NKUKU
Founded twenty years ago by husband and wife team Alistair and Alex Cooke, Nkuku was born from a transformative journey to East Africa. Moved by the skilled artisans they encountered and their dedication to their craft, Alistair and Alex felt a calling to support these artisans while also building a business opportunity for themselves. Their shared passion for the environment, fair-trade practices, traditional crafts, and interior design laid the foundation for what would become Nkuku.
On the shores of a distant beach, the original business plan was scribbled on the back of a paperback, fueled by inspiration and the desire to make a difference. The name "Nkuku" was borrowed from a village they encountered during their travels through Zambia. From those humble beginnings, Nkuku has held steadfast to its core values: Ethical, Eco-Friendly, and Handmade.
Their journey continued, leading them to India, where they explored more traditional crafts and connected with small businesses. While away, they sent numerous purchases back home, setting their sights on selling them upon their return. Relocating from the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of rural Devon, Ali and Alex began showcasing their finds at local markets and fairs, using the proceeds to develop their own line of exquisitely designed photo albums, journals, and photo frames. With limited resources for travel, they chose to focus on a single country, forming a partnership with a family business they had encountered during their travels.
Nkuku initially thrived as a wholesale homeware business, supplying independent stores across the UK before evolving into a prominent retail brand.Today, Nkuku operates a beautiful lifestyle store in Totnes, Devon, and serves customers directly through its website, Nkuku.com, which was launched in 2019. In March of 2023, after undergoing two years of rigorous assessment, Nkuku achieved certification as a B Corp, proudly joining a growing global community of companies redefining business by prioritising purpose alongside profit.
At Nkuku, every piece tells a story, weaving together a tapestry of culture, craftsmanship, and care for the planet. Founded with a spirit of compassion and adventure, Nkuku continues to thrive, touching the lives of artisans, customers, and all those who hold a special place for handcrafted homeware with heart.
LAYERED LOUNGE
Layered Lounge style transcends the world with influence taken from the Modern Coastal interiors of the United States to sleek Scandinavian design and relaxed Australian vibes. Layer your home with Layered Lounge for a simplistic paired back elegance. With a love of natural textures, soothing neutral colour palettes and harmonious relaxed styling, Layered Lounge strongly believes in a home being a haven, a place to retreat and relax into.
THE COTSWOLD COMPANY
Founded in 1996, The Cotswold Company embarked on its journey, establishing its first store in Bourton- on-the-Water, nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. Continued growth led the business to later relocate its flagship store to the enchanting Stow-on-the-Wold. Today, The Cotswold Company boasts a network of 8 stores across the UK and an easy-to-shop e-commerce site, offering over 1300 individual product lines. A UK- based call centre provides customers with excellent service, advice on the brand's collections, and information about its high-quality delivery service, with a majority of orders delivered by an in-house delivery team.
The Cotswold Company continues to draw inspiration for its furniture and accessories collections by the natural beauty, way of life, architecture, and spirit of the Cotswolds. Initially renowned for finely crafted and beautifully designed cabinet furniture, the company has evolved to offer a diverse range of homeware categories. From furniture tailored for both home and garden, upholstery, lighting, tableware to bed linen.
At the core of their commitment lies the use of responsibly sourced timber for all wood furniture, whether it's natural oak, cherrywood, or pine. The brand meticulously traces the origin of every piece back to its forest roots. Since their inaugural sustainability pledges in 2020, they have planted over 75,000 trees and eliminated over 90% of polystyrene from their packaging. The use of fine materials and a rigorous testing process has enabled The Cotswold Company to craft products that will last a lifetime for the customer. Coupled with the brand's commitment to providing a 15-year guarantee on its furniture lines, customers can invest with confidence in timeless, high-quality, and well-crafted pieces for their homes.
In 2022, the brand collaborated with Emmaus, a UK-based charity and community dedicated to working together to end homelessness. By offering advice as furniture specialists, The Cotswold Company will continue to work with Emmaus on a range of different initiatives.
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