Now-Stalgia: Where Time, Memory and Modern Indian Homes Converge

In a world constantly chasing what’s next, there’s something deeply reassuring about design that pauses, looks back, and then moves forward with intention. That is the quiet power of Now-Stalgia-a philosophy that doesn’t romanticise the past, nor abandon it, but instead allows history to breathe within the present. This idea comes alive in Now-Stalgia, the latest collection by Obeetee Carpets and Home, designed in collaboration with food and design curator Eeshaan Kashyap.

Founded in 1920 in the historic carpet belt of Mirzapur, Obeetee has spent over a century weaving stories into wool-stories of craft, continuity, and cultural pride. Now-Stalgia feels like a natural evolution of that legacy. Rooted in Ottoman visual language and time-honoured weaving techniques, the collection speaks fluently to contemporary Indian homes that are layered, lived-in, and emotionally rich.

Time as a Loop, Not a Line

For Kashyap, Now-Stalgia is less about nostalgia and more about continuity. It’s about being inspired by the past, grounded in the present, and creating pieces worthy of being passed on. “It feels like a time loop,” he explains-where old motifs resurface not as replicas, but as re-interpretations. What emerges is familiarity without predictability.

Ottoman textiles-once symbols of power, ceremony and indulgence-form the visual backbone of the collection. Abstract mirrored forms, celestial symbols, and rhythmic wave patterns are translated onto hand-tufted wool rugs that feel equally at home in a restored bungalow or a sharp, modern apartment.

Living with Memory: Rugs That Belong

The Chakra Hand-Tufted Wool Rug perhaps captures the essence of Now-Stalgia most intuitively. In soothing beige and rust tones-colours that sit effortlessly within Indian homes-it brings warmth without demanding attention. The Ottoman-inspired wavy pattern culminates in a sunset-like centre, making it ideal for a living room where mornings begin slowly with filtered sunlight and evenings wind down with conversation. It doesn’t overpower a space; instead, it anchors it, quietly reminding you that design can be both meaningful and easy to live with.

Similarly, the Ottoman Echo Rug plays with grandeur in a subtler, more introspective way. Set against a deep blue base, its broken wave and abstract mirrored motif-once found on royal silk velvets-feels almost meditative. In a study, library, or even a contemporary dining space, it adds depth and a sense of rhythm, especially when paired with clean furniture and soft lighting. This is heritage, reframed for today.

Movement, Ascent and Quiet Drama

There is something undeniably poetic about the Stair-Wave Rug. Its rising, wave-like steps feel symbolic-like movement, progress, and ascension woven into wool. Abstract yet deeply emotive, it works beautifully in transitional spaces: a hallway, a reading corner, or a double-height living area where the rug can be viewed from multiple perspectives. It doesn’t tell you what to feel, but it invites contemplation.

This sense of movement is balanced by the celestial calm of the Crescent-Solar and Crescent-Gaze rugs. Drawing from Ottoman symbols of sovereignty and cosmic order, these designs feel almost spiritual in their rhythm. The Crescent-Solar, with its gold base and red-white moon motifs, brings warmth and luminosity-perfect for spaces meant for gathering. The Crescent-Gaze, in a softer grey palette, feels more introspective, suited to bedrooms or quiet lounges where serenity is key.

Craft as a Living Language

What makes Now-Stalgia especially compelling is not just its visual narrative, but the way it is made. Hand-tufted using pure wool by skilled artisans, each rug carries the weight of generations-old techniques. This is not nostalgia as decoration-it is nostalgia as process.

Angelique Dhama, President of Obeetee Pvt. Ltd., describes such collections as “stories woven into each thread.” It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply when you consider the brand’s scale and responsibility: over 25,000 artisans, thousands of looms, and more than a century of safeguarding Indian craft traditions.

As Obeetee enters a new chapter with the launch of Obeetee Carpets and Home in 2025, Now-Stalgia stands as a reminder that legacy isn’t about standing still. It’s about evolving-thoughtfully, respectfully, and with purpose.

Designing for the Present, Remembering the Past

Now-Stalgia doesn’t ask you to choose between old and new. It invites you to live with both. In homes where modern architecture meets inherited furniture, where global aesthetics blend with Indian sensibilities, these rugs feel instinctively right.

Available from January 2026 online and at Obeetee flagship stores across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune, the Now-Stalgia collection is less about making a statement and more about creating a feeling-one that lingers, much like memory itself.