Craft & Inlay
The detail that sets a Designatore piece apart is cut and set by hand. Bodhi-leaf and lotus inlay, hand carving, gilding and mother-of-pearl — worked leaf by leaf in our own workshop, then polished flush into wood, lacquer and stone.
The Bodhi Leaf, Cut by Hand
The foliate leaf that runs through the Designatore crest is the same one our craftsmen inlay by hand — each leaf masked, cut and set one at a time, so no two panels are ever exactly alike.
Watch the Craft in Motion
The hand-work and the semi-precious stone, filmed up close in our workshop in India. See more in Designatore on Film.
Questions People Ask Us
Is the inlay work really handmade?
Yes. Every inlay is cut and set by hand, one leaf and one line at a time. Our craftsmen mask the pattern, cut each piece, and inlay it flush into the wood or stone before the surface is polished.
What is the leaf pattern in Designatore inlay?
It is most often the bodhi or peepal leaf and the lotus — the same foliate motif that runs through the Designatore crest. We also make tree-of-life and mandala inlays, and can cut a custom pattern for your piece.
What materials do you inlay?
Silver and brass metal inlay, mother-of-pearl, and stone, set into solid wood, high-gloss lacquer or marble. You choose the metal and the pattern.
Can I get inlay work on my own furniture design?
Yes. Inlay, carving and gilding are done in-house, so we can add a custom inlay panel, carved medallion or gilded detail to any piece we build for you.
Where is the craft work done?
All of it is done by hand in our own India workshop — cutting, carving, gilding and inlay — and delivered worldwide.
Want inlay on your design? Let's make it.
Tell us the piece and the pattern. We add hand inlay, carving or gilding to anything we build for you, and show you the design before we start.
Wondering about the material rather than the work? The materials library explains onyx, marble, brass, wood, velvet, leather and lacquer plainly, and shows every piece we have made from each.