Second Act

Workers of Art make a strong case for why heritage furniture is worth reinventing

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An ornate teak wood cabinet that once held crystal glassware or souvenirs from family holidays, a carved bed built for a wedding night, or a dining table that fed two generations before — these are the heirlooms that quietly narrate a family's life.

And yet, they can often be overlooked as out of step with contemporary aesthetics. Whether tucked away in the attic, woven into family lore, or folded into everyday life, heritage furniture often remains part of the home - even if no longer truly seen. Kochi-based studio Workers of Art shows how these pieces can be thoughtfully repurposed to carry those stories forward, while still feeling right at home today.

Founders Priya Rose and Rahul Mathew believe that restoration isn't just sustainable or sentimental it's also smart. After transforming ten heirlooms into twenty bespoke pieces for a modern home, they share why antique furniture is built to endure, how to keep it fresh, and innovative, adaptable ways to make it your own.

Why restore instead of buying new?