Homegrown Brand 'Design Ni Dukaan' Just Gave The Humble Woven Mat A Stunning New Form

I grew up sleeping on a pai — that quintessential South Indian grass mat that held the coolness of the floor on summer nights. It wasn’t my usual sleeping arrangement; but it was a go-to hack for sticky summer nights - to take a shower, put the fan on full speed and go to sleep on a Pai - to combat the heat. This was a sensory experience, one that left an indelible mark on my childhood. Even now, the sight of a pai evokes an immediate sense of home—of mosaic floors, open windows with cross ventilation, and afternoon breezes during peak Indian summer. When I came across the Banu Pai Cabinet by Design Ni Dukaan, it was a piece of furniture that resonated with me on a cultural level, so much so that I could envision it in my home, bridging my love for nostalgia with contemporary design.

Design Ni Dukaan, known for its distinct material-led approach, has crafted the Banu Pai Cabinet as an ode to traditional hand-woven grass mats. The cabinet, like its namesake, incorporates woven pai into its structure, not as an ornamental accent but as an integral functional element. What makes the Banu Pai Cabinet remarkable is its seamless translation of a humble, often-overlooked object into a contemporary furniture piece. The pai is traditionally associated with temporary or flexible living arrangements —rolled up, tucked away, and brought out as needed. Here, it is given permanence and prominence, reimagined within a structure that is aesthetically compelling and deeply rooted in cultural memory.

The natural fibre is meticulously framed within a wooden body, demonstrating the studio’s commitment to tactility and craftsmanship. The cabinet, designed in collaboration with Majja Collective, is an intersection of material storytelling and everyday usability. The form itself is minimalist, allowing the organic texture of the mat to take centre stage, while the wooden framework offers structure and durability. The integration of these two materials - one firm, one pliable - creates a visual dialogue about strength and softness, tradition and modernity. 

Design Ni Dukaan’s work often leans into the philosophy of material-first design, where the inherent properties of a material dictate the form and function of an object. The Banu Pai Cabinet is no exception - it is not just about nostalgia, but about recontextualization. It places artisanal skill within the realm of modern interiors, making a case for a slow, thoughtful design that respects heritage while pushing it forward.

For someone like me, who grew up with the pai as an everyday object, this cabinet feels like a continuation of that relationship — an object of extreme familiarity made surprisingly unique with its reimagination. It’s the kind of piece that doesn’t just sit in a home but speaks to its inhabitants, carrying the weight of history and cultural representation while effortlessly fitting into the present.

Follow Design Ni Dukaan here.

Follow Majja Collective here.

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