The new luxury goes beyond purchasing pricy items. It is more related to being socially responsible and choosing ethically produced goods, made with sustainable inputs that don’t generate a major environmental impact or jeopardize the survival of endangered animal and plant species. Rare and precious woods, exotic furs, mass production, and materials obtained through unethical practices are a thing from the past. Today, we look for unique, hand-made pieces we can acquire directly from their creators if possible; local, recycled, and organic materials, along with brands that contribute to improving the living conditions of vulnerable communities around the world. Keep reading to find some ideas to decorate your house with style and play your part to create a better society and a better world.
Kuchinate Basket
Kuchinate is a community established in Israel, which brings new life opportunities to African women seeking asylum. The participants make handicrafts inspired by African culture and offer workshops to teach and share their traditions. In addition to dignifying their lifestyle, belonging to the community helps women to heal trauma through art, community work, and therapy.
Tenango de Doria Embroidery
The Tenango is an embroidery style from the town of Tenango de Doria, in the State of Hidalgo, which stands out for its bright colors and for portraying elements such as plants and animals, scenes of daily life, harvest, religious images, and traditions like the day of the dead. The needlework of Tenango is considered part of Mexico’s cultural heritage and represents the essence and the roots of the Otomí people.
Medieval Tray
In reverse glass painting, the design is silk-screened onto the reverse side of the glass. The painting is done “back to front”: details painted first, then larger color areas, and finally a background color. This technique dates back to the middle ages and requires great care and skill, as the visual “surface” is painted first then layered over, so errors cannot be corrected. Inspired by the cathedral of Lima, Peru.
Zinapécuaro Pot
This town in the State of Michoacán produces a unique type of pottery called negative painted pottery. The designs derive from the ancient Purépecha culture. The making of a vase like this can take up to 20 days. The work of the artisans of Zinapécuaro is internationally renowned.
Copper meditation bowl
These bowls have been used in meditation and sound therapy for thousands of years. The Bajra Singing Bowl is handcrafted in Nepal by artisans whose singing bowl casting knowledge is vast and generational. The bowl is inscribed on the outside in Tibet with the Buddhist chant, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” which boasts a syllable that focuses on each of the practices of Buddhism from generosity to wisdom. The chant is said to focus the individual on achieving perfection in each practice and bringing one to a purer existence.
Phoenician Goblet
Blown glass goblet is handmade from recycled glass by artisans of Hebron Glass & Ceramic Factory in the West Bank. Recycled bottles are smashed into pieces and melted in high-temperature ovens. In Phoenician glass blowing, artisans add substances to the molten glass, with the resulting reaction creating a range of colors. Working with this process takes an especially skilled hand, and is reserved for the true masters of the art. Each piece has its own unique blend of color and pattern.
