oon – The Interiors Addict

Ethical homewares brands: Amy’s top six!

In the context of Marie Kondo, the unbridled purchasing of cheap, mass-produced homewares seems a little out of step at present and just as people started to think harder about ‘fast’ fashion, many people are turning to more ethical options for their homes. From woven baskets to rugs and cushions, here are our picks of the most stylish yet ethical homewares.

Oon: Working with a team of Nepalese artisans, Sydney based homewares label Oon is committed to fair working conditions for its makers while contributing to the social and economic wellbeing of their communities. From rugs to cushions, baskets and throws, the brand’s products are made from natural, eco-friendly, renewable materials.

TK Maxx: A new look for the brand, TK Maxx has just launched a new Uganda homewares collection comprised of colourful handmade baskets and bowls made by remote communities in Western Uganda. The exclusive range is part of TK Maxx’s initiative to help disadvantaged families increase their incomes.

Klaylife: We’ve sung the praises of Klaylife before and it’s definitely one of our favourite ethical homewares brands. Initially, the clay beaded chandeliers were crafted exclusively by a community of South African artisans whose lives had been impacted by HIV but over time, as the brand’s popularity has grown, more and more women with differing circumstances have joined the team.

Photography by Armelle Habib and styling by Jacqui Moore

Amigos de Hoy: Gorgeous designs aside, the Amigos de Hoy rug and cushion line-up is also accredited by Good Weave International which gives customers peace of mind that no child labour was used in the making of the range. And by purchasing the brand’s homewares you are supporting programs that educate children while ensuring decent work for adults too.

Image photographed by Armelle Habib and styled by Julia Green and Noel Couglan for Greenhouse Interiors — Photography by Armelle Habib and styling by Julia Green and Noel Couglan for Greenhouse Interiors

One Another: With backgrounds in graphic design, photography and fashion, Rick and Annette Carter combined their love of design with artisanal techniques to create their homewares label One Another three years ago. Since launching, the duo have expanded to working with collectives located in India, Nepal, South Africa, Uganda and Central America, helping provide safe, stable employment with fair pay to over 60 artisans.

Oh Happy Home! “Ethical trading has always been at the forefront of my mind. I’m conscious of fast fashion and fast homewares and I always want to do whatever I can to support the maker and the weaver,” says Amy Eaton of the decision to launch her ethical rug label Oh Happy Home in 2017. On-trend designs aside, we love Amy’s commitment to fair trade – something that sets it apart from many of its competitors. The company is partnered with Good Weave International too.

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From Nepal to Sydney, Oon homewares with a conscience

Growing up, Sumnima Moktan always had two passions: social work and design. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, she had witnessed first hand the gender inequality and poverty that was so prevalent in her neighbouring communities, but with an urge to pursue a creative vocation, Sumnima arrived at a crossroad.

“I came to Australia for my masters in public health, however while at uni I took a job in retail selling designer rugs. It was a very creative process and without my active knowing, I was learning so much and having an outburst of design ideas. So, then came the fork in the road: did I leave a career that I was studying towards and embark on an uncertain adventure; and if so, what about all the social work that I wanted to do?”

So rather than pick one, Sumnima decided to combine both, starting Oon (Nepali for wool), an ethical homewares and fashion brand committed to social entrepreneurship and responsibility. “With fair trade being a key philosophy, our focus is on equitable commerce and the overall welfare of our Nepalese artisans. We carefully select the factories and makers we work with, we make sure there’s no child labor, there’s good working conditions and hours, and fair trade acceptable wages. We also look for codes of practice and ethics and we do not haggle for cheaper prices or production.”

While Sumnima is now based in Sydney, she often visits her makers in Kathmandu, happy to see that many of her female artisans are able to put their wages into improving their living conditions and basic education for their children.

However, what is also important to her is that she ensures the Nepalese craft survives. “Nepal has long been known for its artisanal heritage, especially the hand-knotted wool rugs. So we design a range of these rugs, as well as felt cushions, vase sleeves, bowls and baskets. We also manufacture clothing in cashmere. Sustainability and the environment are close to our heart, so all items are made of natural, renewable materials.”

With the collection drawing inspiration from the colours, rich culture and traditional artisanal heritage of Kathmandu, the wares are suitable for both kids and adults.

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