When you’re in the kitchen, it’s often the simplest tools that help the most. Now that we’re spending more time cooking at home, I think we’re all paying more attention to these small additions that can make our lives easier, calmer and brighter. With that in mind, I wanted to share the work of a partner of mine from Mexico, who offers items for the modern home kitchen while remembering their prehistoric roots.

From bowls and mortars to vases, trays, mezcal cups, and cutting boards, these goods warm up any home. I particularly love the variety of colored marble available in Mexico – that’s what I wanted to focus on today. Of course, white marble is beautiful, but these green and rose tones are really something special.

This week I invite you to explore naturally dyed rugs, crafted in Teotitlan. They’re designed with incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail by my partner in France. These beauties can go in any home thanks to their subtle but chic color palette.

In addition to being made using natural dyes, they are crafted on looms that date back centuries. Rooted in tradition, they pay respect to the complex motifs of the Zapotecs, coming from the artists’ memories to represent symbols and stories of the region. Rugs are made by artists who have descended from a long line of weavers. Most artists are fully involved in the process from the dying and preparing of the yarn to the weaving itself. Often the whole family participates.

This month, I am honored to interview Colleen and Margaret Clines, co-founders of the Anchal Project, a sustainable home decor and textile brand. Working alongside artists in India, Anchal is known for its bold, quilted designs.
Colleen Clines was taking a graduate seminar class at the Rhode Island School of Design when she embarked on a trip to India in 2009. Through local leadership, she was introduced to women who were being exploited by the commercial sex trade. This left a mark. She was inspired to collaborate with the local NGO and soon her enterprise came to fruition.

This week, we venture to Guatemala as I am delighted to present to you some wooden tableware that’s perfect for shops or brands that would like to develop a unique collection of their own. I’ve always found it difficult to source wooden products that have both an inspiring mission and a sustainable component. That’s why I’m thrilled to share the work of my partner, as their commitment to sustainability and community impact is as strong as their gorgeous designs.

This week, I’m delighted to dive into the craft behind fique rugs and to showcase the work of one of my Colombian partners who makes them. When I first traveled to Colombia many years ago, these are one of the products that really stood out. I’m excited to share for those of you looking for a new, chic line of rugs. You might be wondering, what is fique? It’s a fleshy tropical succulent plant native to Colombia – you’ll often see it planted next to other crops as many Colombian families plant it to sell to their local artisan markets. The fiber takes three years to grow.

This week I’m excited to focus on one of my partners from Ethiopia, who are crafting some of the most timeless, quality textiles for bath, kitchen and everyday use. They offer a wide range of placemats, runners, scarves, cushions, throws, and other table linens but today we’re spotlighting these beautiful towels which are fairly new to the mix.