At Home with India Hicks

AT HOME WITH india hicks

For India, entertaining is an extension of craft, a quiet dialogue between the objects we hold and the people who fill our lives. It is a philosophy rooted in the mastery of the everyday, where small rituals and artisanal stories transform a house into a living presence. From her collaborations with global makers to the effortless grace of island life, India possesses a rare instinct for the "quiet triumph". Here, she shares the traditions and treasures that define her approach to hosting, and the enduring beauty of a life lived with intention.

You’ve championed artisans both in the Bahamas and beyond. What keeps you so passionate about preserving traditional craftsmanship today?

Working with artisans has taught me to admire patience! Every hand-stitched hem, every woven basket carries a piece of someone’s time and spirit. In a world racing toward convenience, I like the idea slowing down (still have to put that into practice!) Supporting craftsmanship today feels like an act of quiet rebellion against disposability.

What is the most treasured artisanal or design piece that you’ve been gifted?

My most treasured artisanal pieces are two pottery dishes, made in the south of France and bought by my father in a market when we were children, slightly uneven, beautifully so, and have served everything from conch salad to Christmas pudding ever since I inherited them.

Rattan Wine Cooler

$730.00

Carlos White Glass Tumbler, Set of 2

$220.00

Shell Platter

$320.00

Bambou Gold 4-Piece Cutlery Set

$830.00

Candy Dish I.

$620.00

Lemon Box

$430.00

Conch Shell Dish, Set of 2

$260.00

Pearl Dinner Plate, Set of 2

From $310.00

Working with artisans has taught me to admire patience! Every hand-stitched hem, every woven basket carries a piece of someone’s time and spirit.

India Hicks

Which piece in your home brings you the most joy, and why?

The piece that brings me the most joy is an Indian tent we had made in Rajasthan. It’s entirely impractical and very wonderful stitched by hand, painted with soft gold stars and now pitched in our Bahamian garden for dinners under real stars.

When you’re hosting, what small rituals or details never fail to delight your guests?

When hosting, I love small rituals, linen napkins tied simply with raffia, a scattering of sea shells on the table, a candle flickering inside a hurricane glass. Guests always seem to smile at the simplest gestures, a handwritten place card, or an extra splash of rum in their glass.

If friends drop by unexpectedly, what’s your go-to drink and canapé?

If friends drop by unannounced, David will mix a Dark & Stormy with the rum he makes, Idle Assembly.