Mid Century Modern Furniture India | Handcrafted Solid Wood Furniture Pondicherry

East Coast Modern furniture workshop and studio in Pondicherry, India

Introduction

East Coast Modern is a furniture, lighting, and object design studio based near Auroville on East Coast Road, Pondicherry. We reinterpret classic designs with a contemporary lens, creating bespoke solid wood pieces. Rooted in traditional craftsmanship, our skilled artisans blend heritage techniques with modern sensibilities to craft timeless, durable furniture that celebrates design, material, and making.

Founder

Architect Mohammed Safvan — founder and creative director of East Coast Modern. An alumnus of the Measi Academy of Architecture, Mohammed brings architectural sensitivity to furniture design and workshop practice.

Mohammed Safvan working on furniture design at East Coast Modern workshop

Architect Mohammed Safvan with mid-century modern furniture piece

Founder of East Coast Modern showcasing handcrafted wooden furniture

Reclaimed timber selection at East Coast Modern workshop

Seasoned wood beams ready for bespoke furniture making

Hardwood logs selected for solid wood furniture

Wood & Timber Selection

We specialize in reclaimed woods like Burma Teak and Indian Laurel, sourced from 200-year-old beams and seasoned to reveal rich, distinctive grain. Alongside these, we work with premium timbers such as White Ash, White Oak, and Teak. All our wood is responsibly sourced, using FSC-certified materials from accredited suppliers, ensuring sustainability, authenticity, and exceptional material quality in every piece.

Carpentry

Our in-house team of skilled craftsmen, originating from Pondicherry and its surrounding regions, brings generations of expertise to every project. Their time-honored skills in traditional carpentry and joinery ensure that each piece is crafted with exceptional precision and attention to detail. Under our meticulous supervision, our craftsmen select the finest timber and handcraft each product, guaranteeing superior quality and a distinctive finish.

Master carpenter cutting solid wood for a custom furniture frame

Craftsman shaping joinery on a bespoke furniture component

Precision carpentry details on a hand-built wooden structure

Finishing wood joinery at the East Coast Modern workshop

Weaving

Our skilled artisans, with over a decade of experience in the craft of cane weaving, uphold a tradition passed down through generations from Pondicherry. Their expertise, combined with our innovative design approach, enables us to create distinctive patterns and weaves using a range of materials including rattan, papercord, paracord, jute, and sabai grass rope.

Finishes

We use low-VOC stains and finishes to ensure a healthier, child-safe, non-toxic environment. Each piece is meticulously hand-sanded for an ultra-smooth surface, then hand-finished by skilled artisans for precise control and depth. We offer fully customizable finishes, including a wide range of stains and carefully crafted distressed effects to suit each project's unique character.

Low-VOC finish being applied to handcrafted furniture

Hand sanding and custom finishing on solid wood furniture

Finished wooden furniture with a smooth hand-rubbed finish

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Gallery

Step into the charm of the 1950s-60s with our Mid-Century Furniture gallery - modern simplicity with a vintage soul, showcasing timeless bespoke solid-wood pieces handcrafted in Pondicherry.