Eco-friendly homeware with style

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One of my biggest bugbears about being an ethical shopper is that too often it means compromising on style. In fact, it was this that spurred me to create the Decorator’s Notebook Shop in the first place, to bring together a collection of design-led products so there’s no need to compromise your style or your conscience…. 

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First look at the new Decorator’s Notebook collection

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Braided utility basket in Carnival Blue - Decorator's Notebook shop

Putting together each new collection for the Decorator’s Notebook shop is one of my favourite tasks. My ears are constantly open and when I hear of a new artisan group making beautiful homeware or gifts my eyes light up and my heart sings! The pieces we’ve found for the shop for Spring / Summer 2016 are… 

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The Good List: Quazi Design

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A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of sharing coffee with Doron Shaltiel, the creative force behind innovative African jewellery brand, Quazi Design. You may not guess to look at these beautiful pieces, but each and every one is made from recycled paper in Swaziland. Not only is it eco-friendly, it’s fair trade too…. 

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Beautiful bags that build better lives

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Something I love most about having a shop is discovering all the amazing indigenous craft techniques around the world. I look at the gorgeous things we sell and just think ‘wow, there’s no way I could make that’. It really brings home to me how important it is for Decorator’s Notebook to be a showcase… 

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Decorator’s Notebook at Downing Street!

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Bethan John and Joe John from Decorator's Notebook at Downing Street

We were just finishing work for the day when the phone rang: “The Prime Minister is holding a reception at Number 10 for successful startup businesses on Monday… would you like to attend?” Well, it’s not exactly an invitation you receive every day, so of course we said yes! After much debate over what to… 

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The Good List: Rubies in the Rubble chutney

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Welcome back to The Good List, our guide to brilliant businesses making a difference to people and the planet. Today I’ve been chatting to the lovely Jenny Dawson about her company, Rubies in the Rubble. Two years ago, she made a dramatic career change, leaving behind her lucrative job in a hedgefund to make posh… 

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A beautiful film about ancient craftsmanship in the Rainforests of Borneo

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When Bethan and I opened the Decorator’s Notebook shop, we didn’t know whether we’d be able to sell truly unique, handmade products online. Would people need to see them with their own eyes and touch them with their own hands to really appreciate their craftsmanship, beauty and value? Over the last six months, we’ve been… 

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Design Can Change the World: The Information Blanket

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The idea that a purchase here in the UK can directly improve the lives of people in need in developing countries is central to what we do at Decorator’s Notebook, with many of our products being made by social enterprises and co-operatives around the world. For this instalment in the series we wanted to share with you… 

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