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With its country pubs and quaint little cafés, nestling amongst the region’s patchwork hills and wooded river valleys, South Devon calls to mind a picture of traditional Englishness like few other places in the country, but that’s far from the whole story. Look closer and you’ll find a region with surprising connections to every corner of the globe.

For example:

  • Local food businesses like the South Devon Chilli Farm combine exotic tastes with the best of local produce.
  • The Dartington Hall Trust bring musicians and artists from all over the world together for workshops, courses and concerts.
  • The South Devon town of Totnes is a famous centre of Eastern-inspired philosophies and health practices.
  • You can find classes in yoga, meditation and more in Dartmouth, Salcombe, Kingsbridge and elsewhere in the area.

Another way that South Devon is connected to the rest of the world is through the artisan wares that work their way around the globe to our local shops and stalls.

One standout example of this is Nkuku, a home and lifestyle company  which was founded 10 years ago in rural Devon. The founders, Ali and Alex Cooke, came up with the the idea after returning from a round-the-world trip. To complement their online store, they recently opened a café on the outskirts of Harbertonford, near Totnes.

The distinctive name was taken from a hut in Zambia, and the jet-setting pair continue to travel internationally to meet the artisan producers of everything they stock.

Their products – many of which are fair trade – range from decorative pots and pans to soft furnishings all the way to bespoke wooden furniture. Why not stop by their store for a snack in the café and browse for something distinctive to take home after your South Devon break?

Local owners of holiday homes are also likely to find much to interest them. Adding some of Nkuku’s high-end handmade wares could add some serious ‘wow’ factor to many properties.

Their range is also comprehensive enough to base a major redecorating project around it – a good way to keep up with the ever-rising standards and discerning tastes of Devon holidaymakers.

We asked Alex to talk us through five of their favourite items and where they came from.


1.Kiko Photo Frames

Our Kiko frames are one of our most iconic pieces. The glass front and back make them great for photographs or other precious keepsakes like postcards, concert tickets and drawings. They look great grouped together in a range of sizes and orientations. Each one is strung with a recycled sari tie.


Kiko Frame 2


2.Mali Pottery

Our beautiful Mali Pottery is hand made in southern India as part of a fair trade project. The scheme offers training and secure employment to artisans from disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme focuses particularly on empowering women in the workplace.


mali_ceramic_teapot_sq-1


3.Indra Coil Storage Baskets

Our stylish coil baskets are handmade by a collective of craftswomen in southern India. Established by a NGO to provide sustainable livelihood projects for women who previously depended upon seasonal labour in drought prone areas. The baskets are naturally dyed, hand spun and woven using natural fibres.


Indra Coil


4.Eni Block Print Rug

Dress your home with these gorgeous block printed rugs. Handmade using natural materials these faded black and natural rugs are both eco-friendly and stylish. Word of Wisdom: The pattern on these rugs is created using traditional hand blocks. This means there may be variations in the consistency of the print colour.


Eni Block Print


5.Biviri Ceramics Collection

The elegant Biviri Ceramic Serving Bowls are handmade from white clay in Vietnam. We love the beautiful textures of this piece. They feature a beautiful smooth glazed surface with a textured unglazed base. We love the beautiful design of these bowls.


Biviri Collection

Why not pay a visit next time you’re passing through?

Or take a look around their online store here.