What Keerthi Tummalla of Sage Living is trying to do is find a path where history and the future meet. Marrying the experience, learning and wisdom of the past with the technology of the future. As for their collection, An Ode to Epic; the inspiration came from Mahabharata but had a very modern expression of its art—ancient tales finding a place in contemporary homes.
For the Boulder Collection, Keerthi looked at the striking boulders that have surrounded her city of Hyderabad. These natural formations deeply influenced their design but were reimagined geometrically. ‘At its core, geometric precision takes centrestage, shaping each creation into crystalline, faceted forms that invite a captivating dance of light and shadow. The rugged, organic textures of natural rocks are juxtaposed with a meticulous and structured design ethos, resulting in pieces that balance raw beauty with refined sophistication.’ More from her below.
What is the story behind the name?
The name Sage Living embodies two powerful ideas. Sage represents a profoundly wise individual, someone revered for their wisdom, judgment, and experience. Living reflects the untold stories of artisans and their rich backgrounds, offering fresh insights and perspectives on design. Together, Sage Living aspires to be a 'House of Wisdom,' a brand that celebrates the depth of craftsmanship and the thoughtful artistry behind every creation.
Our designs reflect a dialogue between India’s storied past and the future of global design, creating pieces that transcend functionality and evoke emotion. We are driven by a relentless passion for experimentation, exploring textures and forms to push the boundaries of creative expression. While we strive for innovation, we remain steadfast in upholding the values of durability, artistry, and comfort. Every piece we craft is a reflection of our commitment. We aim to create a legacy where the world sees India not just as a source of heritage but as a beacon of innovation and artistry.
What inspired the Boulder collection?
The Boulder Collection is inspired by the striking boulders that surround my city, Hyderabad. These natural formations are a constant presence in our everyday lives, and their raw beauty and strength deeply influenced the design. The collection reflects the rugged yet timeless essence of these boulders, capturing the spirit of our surroundings. This collection represents a connection between nature and artistry, where materials and techniques come together to create objects of profound depth and character, bridging the realms of the rugged and the refined. Each piece is a tribute to the mastery of craftsmanship, combining tradition with innovation to offer designs that are as compelling as they are timeless.
At its core, geometric precision takes center stage, shaping each creation into crystalline, faceted forms that invite a captivating dance of light and shadow. The rugged, organic textures of natural rocks are juxtaposed with a meticulous and structured design ethos, resulting in pieces that balance raw beauty with refined sophistication.
Central to this collection is the innovative use of silver pyrite stone, reimagined through the lens of design to transcend its conventional associations. Quarried from Tadipatri in Andhra Pradesh, nestled in the geologically rich Kadapa basin, this remarkable stone carries a metallic sheen reminiscent of silver, earning it the label 'fool’s silver.' Paired with the age-old craft technique of sand-casting, the collection brings this material to life in extraordinary ways.
Geometry plays a big part in your work. Can you talk about that?
Geometry is at the heart of our design philosophy, drawing inspiration from the precision and harmony found in nature, architecture, and traditional Indian art forms. It offers a sense of balance and structure, while allowing for creative expression within defined parameters. At Sage Living, geometry complements our sensibility by bringing together timeless craftsmanship with contemporary design. The clean lines and harmonious proportions add depth and sophistication to each piece, creating an elegant yet grounded aesthetic that feels both contemporary and rooted in tradition.
Can you share a specific project or piece that stands out for you in terms of the creative process, challenges, or outcomes?
What stands out for me in this collection is pieces crafted entirely in silver pyrite. These pieces are a stunning fusion of artistry and the untapped potential of this unique material. What excites me about silver pyrite is its dense, raw, and rugged nature. Yet, when worked on, its metallic lustre emerges, transforming it into something that looks like polished metal, which is quite the contrast to its natural form.
The process of working with silver pyrite presented several challenges. It’s a tedious task to chisel the stone into thin layers, grind them, and polish them to reveal its metallic shine. The biggest hurdle was the weight of the stone. Despite its heaviness, we aimed to create a design that felt light, sleek, and metallic. Achieving this duality was no easy feat, and it took multiple iterations to perfect.
A particularly challenging aspect was the stone shutters for the bar, which featured silver pyrite inlay. Making them hang with the necessary lightness while maintaining the stone’s inherent weight was a significant challenge. The outcome, however, is a striking moment of surprise for the viewer—wondering whether the piece is stone or metal. Thanks to Ram Kabadi, whose expertise and deep knowledge of stone have been instrumental in bringing this collection to life. This wouldn't have been possible without his invaluable experience, which helped us overcome challenges and achieve the perfect balance in the design.
Can you talk about the fact you are trying to make art and not just furniture that inspire reflection and conversation? How do you achieve that?
At Sage Living, our goal is to create pieces that transcend traditional furniture and become true works of art—pieces that inspire reflection and spark conversation. We believe that design should be more than functional; it should evoke emotion, tell a story, and connect with the viewer on a deeper level.
To achieve this, we focus on the narrative behind each piece. We draw inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of India, the materials we use, and the craftsmanship involved. Each design is thoughtfully crafted to engage the senses, whether through its texture, form, or the unique interplay of materials. We embrace imperfections, celebrate the beauty of raw materials, and aim for a timeless aesthetic that invites people to pause and appreciate the artistry behind it. By blending tradition with contemporary design, we create pieces that spark curiosity, inviting conversation about the story, craftsmanship, and thought process behind each creation.
Materially how did this collection shape up?
The Boulder Collection was shaped by a desire to explore materials closer to home, reflecting both natural ruggedness and refined craftsmanship. The collection highlights amorphous materials that take on dynamic, ever-changing forms, embodying qualities of transition and resilience.
We sought to merge the raw, unrefined nature of rocks with a more structured approach, blending the best of both worlds. Materials like pyrite stone were paired with metalworking & the ancient craft technique of sand-casting, allowing us to reimagine this stone in a way that’s rarely seen. Silver pyrite, with its chameleonic qualities, anchors the material palette of this collection, drawing inspiration from Sage Living’s roots in the Deccan region.
The stone, quarried from Tadipatri in Andhra Pradesh, is part of the geologically rich Kadapa basin. Known as ‘fool’s silver’ due to its metallic lustre resembling silver, the pyrite’s gritty, raw form is meticulously honed and transformed to reveal a reflective finish, while retaining the inherent durability that gives it strength. This fusion of material and technique brings a fresh, contemporary edge to traditional Indian craftsmanship.
Can you talk about your creative process in terms of the new collection?
The creative process behind this new collection was both exploratory and rooted in deep reflection. It began with a desire to push the boundaries of traditional materials and create something that felt both timeless and innovative. We started by looking closer to home, drawing inspiration from the natural environment and the rich craftsmanship of India. The Boulder Collection, in particular, was shaped by the rugged forms of natural rocks and the dynamic energy they convey. Once I had the vision in mind, the process was about experimentation and collaboration with skilled artisans at our atelier.
A key aspect of this collection was exploring the duality of materials—specifically the contrasting personalities of stone. Silver pyrite, for example, has a gritty, raw exterior but reveals a metallic lustre once polished, offering an intriguing balance between ruggedness and refinement. This duality was central to the design, where we aimed to capture the stone's natural toughness while transforming it into something sleek and reflective.
Geometric precision played a significant role in this process, particularly in the way we approached structure. The collection features clean lines and sharp angles that are balanced by the organic, flowing nature of the materials. Take, for example, the sofa: while it appears structured and sculptural, it offers an unexpected softness and comfort when seated, embodying the tension between form and function.
The process was one of constant experimentation, combining traditional techniques like sand-casting with modern design sensibilities. By blending facets of stone with geometric forms, we were able to create pieces that are not only visually impactful but also invite deeper reflection on the material’s potential and the craftsmanship behind it. Each piece in the collection tells a story of transformation—how raw, natural materials can evolve into something extraordinary and surprising.
What are you working on next?
Next, I’m excited to explore even more sustainable and locally sourced materials and craft, continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in design. I’m particularly focused on blending more organic elements with contemporary aesthetics, while staying true to the principles of craftsmanship that have always defined Sage Living. We’re also working on expanding our bespoke offerings, offering personalized pieces that tell a unique story for each client. The goal is to continue creating designs that not only reflect our roots but also spark new conversations around the intersection of culture, craft, innovation, and sustainability.
Words Hansika Lohani
Date 14.01.2024