It is an idea our families understand instinctively, and one that belongs to no single culture: the courtyard is where a home gathers itself. As first-generation Americans, both Meenu and Ruqaiyah have experienced this in the context of South Asia, where visits back home allowed us to experience the essence of it.

This painting, still evolving, traces that feeling — the rhythm of the arcade, ornate columns, vibrant walls and the intricate tiles that bring the space to life.

For Ruqaiyah, it begins with the courtyard of her family’s bungalow in Pakistan: evening chai beneath trees swaying in the hot breeze, the day’s stories shared while birds and cats quietly cede their space, a neighbor’s wedding held within its walls. It is loved, above all, for the way it brings people together.

It was this idea that inspired our first collection of coasters. Taking the familiar form of a tile and reimagining it as an everyday object, we wanted to bring fragments of these spaces into our own homes. A small reminder of the patterns, places, and memories we carry with us, even when we’re far from them.