In today’s fast paced life, reminiscing the past can be a heartwarming and indulgent experience. It reminds us to pause, breathe and savour the simpler things in life. The joy of raiding kitchen shelves on a hot summer afternoon, waiting endlessly for tuesdays and the almost amber-coloured brass bowl of ‘besan ladoos’! As I attempted to mirror those sentiments and the old world charm in my home, I turned to brass. We love our metals and a while back we wrote about the ‘Return of the metals – brass, copper and bronze in the kitchen‘. Today, let us explore ways in which we can help you bring the warmth of the old world charm into your home, simply with brass.
About the brand
Courtyard by Aline, the brainchild of Kapil Mathur, a NIFT and NID alumnus who conceived this brand with a deep desire to bring the old world charm back in our homes, to re-connect with our roots by way of the glistening metal, brass. Speaking to him about his start-up story was thrilling and hugely inspiring. So, here I am, sharing it with the rest of my world.
Kapil Mathur gives ‘Urban Kaarigars’ a new lease of life
It was heartening to know that Kapil gathered together karigars from the metal smithing community who had once worked or learnt the skill, but left it behind as it was unable to sustain their livelihood. He guided these ‘Urban Karigars’ to work on his designs. From metal piercing to hammering, from welding to finishing and packing, Kapil evolved his designs based on the skills at hand. Giving them a sense of purpose, a bit of work discipline and retiral benefits in addition to a good salary, Kapil has ensured he works with a happy bunch. A peep into some of these clever kaarigars creating goodies for our homes:
With sheer grit, determination and lots of hard work, Kapil set up his enterprise to provide employment, using skills of kaarigars that earlier weren’t being utilised, creating products, that have found homes amongst the shoppers of leading retail chains like Fab India, Westside and Lifestyle. Products under the brand Courtyard by Aline are available at leading independent and online stores such as Chamiers – Chennai, Purple Turtles, Cinnamon, Mother Earth – Bangalore, Ishatvam – Delhi, Jaypore and Houseofthings!
Now, do have a sit down, browse the wonderful creations and get a piece or two for your home.
Our favourite products
Which part of your home do you want to ‘brassify’ first?
I would begin by getting a piece that you’re going to use or see often. I love coffee in all its avatars, and if you have ever had the Kumbakonam degree coffee, you will be certain to pick the south indian filter coffee tumbler to go with it and, my next acquisition would be a gorgeousness in the name of brass dinnerware. Eating out of amber-coloured brass, takes me right back to summers at my grandparents’ home; a memory that never, ever fails to bring a smile to my face.
Want some? Contact Courtyard by Aline
- Call: +91 95401 34446
- Email: courtyard@alinedesign.org
- Website: http://www.courtyard.co.in
- Facebook: Click here
XO, Nupur
All images: Courtyard by Aline
Cover Image: Jaypore.com
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