Our monthly edit of news, shopping inspiration and inside information
SPOTLIGHT ON… Utterly Floored: Ken Fulk x The Rug Company
Designer Ken Fulk’s new collaboration with The Rug Company is not only divine – it is revolutionary. Five luxurious wool rugs celebrate the joys and rituals of life and showcase his signature nostalgic familiarity. A sixth rug is entirely bespoke to become a narrative of the buyer’s life told in textiles. Inspired by Delft tiles, each tile can be customised to show the people, pets and pastimes that are important to the purchaser. Ken says: “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people could tell the story of their own lives in a rug? A deeply personal, one-of-a-kind rug that could have your dogs, your kids, your favourite activity told in the story of a rug? It’s perhaps my favourite thing we’ve done.” therugcompany.com
Consciously Crafted Nkuku founders celebrate 20 years
Sitting on an African beach 20 years ago during a round-the-world trip, Ali and Alex Cooke jotted down the bare bones of a business plan on the back of a paperback, borrowing a name they had seen in a Zambian village – Nkuku. Driven to support the inspiring artisans they had met on their travels, and seeking a business opportunity combining their passion for crafts, interiors, the environment and fair-trade practices, their focus was to be on core ‘ethical, eco-friendly and handmade’ values.
Two successful decades later – with stockists across the UK and Europe, and a flagship store based in stone barns in Totnes, Devon – the same core values remain paramount to the brand. From market stalls to country fairs and wholesale to retail, Nkuku works with artisans throughout the world to create beautifully handmade home and lifestyle products that combine timeless design with traditional skills and natural materials. The recently launched autumn/winter collection is testament to this, with textural handcrafted items to cherish and cosy up with as temperatures dip – think sofas, cushions, throws, rugs, candles, ornaments, vases and furnishings.
Proudly B Corp-certified, a benchmark for high social and environmental standards, Ali and Alex say: “Nkuku was founded with the simple goal to lead the way with ethical homewares, considering our environmental impact by using eco-friendly materials and valuing and sustaining handmade traditional skills through fair and transparent relationships with our suppliers, while working towards mutual success. Throughout the years we have evolved, but we have also remained true to our foun
