offers highly personalised services that balance aesthetic elegance with everyday functionality. With a strong focus on bespoke solutions and quality craftsmanship, their work blends traditional and modern elements with a distinctive touch. Each project is designed to reflect the client’s individuality, resulting in interiors that are both visually engaging and practically livable.
