Where To Shop

Where To Buy Ethically Made Rugs Online

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Welcome to my favorite topic as of late… ethically made rugs! This post will be full of exclamation points! I’m not sure when it happened exactly, but somewhere along the way I became obsessed with rugs. (I think Instagram is with me on this one.) My first rug came from a friend’s travels through New Mexico, others came from West Elm, who offers surprisingly good prices on Fair Trade Certified rugs, and others have been purchased via Etsy. I’m even putting a rug on my balcony (because vibes), I sure hope it arrives before summer ends!

Over the years as my obsession grew, I bookmarked every source for ethically made rugs online. I’m happy to report that it’s actually pretty extensive, and with a variety of price points too. Sadly I’m now kinda maxed out on rugs, so instead of leaving these glorious sources to collect dust in my bookmarks bar, I’ve put together a fun little guide to share here on eco club. Here are my favorite places to look for that perfect ethically made, fair trade rug online!

Archive offers handwoven artisan home goods as well as vintage finds. Our favorite rug is their hand-dyed Zapotec rug, crafted in Teotitlán del Valle.

I’m not sure how I came across Katel Home but their small collection of vintage rugs is impeccably curated. This is one to watch if you’re willing to wait for *the* rug to come along!

Loom + Field offers beautiful modern rugs in the most gorgeous feminine hues! I love bright rugs but lean pastel, which can be hard to come by. If that’s you, this is your spot!

Loomy is a source for unique, responsibly made rugs in such cool prints and palettes. Their outdoor rugs are beautiful too!

Ohh Happy Home is an Australian brand, and while they can’t ship all of their products to the US, they do have a selection of ethically made rugs available for international shipping. They have a great selection of cotton rugs, washable rugs, and rugs for kids’ spaces. They were kind enough to offer a discount code for eco club readers! Use code ECOCLUBFREE at check out for free shipping to the US!

Well Woven is probably the most extensive and affordable collection of ethically made rugs because they do everything from the design to manufacturing themselves. They share a bit about that process here. This could be a good source if you’d like to be a more conscious consumer, but don’t have a large budget with which to do so.

Based in Canada, Baba Souk is probably one of the dreamiest online shops I’ve ever scrolled through! Everything is SO bright and playful, just how I like it. They offer shipping to the US as well.

Another international brand that ships worldwide, Australia’s Pampa is home to traditional Argentinian rugs in really beautiful colorways. You can even design your own!

Minna has been offering ethically made rugs and home goods since 2013, in partnerships with artisans in Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. This one comes from weavers in Guatemala.

eco club member Made Trade has an impressive rug collection coming from designers around the globe. Actually, they’ve become kind of a one-stop-shop for all sorts of sustainable home goods. Scroll through pages of rugs here.

BOLE Road Textiles a Brooklyn based design studio that specializes in vibrant home decor, and their pieces are handwoven in Ethopia. The Bana Rug is our fave!

It’s a little embarrassing how many hours I’ve spent pouring over vintage and handmade rugs on Etsy! There are so many incredible shops there but here are a few of my favorites for rugs and textiles: Mumotoronto, Berberology, The Compulsive Traveler, and Majorelart.

Canary Lane carries a gorgeous selection of high end vintage rugs, including LOTS of insanely cool runners!

The Rug Company has been around since 1997, working with craftspeople in Nepal to make rugs in pretty much every print, color, or pattern you could dream up.

Justina Blakeney has dreamt up the most inspiring rugs for her bohemian home decor offerings at Jungalow. We love her collab with Loloi!

Like I said, Etsy is also a fabulous place to find ethically made rugs. Of course, you have to do your research to make sure the vendor is transparent in how their rugs are made and with what materials, but asking questions via DM usually helps me learn more. Here are some of our favorites!

<center

Where did you last purchase a rug? We’d love to update the list with more ethically made rugs you can buy online.

12 Expertly Curated Online Boutiques for Sustainable Home Decor

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

When I started blogging about green living and sustainable home decor back in 2015, it felt like I was always linking to the same five shops. There were plenty of options, but you really had to dig to find them. Reflecting on that time reminds me that while things seem to be moving at an imperceptible pace (and sometimes completely backwards, thanks, prez) in terms of society’s dedication to sustainability, they truly are moving. Still, anyone new to sustainable living will soon find how much research goes into ensuring your products really are ethically crafted, so I wanted to update you all with what I’ve found are some incredible sustainable home decor shops online! There are many out there but I chose these specifically because they always have a lot to choose from, a variety of price-points, and feature so many fantastic independent designers/artisans.

12 Expertly Curated Online Boutiques for Sustainable Home Decor

Made Trade – This eco club member is an enormous marketplace full of ethically made goods and sustainable home decor. They definitely have the largest roster of sustainable brands that I’ve seen in any single marketplace! (Product shown)

Loom & Field is a textile and homeware brand featuring rugs and other ethically made goods crafted in partnerships with artisans in Morocco. (Product shown)

Design Milk has their own design shop where you can purchase modern design and wares from independent brands all in one place. (Product shown)

Goodee, a Certified B-corp, is a global marketplace where good design and good impact intersect. (Product shown)

Bon Femmes sells beautiful art prints and other wares and accessories by independent makers. (Product shown)

Baba Souk is a Canadian based “happy home decor” shop full of ethically sourced, colorful Moroccan rugs, poufs, baskets, and handmade accents. (Product shown)

Mercado Collective, who also sells ethical jewelry and accessories, offers boho, desert, and travel-inspired artisan home goods. (Product shown)

Meso Goods is (in their words) a Guatemalan-based company dedicated to the design and production of exclusive handmade home decor and personal accessories. (Product shown)

Favor is a sister-brand to the furniture company Industry West, that emphasizes modern global home decor and independently designed wares. (Product shown)

Eco Vibe, an eco-friendly apparel and accessories brand from Portland has launched a line of sustainable home decor and plants at an affordable price point. (Product shown)

SustainAble Home Goods features a wide array of sustainable home decor, kitchenwares, gifts, and accessories. They also stock lots of vintage goodies and feature exclusive collaborations with independent artists. (Product shown)

Woven Rosa is a dream for the curator of a colorful home, with handwoven textiles, cushions, tote bags, and other unique finds like this wicker lampshade that was handmade in Peru. (Product shown)

Edit 2022: I wanted to update this post to share a new shop coming from the founders of eco club (AKA Jennifer and I). It’s called wallflower and we stock lots of handmade and sustainable home decor goodies as well as accessories and stationery. Take a peek!

Do you have a sustainable home decor shop to add to this list? Do tell, it seriously lights us up.

Creating a Summer Oasis On My Apartment Balcony

updated on June 14, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Do you have outdoor space you can retreat to during the summer of COVID? I’ve always been one to make use of any outdoor space I have, no matter how small–in California I was one of the only people in our entire complex to make use of the gorgeous courtyard (we didn’t have our own deck) almost everyday. Now that we’re in Seattle there are only so many months we can use our balcony but I’ve never been more grateful to have one!

For some reason no one else in our complex, again, seems to do so much as stand outside on theirs, but, their loss. I’m fully committed to making this space my oasis right up until Seattle starts doing that heavy wind/side rain situation that renders even covered spaces useless. That’s at least two months away!

Natural Fringe Coasters / Vases by Gabrielle Silverlight / Organic Cotton Yoga Mat / Woven Rosa Runner / Bamboo Hand Fans / Pink Bamboo Bowls / Mint Striped Vase / Kilim Pillow (sold out, find more from this shop here) / Fringed Palm Basket

Like most people I know, months of sheltering in place, not to mention the search for an outlet to direct some of that pent-up despair-over-the-fate-of-the-world energy, has led me to pour all my creativity and all my pennies into outfitting this small apartment balcony. Normally I’d purchase as much as I could for our balcony at a thrift store, but I’m trying to think of this as an opportunity to purchase from a few of my favorite Etsy shops and ethical brands.

So far I’ve outfitted my outdoor loveseat with vintage pillows from Etsy (guide to my favorite shops coming soon) and I’m waiting on a rug too. Next I hope to find some more unique artisan decor pieces like the vases above and I’d love to someday replace my battered yoga mat with an organic cotton mat by OKO–isn’t it gorgeous and about one million times better than any other yoga mat you’ve seen?

I’ll share a progress update once my apartment balcony looks more put together. But honestly, no matter what it looks like, it’s still my oasis every step of the way. I love being outdoors and when you live in an apartment, any size space will do!

Do you have an outdoor space to retreat to during summer?

Making The Most Of Summer During Covid-19

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

If there are two things that can (at least temporarily) pull me out of the funk that 2020 has trapped me in, it’s gotta be A) getting creative with someone (yes someone, social distance style) and B) spending time outside. Our talented photographer Charity and I had canceled our spring shoot due to the pandemic. Halfway through summer and sufficiently bummed, we knew that even if just the two of us got together outside we’d feel a whole lot better!

Today I’ll walk you through what we did so that hopefully you can make the most of this strange summer safely, with just a good friend (or family that you live with!) and a little patch of grass.

We’d connected with Tatiana of Zuahaza earlier this year with a tour of her creative studio in Bogota here on eco club. Zuahaza’s ethically made home décor are designed and produced in collaboration with their local community of female artisans. Tatiana is a fiber artist herself so it’s very inspiring to see how she combined so many of her own passions into this sustainable business.

She mailed us Zuahaza’s Salento Pillow and Jardin Pillow. When possible, I love to personally experience the brands we add to our sustainable shopping directory. I know there’s a bit of risk in not being personally involved with each & every one, but we’re also mindful of each member’s budgets and the fact that quite honestly we don’t need that much product. The pillows were beautifully made using 100% organic cotton and vibrant natural dyes. And as mentioned, they’re SO soft. So I brought those, along with several pillows I’d collected from Etsy for my balcony, over to summer happy hour with Charity.

Next we made this tasty cantaloupe margarita recipe by Charity’s sister, Katie Hestead, who is a cocktail expert!

Click here to view her cantaloupe aperol mint frozen margarita recipe. It was the perfect summer cocktail for real. We garnished with mint and edible flowers from Charity’s garden and took 9 million photos because that’s what we do with pretty drinks ‘round here.

A few suggested accessories for such an afternoon: snacks like fresh fruits & veggies, sun wear and care, a fun little raffia fan (I use them as wall décor so I have a few around), journals or books or magazines, and a camera if you’re in the mood to get creative and share your pretty scene with your Insta community.

And more cantaloupe margaritas.

How are you making the most of your summer during COVID? Let’s all be sure to check in on our friends and try to lift people up when we can. Even the tiniest activity like those above can be difficult to be motivated to do when you’re feeling down.

Shop Zuahaza on their website or via eco club member Made Trade.

Eco Club Approved: 19 Conscious Seattle Boutiques to Shop Small

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Updated 11/10/22 As promised, here are a few of our favorite Seattle boutiques featuring conscious goods from independent designers. When I set out to write, I knew that there were going to be so, so many shops to pull from. And then it took me weeks to put it up because I didn’t know where to stop. We’re so lucky that we have an abundance of options when it comes to shopping small in Seattle. (But if you’re not in Seattle, don’t click out! I’ve linked to each boutique’s website, which are all full of goods you can purchase online.) I tried to lean towards shops I’d personally visited so I could give a proper description, but I know there are so many more for me to explore this holiday season. Please feel free to leave links to your favorite boutiques in the comments so whoever finds it next sees an even bigger resource!

fruitsuper is a design-centric Seattle boutique featuring American made goods from over 80 independent designers. And isn’t it gorgeous? Plus, Pioneer Square is one of my favorite areas + while there you can visit several of the shops below, and be sure to grab a bite at one of the cute restaurants. And a fun note: I got to interview fruitsuper’s co-founder Sally-Ann Corn for a writing project, and she is all about embracing how brick & mortar can positively influence the local community. Photo by Krista Welch. fruitsuper.com

I strolled past Sfingiday in Fremont (and I don’t know how it took me so long!), and had to back up and take a peek. Yes. I walked backwards and then into the shop. I ended up with a handmade scrunchie + Palate polish (impulse buys from a girl on a budget) and a new favorite shop! Sfingiday stocks products from over 100 artists, from original art and design to dreamy ceramics (like sooo dreamy), fashion accessories and so very much more. They even have some basics for those of you going zero waste! All in a small, cozy space. Photo by Sfingiday. sfingiday.com

Update 2022: This shop has moved to online-only as well as offering photography + other creative services.

You don’t have to consider whether the products in Anders Shop are something you’d feel good about supporting, as owner Sally Honeycutt is committed to sustainable & ethically made artisan home goods. In her Seattle boutique, you’ll find home decor, gifts, accessories, beauty and more all in the most beautiful little space. Photo by Sally Honeycutt. andersshop.com

Update 2022: This shop has since moved to Georgetown and is available for private shopping appointments.

Clementines is a fashion boutique with women’s shoes, clothing, accessories, gifts, and more. While some of the designers featured here are a little more high end, they have lots of giftable goodies. Another reason they’re worth a visit? Vintage shop Swan Dive is just down the stairs inside the shop, and it’s a well curated little space full of affordable clothing. Stop by and shop the gifts that envelope brunch spot The London Plane next door too. Photo by Clementines. clementines.com

Formerly Tides & Pines, September is a Ballard boutique and a great place to go for a lot of designers you don’t often see on Seattle shelves, like Callahan, Cleobella, and Flynn Skye. They feature a selection of local goodies too. Photo by September. septembertheshop.com

If you know indie brick & mortar, you know Moorea Seal. Anyone else followed her journey since back in the early blog days? Moorea’s downtown shop is one of the prettiest you’ll find, and even stocks eco club members like Back Beat Co. Plus, Moorea Seal gives back—7% of all proceeds go to nonprofits. Photo by Moorea Seal. mooreaseal.com

Editor’s note: Moorea Seal has since closed.

I finally made it to Pipe & Row last week after curiously walking by on my way to get tacos in Fremont too many times to count. This shop is expertly curated. They’re another great shop if you’re looking for a mix of local and your favorite brands to follow on Instagram. And they do have fun little accessories and gifts to check out. Visit them in the same trip as Sfingiday, as they are right by each other. Photo by Sorelle Hardin. pipeandrow.com

Updated 2022: This shop is online-only with an extensive zero waste selection that ships plastic free!

Eco Collective is a one-stop shop for for sustainable alternatives to everyday essentials like toothbrushes, food wraps, package-free soaps, and basically any zero-waste staple you can think of. They also host events and workshops, so it’s a great spot if you’re just beginning your journey to zero waste. Photo by Eco Collective. ecocollectiveseattle.com

Looking for more zero-waste shops in Seattle? The Naked Grocer and A Public Shop are wonderful too.

Cura is an artful and ethical boutique in Seattle’s Central District. They highlight impact driven artists and designers and offer inspiration for more intentional living. Photo by The Cura Co. thecuraco.com

If you love plant shops, you’ve probably seen some version of this photo on Instagram in recent years. Glasswing is a rare haven for both plants and fashion, located on the Pike and Pine corridor next to some great shops and restaurants. They also have mens fashion and unique gifts. After the success of their boutique, they opened Glassing Greenhouse in Capitol Hill, so if you’re in the market for greenery, you’ll want to hit up both. Photo by Glasswing. glasswingshop.com

A popular spot in Ballard, Prism is an inspiring, colorful boutique full of beloved indie brands like Lisa Says Gah and Ali Golden. They also stock a selection of beautiful jewelry and lots of quirky, cool gifts. Some items are a little pricier, but you can guarantee it isn’t something everyone else has. Photo by Prism. prismseattle.com

I love to stop in Flora Henri while in Pioneer Square (and grab a coffee or doughnut at General Porpoise). It’s a luxury lifestyle boutique that also has a lovely heirloom baby/kids section. I spotted Veja sneakers there last time which are definitely on my wishlist. Photo by Flora Henri. florahenri.com

Eco club member Nightshade is Seattle’s first and only hybrid plant shop and tattoo parlor! It’s located in lively lower Queen Anne (my old neighborhood!) near the Seattle Center and some amazing restaurants. They specialize in custom black and grey fine-line tattoos, a curated selection of common and collector house plants, and magical curiosities.

When it comes to sustainability, Owner Aleisha Tilson explains, A great portion of my plants are sourced locally from farmers and greenhouses in the state of Washington. We don’t source outside of the west coast. It is very important to us to utilize the resources closest to us to lessen our carbon footprint. Along with creating these close relationships from our purveyors, I also have started propagating and cultivating some of our plants. It is my goal for the future to have a plot of land where I can build my own greenhouse. tattoosandplants.com

Be sure to check out blumenkinder, Drygoods Design, Liten, and Velouria, all local boutiques that you can shop online too. I know there are quite a few more Seattle boutiques that deserve a spot on this list, so be sure to add your favorites in the comments. Happy shopping (small)!

Sustainable Home Decor for Every Style: Ethically Sourced Bohemian Decor

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

Did you catch our first post in this series of sustainable home decor for every style? First, we covered the artisan home decor trend–you know, the one with playful colors, lots of natural textures, and some minimalist accents. Next up, another favorite of mine is bohemian decor, and I know it can come off as super trendy and not necessarily something that comes off as classic, which could turn any ethical shopper off from buying into. However, if your style leans bohemian season after season, there are definitely ways to get that laidback, free-spirited vibe with pieces that will last longer and turn more heads than your average department store finds.

Ivory tower reversible rug / Jakarta rattan dining chair / Jars of Dust teapot / Mustard woven bowl / Wildwood Candle Co Maple / Gardenia alpaca throw / Wicker fan / Wicker mirror / Ula oil burner / The essential companion tote from Ten Thousand Villages / Pie dish / Samaya meditation cushion

Besides the ninety thousand other arguments for purchase sustainable home decor when outfitting your abode, I’d say that one major reason is that you are bound to curate a look that’s entirely yours. There will always be trend, but finding handcrafted and slow-made goods to personalize your look means committing to finding and investing in objects that truly represent your style. Plus, the more you shop slow-made, the more you start to realize just how much every. single. thing. you find mass produced is influenced by (or straight up stealing from) an original artist, designer, or craftsperson. It’s jarring!

Back to bohemian home decor. I find my personal style being more of a mix of the artisan home, eclectic thrifted goods (so many quirky finds I try to incorporate in an otherwise fairly reserved space!), and a few boho pieces for added flair. I’d love to incorporate a little more of this look, if I could!

Stay tuned for the next in this series, where we talk modern goods for the sustainable home.