Stone Art Brings Ancient Forests Into Contemporary Homes

In an age where interior design trends change faster than the seasons, there’s something quietly powerful about pieces that hold their ground — not just stylistically, but historically. With their latest launch, Delhi-based heritage brand Stone Art taps into that kind of permanence. Their new line of petrified wood washbasins isn’t just another design addition — it’s a dialogue with the past.

Carved from fossilised trees that lived millions of years ago, each basin in this collection is a one-off sculpture, transformed by nature and brought to life by hand. At a glance, you see natural textures — but look closer and you’ll notice layers of time, preserved in stone. And that’s the charm of Stone Art’s design philosophy: it doesn’t chase trends. It tells stories.

What Is Petrified Wood?

For those unfamiliar with the material, petrified wood is unlike anything you’ll find in regular interiors. It’s a fossil — the result of ancient trees buried under sediment and slowly mineralised over centuries. As organic matter decays, water rich in minerals flows through and replaces the wood fibres, turning it into stone.

The result? A unique material with the soul of timber and the strength of rock. And no two pieces are alike. You’ll find striations, mineral veining, even traces of bark — each telling you where it came from and how long it took to get here.

From Earth to Basin: The Design Language

Stone Art’s team doesn’t manipulate the material to fit trends. The design process is led by the stone itself. Some basins lean organic and irregular, shaped around the natural edges of the fossil. Others are honed down to smooth, contemporary forms that still retain the grain and drama of their origin.

“Every basin is treated like a standalone object,” shares Ashutosh Bansal, the third-generation helmsman of Stone Art. “Some people are looking for something minimal. Others want a piece that makes a bold statement. The beauty of petrified wood is — you get both.”

The colour palette is another highlight. Depending on where the wood fossilised and what minerals seeped through, you’ll find everything from smoky greys and chocolate browns to deep blacks and soft creams. It’s a texture lover’s dream.

Why It Works in Today’s Interiors

The beauty of this collection is its adaptability. These basins can sit just as comfortably in a luxury hotel suite as they can in a rustic mountain home. In fact, designers working on spa retreats, boutique hotels, and eco-conscious homes are already eyeing them as signature pieces. They're grounding — literally — and introduce a sense of place.

In minimalist interiors, they become the quiet showstopper. In more layered or earthy spaces, they tie everything together. And for homeowners who want something no one else has? This is a surefire way to bring in design individuality.

Stone Art: A Legacy of Material Mastery

To understand the weight behind this new launch, you need to go back — way back. Stone Art isn’t a start-up studio riding the artisanal wave. It’s a brand with over 150 years of history.

Founded by Shri Pyare Lal Basheshwar Nath, Stone Art began as a humble slate stone trader — but quickly became a key supplier for the construction of Lutyens’ Delhi. Over time, the family expanded into carved stonework, later exporting Indian craftsmanship overseas under the leadership of Brijesh Bansal.

In 2013, when Ashutosh Bansal joined the family business, he brought with him a fresh design vision. From outdoor planters in carved sandstone to contemporary sculptures in marble, Stone Art’s portfolio began evolving toward modern landscapes — while retaining the soul of traditional materials.

Today, their work can be spotted across luxury projects from ITC, Taj, Hyatt, Hilton to residential developments by DLF, Tata, Omaxe, Ace, Sobha, and infrastructure collaborations with L&T, GMR, and Cushman & Wakefield.

More Than A Fixture, It’s An Heirloom

What sets the petrified wood collection apart is not just material rarity — it’s intent. These aren’t fast design objects. They’re slow-crafted, with each piece selected, cut, and polished to highlight its organic origin. The basin becomes more than a washpoint; it becomes a personal connection to earth, time, and craft.

Sustainability is also built in — not just as a buzzword but as a process. Petrified wood doesn’t come from felled trees or quarries. It’s recovered from ancient deposits, often treated as artefacts. The carbon footprint is low, and the longevity is extremely high.

This is design that doesn’t expire. It only deepens.

Where to Experience It

Stone Art’s flagship showroom in Sultanpur, New Delhi, offers a curated viewing experience for clients, architects, and design studios. The basins are displayed alongside their wider offerings — from sculptures, fountains, and outdoor planters to artefacts in stone, ceramic, and composite materials.

Website: www.stoneart.asia

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