“The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them.” — David Hicks

Sanjay and Radhika had been looking for an interior design firm that could understand what they wanted, work within their budget and, most importantly, create something that felt genuinely unique to them.

I met them through a common friend. Over a cup of tea, we discussed what they had in mind and quickly realised that it was going to be a challenging project — but certainly a doable one.

The kitchen was at the heart of the brief. At just 7 ft x 10 ft, it had to accommodate a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, oven and a breakfast counter. They also wanted the dining table placed right in front of the open kitchen so that serving and interaction with the family remained effortless.

The challenge was to keep the kitchen visually open while making sure it could accommodate everything they needed, including a large refrigerator. We also had to create two separate wash zones within the same compact space.

The final plan was presented keeping every requirement in mind, and, much to our delight, it was approved in the very first sitting.

Then came the real challenge.

It was the peak of summer, the timelines were tight, and the house had two toddlers. We had to complete the kitchen, wardrobes and other furniture, along with fresh painting, within a very limited timeframe. There was simply no room for compromising on quality, safety or the family’s comfort.

We took it up as a challenge and delivered the entire project well before the agreed timeline.

What started as one project eventually became a long-standing relationship. Sanjay and Radhika have been genuine patrons of CRAFTSMEN ever since, recommending us to their friends, family and professional circles.

Over the years, their references have led us to more than a dozen homes and offices.

For us, that is perhaps the biggest compliment — not just that our clients liked what we created for them, but that they trusted us enough to put their own name behind our work.

And even today, the smile on their faces remains one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.

“Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love.” — Anonymous

Our association with Mr. Hemant Ruprellia began quite unexpectedly, while we were executing a project for one of his relatives.

He noticed not just the overall design, but also the way we worked — our attention to detail, our discipline on site and the meticulous manner in which we approached execution. What started as a conversation about the ongoing project soon led to a discussion about his own upscale apartment in a prime location in Noida.

Interestingly, by then, Mr. Ruprellia had already appointed another design firm for his home. He was, however, quite convinced by our approach to execution and the way we translated design into reality.

After several discussions, we arrived at a practical arrangement. The appointed design firm would continue to lead the design, while the complete design-build execution was entrusted to CRAFTSMEN.

For us, this was an interesting responsibility. We had to take the designer’s vision and execute it with the same precision and detailing that had initially impressed Mr. Ruprellia.

The final outcome was everything we had hoped for — and more.

The apartment came together beautifully, staying true to the original design intent while maintaining the quality and detailing we had promised. In fact, the designer herself was pleasantly surprised to see how closely the executed space reflected the proposed design.

For us, the project was another reminder that good design is only half the journey. The real test lies in how faithfully, thoughtfully and meticulously it is brought to life.

And that is where CRAFTSMEN continues to find its strength — in turning someone else’s vision into a finished space that feels every bit as beautiful as it looked on paper.

“Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” — Billy Baldwin

There is a small story behind DS Dosa Factory.

One day, Bhardwaj Ji, the owner of the chain, met me and expressed an interest in having CRAFTSMEN take up the project. The brief was exciting, but it came with a very real challenge — we had a limited budget, limited scope for structural changes and yet, the space had to look distinctive enough to create its own identity.

That is where the real design thinking began.

We spent time brainstorming, looking at what could be retained, what could be transformed and where we could create the maximum visual impact without unnecessarily increasing the cost. The idea was never to make the space look expensive for the sake of it. It was to make it look thoughtful, inviting and memorable.

The result was DS Dosa Factory in Vivek Vihar, Delhi — a space that brought together the energy of a QSR with the comfort and aesthetics of a fine diner.

The response was extremely encouraging. The interiors became one of the talking points of the outlet, alongside the food and the brand itself.

The appreciation came almost immediately. On the very next day of the launch, leading newspapers highlighted the arrival of the brand in Delhi, describing DS Dosa Factory as an applauded name nationally and internationally and specifically mentioning its stylish interiors as another reason to visit.

For us, this project reinforced something we strongly believe in at CRAFTSMEN: a great space doesn’t always need a great budget. It needs clarity of thought, good design sense and the ability to make every rupee work harder.

Sometimes, constraints don’t restrict creativity. They bring it out.

We were based in the UAE when we first started working with CRAFTSMEN in 2012, and I still remember finalising the design over a video call.

At some point, we felt the need to come down to India to personally supervise the execution. We initially thought we would stay for nearly a month to oversee everything, but within just two days, we were completely reassured by the way the CRAFTSMEN team was handling the project. We knew it was in safe hands and that the execution would be done exceptionally well.

The execution was seamless, professional and true to the design we had discussed remotely. Even today, our home is something we would trust only to CRAFTSMEN.

That level of trust, built over the years, says more than any review ever could.

When I look back at Imblotto, I remember it as a project that began with a very clear idea — and turned into a much bigger challenge than we had initially imagined.

Back in 2018, when Noida’s hospitality scene was still evolving, I wanted Imblotto to have an identity of its own. I was looking for an industrial look that would stand apart from the usual restaurant interiors and give us a first-mover advantage in the market.

I initially appointed another team because their quotation was lower. Unfortunately, what seemed like a saving at the beginning turned into a much bigger problem. The project was left incomplete, and we were eventually faced with the difficult decision of starting much of the work all over again.

That is when CRAFTSMEN stepped in.

They took over the project on a complete turnkey basis and, quite literally, had to redo the work from the ground up. It wasn’t simply about finishing what was left behind. It meant understanding the original vision, correcting what had gone wrong and rebuilding the space with the quality and detailing that the project deserved.

The industrial look we had envisioned was brought to life through the right materials, textures, lighting and detailing. More importantly, the space developed a character of its own.

What makes me particularly happy is that even today, years after its opening, Imblotto still has that same magic. It doesn’t feel dated or like a design that belonged only to 2018.

The experience taught me something I now value greatly — the lowest quotation is not necessarily the lowest cost. Sometimes, choosing the right team from the beginning saves you much more than money; it saves time, stress and the cost of doing things twice.

CRAFTSMEN eventually delivered what I had imagined for Imblotto, and for that, I remain genuinely appreciative.

— Ashish Mittal
Owner, Imblotto Bar & Restaurant

When we first met CRAFTSMEN, I was looking at a completely bare-shell space on a busy road in East Delhi. The idea was to create a restaurant on the mezzanine floor, and the challenge was to make the space work commercially while giving it a distinct identity.

Initially, I had appointed CRAFTSMEN only for the design. They offered both design consultancy and complete design-and-build services, but at that stage, I wanted to take the design route first and evaluate the execution later.

The designs, however, changed my thinking.

Once I saw the detailing, material selections, finishes and, more importantly, how the complete space was being visualised, I realised that handing over the execution to someone else could mean taking an unnecessary chance with the final outcome.

I wanted the finished restaurant to look exactly like what we had approved on paper.

So, I decided to hand over the complete execution to CRAFTSMEN.

For us, a diner was not simply about putting furniture into a room and opening the doors. CRAFTSMEN took responsibility for practically everything required to bring the restaurant to life — from the civil work, interiors and finishes to the kitchen, air-conditioning, ducting and all the associated services. Kitchen equipment and cutlery were the only major components outside their scope.

The diner was completed, and the experience gave me enough confidence to take the next step.

When we later planned the banquet, there was no hesitation. I once again entrusted CRAFTSMEN with the project.

What I appreciated most was that I didn’t have to constantly worry about coordinating multiple agencies or wondering whether the final execution would match the design. There was one team responsible for translating the vision into reality.

Looking back, what began as a design assignment became a complete partnership.

For me, that is the real value of working with CRAFTSMEN — when you see the design, experience the quality of the finishes and understand the thought behind the execution, you naturally want the same team to take it all the way to completion.

— Raj Singh Panwar
Owner, Aasshirwad Diner & Banquet, Delhi

We’ve worked together on four apartments, each with its own character, requirements and challenges. Yet across all four, the experience has stayed remarkably consistent: they understand what I want, sweat the smallest details and deliver without compromising on quality.

What makes the relationship special is the trust we’ve built over the years. Once CRAFTSMEN takes charge, I don’t have to look over their shoulder. They take ownership, solve problems, and make sure the finished space feels right.

There’s one more house still waiting to be designed — and there was never any question about who would do it.

After 15 years and four homes, that says everything

Having stayed at one of CRAFTSMEN’s curated spaces, I already knew the quality, thoughtfulness and attention to detail they brought to a project. So, when I moved into my duplex executive floor at TATA Primanti, choosing CRAFTSMEN felt like a natural decision.

From our first concept meeting through design development, execution and final handover, the entire journey was completed in barely five to six months. What stood out throughout the process was the level of involvement, ownership and attention to detail from the team.

Mr. Sandeep, who leads the team, was involved throughout the project and was always on top of even the smallest details. He had a remarkable understanding of where everything stood at any point, which made discussions and alignment extremely easy. I never felt that I had to repeatedly explain the same thing or chase the team for updates. There was a genuine sense of ownership from his side.

I also came into the process with plenty of ideas of my own. At times, I would get carried away with elaborate designs and fancy concepts that looked great on paper. Sandeep was always willing to listen to my ideas and explore them, but he was also comfortable telling me when he felt something was not the right choice. More importantly, he would explain why.

On several occasions, his advice was to simplify or rethink something because he felt it would not be practical or sustainable in the long run. Looking back, I am very glad he did. His experience helped us distinguish between something that simply looked impressive and something that would actually work beautifully as a home over time.

That balance between listening to the client and having the confidence and experience to guide the client is, in my view, one of CRAFTSMEN’s biggest strengths.

What pleased me most was how closely the final home reflected what we had discussed at the beginning, while still benefiting from the team’s experience and judgement along the way. The detailing, proportions, materials and overall feel came together exactly as we had hoped.

Most importantly, the home does not just look elegant. It feels comfortable and natural to live in. It feels like our home rather than a space that has simply been designed for us.

What has impressed me even more, though, is how the home has held up over time. I have now been living here for more than three years, and the quality of execution has truly stood the test of time. From the wardrobes and civil work to the electrical work, curtain fittings, mirrors, swimming pool, pergola, fabrications, bathroom fittings and countless other details, everything continues to function and look as it should.

Over three years of everyday use, there has been remarkably little that has required fixing, replacement or intervention. For a home with this level of detailing and the sheer number of elements involved, that kind of durability is something I genuinely appreciate. The fact that so much of the original work continues to be in excellent condition after three years speaks volumes about the quality of both the materials and the execution.

The entire experience was smooth, collaborative and surprisingly quick considering the scale of the project. Looking back after three years of actually living in the space, I can say with even greater confidence that the final outcome exceeded my expectations.

I am genuinely happy with what we created together, and choosing CRAFTSMEN was one of those decisions that has continued to feel right long after the project was completed.

Dear Sandeep and the Craftsman Team,

I would like to sincerely thank you and your entire team for the wonderful work you have done in creating our home.

The transformation has been truly impressive and we are very happy with the overall design, execution, aesthetics, and attention to detail.

I would rate the work 96% excellent and we genuinely appreciate the effort, creativity, and commitment that went into making our home beautiful and special.

As with every project, there will always be 4% scope for improvement—a few small practical details that can be refined further. But these are minor compared to the overall outcome and should be seen as opportunities to make an already beautiful home even better.
Overall, 96% excellence and 4% scope for improvement is a result we are very happy with.

Thank you once again for your dedication, patience, creativity, and for helping us turn our vision into a beautiful reality.

I have known Sandeep Kaul, Founder of CRAFTSMEN, for over a decade, and the idea of redesigning my home came up during one of our candid conversations. It was an older apartment that needed a fresh perspective, but the brief came with its share of challenges.

The floor plan needed to be reworked, more usable space had to be created, utility areas incorporated and several rooms completely reconfigured. There was a lot to solve, but once the floor plan was frozen, everything began to fall into place.

The design visualisation team then brought the concept to life beautifully, followed by what I would describe as immaculate execution.

What started as a casual conversation eventually became a complete transformation of my home, and seeing the final result come together was genuinely rewarding.

Working with Sandeep Kaul and the CRAFTSMEN team on Lakshmi Coffee House has been a genuinely rewarding experience.
For me, this was never just about creating another coffee house. It was about translating an idea, a certain character, and the experience I wanted people to have into a physical space. From our early conversations through the design and execution, the CRAFTSMEN team understood that distinction beautifully.

What stood out was their ability to listen, challenge ideas when necessary, and then bring the right ones to life with remarkable attention to detail. The finished space has a character of its own, and more importantly, it feels true to the place we had imagined from the very beginning.

I am extremely happy with how Lakshmi Coffee House has turned out. It has been a pleasure watching an idea evolve from conversations and sketches into a space that people can now experience, enjoy, and connect with.

I’m grateful to Sandeep and the entire CRAFTSMEN team for helping bring that vision to life.