Indian & Kerala · Style guide
Chettinad Heritage interiors. Grand courtyards. Handmade tiles.
Drawn from the mansions of the Chettinad region in Tamil Nadu, known for pillared courtyards, handmade Athangudi tiles, carved wood and smooth lime-plaster walls. In a modern home, a few of these crafted details go a long way.
The palette
Colours that feel rich, crafted, timeless.
Mustard, Athangudi red and peacock teal, borrowed from handmade tiles and set against lime plaster. A reading for mood, not a paint specification.
- Lime plaster#f1ead9
- Mustard#d9a441
- Athangudi red#b0413e
- Peacock teal#2f6f73
- Aged teak#6b4226
Materials & details
What makes it Chettinad Heritage.
The sample board
- Athangudi tiles
- Carved teak
- Lime plaster
- Brass and bell metal
- Handloom cotton
A rug made of tiles
Patterned handmade tiles laid like a rug in a foyer or dining area.
Pillars and carved doors
One carved door or column can become the story of a room.
Courtyard living
Rooms that open onto a central court, with seating along its edge.
Room by room
Ideas worth borrowing.
Best in entryway, dining and living spaces.
Entryway
A patterned welcome.
Lay patterned tiles as a ‘rug’ inside the door and frame it with a carved wooden door.
Dining
Pillars and plenty.
Set a wooden dining table between two columns, with brass lamps and plain walls.
Living
Heirlooms in the light.
Let one or two heirloom pieces lead, and keep the rest simple and light.
Illustrated mood cards, made to show the feeling of this style.
Pairs well with
Styles that get along.
Most homes mix two or three. These share a mood, a material or a palette with Chettinad Heritage.
- Kerala ContemporaryBuilt for light, rain and family.
- Indo-Modern LuxeIndian craft, dressed for the evening.
- Modern IndianFamiliar materials. Fresh perspectives.
Want heritage that still fits a modern day? Let’s plan it. We design whole homes, kitchens and wardrobes around the way you live.
Good questions
Chettinad Heritage answered.
Are Athangudi tiles suitable for modern homes?
They can be, especially in foyers, dining areas and verandahs. They are handmade, so colour and pattern vary a little from tile to tile, which is part of their charm.
Will a heritage look feel heavy?
It doesn’t have to. Keep walls light, let one or two pieces carry the heritage, and give the room plenty of daylight.
Can I use antique pieces I already own?
Yes. Family pieces are often the heart of this style. A good plan works around them so they get the space and light they deserve.