There is nothing like witnessing a beautiful spring in France, especially during these hard times. I can't wait until we can escape beyond 10 km…I'm dreaming of going straight to Provence to witness everything taking bloom. It still is one of my favorite spots in France – I particularly love the small towns throughout the Luberon Valley – it’s dreamy.

But on a different note, this week we venture to the Yucatan to unravel another material from the area. If you’re like me, you like to keep things paired down in the bathroom as a way to keep the space fresh, clean and bright. These stone accents make for a beautiful but minimal addition to any bathroom – the handcrafted details, the luxurious cream color, and made to last quality of each piece make them truly special, plus the fact that they support a community of artists.

With warmer weather in sight, I thought these lightweight towels and robes might be lovely summer companions. This line is handcrafted by a partner of mine who works closely with a group of artists in Cambodia. The 100% cotton robes are sewn by hand in my partner’s studio in Phnom Penh. The cotton is sourced by women who work in their homes in rural villages throughout Cambodia. Each piece is hand-dyed in their open-air dying studio, working with natural dyes, and then handwoven on looms in the homes of the artists.

This line touches upon many things we’re looking for these days: simplicity, quality, sustainability, and a neutral color palette that fits perfectly into any home. In addition to this collection of cotton towels and robes, they have a full range of beautiful rugs and throws available.

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.