Case Study: How We Delivered 22,000 Sq. Ft. of Custom Italian-Inspired Furniture from China to Delhi
It Started with a Simple Instagram DM
"Is this for real? Or just marketing fluff?"
That's how Mr. Singhal first reached out to us last year. He'd been scrolling through Instagram at midnight, frustrated after another disappointing day of furniture shopping in Delhi showrooms. Then he stumbled upon Minose's feed factory tours, craftsmen at work, real furniture being built.
He was skeptical. Understandably so.
Just four months later, I stood in his stunning 22,000 square foot Hauz Khas residence, watching him run his hands over the Italian marble dining table we'd sourced from Foshan. "I still can't believe how fast this happened," he said, shaking his head.
Let me walk you through exactly how an Instagram message turned into a fully furnished luxury home in just 16 weeks.
The First Conversation Changed Everything
Our first video call lasted three hours. Not because we were selling because we were listening.
Mr. Singhal had spent eight months trying to furnish his new home. He'd visited every high-end showroom in Delhi. Flown to Mumbai to see more options. Even planned a Milan trip. Nothing felt right.
"Everyone wanted to sell me their vision," he explained. "Nobody asked about mine".
So we asked. How did his family actually live? Did they entertain formally or prefer casual gatherings? What furniture from hotels or restaurants had caught his eye? What was his aesthetic language beyond just "contemporary Italian"?
His wife chimed in about needing durable materials they have two energetic kids and a golden retriever. His designer added notes about architectural constraints and lighting considerations.
By the end of that call, we weren't just furniture suppliers. We were collaborators. Within two weeks, we had him booked for our next Foshan factory tour.
Foshan: Where Everything Clicked in Five Days
Mr. Singhal, his wife, and their designer landed in Foshan for our curated five-day sourcing tour.
I'll never forget his expression walking into the first factory. "This is... not what I expected China to be like," he said, looking around at equipment and showrooms that rivaled anything in Europe.
We visited carefully pre-selected manufacturers not random factory hopping, but strategic visits to makers whose capabilities matched his project perfectly.
Day One: The Louvre Market and Red Star Macalline, establishing quality benchmarks.
Days Two-Three: Specialized factories for living furniture, bedroom pieces, upholstery, lighting, and accessories.
Day Four: The material selection marathon. I watched Mrs. Singhal examine Italian leather samples for forty minutes, feeling the texture, comparing colors, discussing which would stand up to kids and pets. Mr. Singhal picked marble slabs for the dining table, learning about book-matching techniques he'd never considered.
Day Five: Orders placed. Every specification documented. Payment structure confirmed: 30% deposit, 40% at production milestone, 30% after final inspection.
"I've never felt this connected to furniture before it even existed," Mrs. Singhal told me. "In showrooms, you point at what exists. Here, we were creating exactly what we wanted".
Ten Weeks: From Factory Floor to Final Inspection
Back in Delhi, Mr. Singhal wasn't left in the dark.
Our permanent Foshan team sent weekly photo updates showing his furniture taking shape. Frame construction. Upholstery work. Finish application. He watched his dining table being assembled, his sofas taking form, his bedroom pieces coming together.
"Those updates were addictive," he joked. "Like watching your house being built, but actually exciting".
At week 10, our team conducted comprehensive pre-shipment inspection. Every dimension verified. Every finish examined under specialized lighting. Every drawer and door tested. We sent him complete photographic documentation. Only after his approval did we authorize shipping.
Four Weeks Later: Installation Day
Sixteen weeks after that first Instagram message, containers cleared customs and arrived at his Hauz Khas home.
Our installation team spent two days carefully unpacking, positioning, and perfecting every piece. Not just delivery white-glove installation where furniture was placed with precision, leveled perfectly, and we didn't leave until everything was immaculate.
When we finished, Mr. Singhal walked through his home slowly, taking it all in. The marble dining table where his family would share meals. The custom sofas where his kids would eventually do homework. The bedroom furniture designed exactly to his wife's specifications.
"Four months ago, I sent you an Instagram message. Now I'm standing in my dream home," he said quietly.
The Numbers That Made It Possible
Project scope: Complete furnishing for 22,000 sq ft residence
Timeline: Just 16 weeks from first contact to final installation
Investment: ₹1.1 crore
Equivalent retail cost in Delhi/Mumbai: ₹2.8+ crore
Savings: ₹1.7 crore (over 60% cost reduction)
But here's what mattered more than money or speed they got exactly what they wanted. Not close. Not "good enough." Exactly right.
What He Said After
Mr. Singhal's testimonial still gives me chills:
"After months of searching for the perfect partner to source furniture from China, we discovered Minose. Their transparent approach made the entire process seamless. Detailed consultations, regular progress updates, and flawless execution. The quality speaks for itself, and knowing each piece is handcrafted by skilled artisans makes it even more special. Extremely professional and committed".
Why Four Months Instead of Eight?
Traditional European luxury furniture makers quote 6-8 months for similar projects. Indian high-end retailers? Often 5-6 months with limited customization.
Minose delivered in 16 weeks because:
Pre-vetted manufacturer relationships mean no time wasted on factory searches
Direct communication in Mandarin eliminates translation delays
Efficient Foshan production systems built for customization
Streamlined logistics with experienced customs handling
White-glove installation team ready the moment furniture arrives
Speed without compromising quality that's what modern luxury sourcing delivers.
The Real Success Metric
Two months after installation, I got another message from Mr. Singhal. Just a photo his family gathered around that Italian marble dining table, celebrating his daughter's birthday.
No words needed. That image captured what luxury furniture sourcing should be: not just beautiful objects delivered fast, but the foundation for beautiful moments.
That midnight Instagram message led to a home filled with furniture that tells their story. In just four months.
That's what we do.