10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER
Free Delivery Orders over £80*
WIN A £500 GIFT VOUCHER
Nkuku | Ethical & Eco-Friendly Homeware, Furniture & Lighting
Lifestyle Store & Café
0

0 items in basket

  • New Arrivals
    • Please add your email address New Arrivals
    • New Arrivals by Category
      • Please add your email address New Arrivals by Category
      • New Furniture
      • New Lighting
      • New Home Décor
      • New Kitchen & Dining
      • All New Arrivals
    • Please add your email address New Arrivals by Category
    • New Furniture
    • New Lighting
    • New Home Décor
    • New Kitchen & Dining
    • All New Arrivals
    New Lighting

    New Lighting

    New Furniture

    New Furniture

    New Tableware

    New Tableware

  • Home Décor
    • Please add your email address Home Décor
    • Home Accessories
      • Please add your email address Home Accessories
      • Photo Frames
      • Wall Art
      • Clocks
      • Lanterns
      • Candle Holders & Tealights
      • Decorative Accessories
      • Decorative Hooks
      • Desk Accessories
    • Mirrors
      • Please add your email address Mirrors
      • Wall Mirrors
      • Floor Mirrors
      • Decorative Mirrors
      • All Mirrors
    • Soft Furnishings
      • Please add your email address Soft Furnishings
      • Cushions & Throws
      • Baskets & Bags
    • Planters & Vases
      • Please add your email address Planters & Vases
      • Indoor Pots & Planters
      • Vases & Decorative Pots
      • Garden Planters
      • All Planters & Vases
    • Rugs
      • Please add your email address Rugs
      • Runners
      • Hemp Rugs & Accessories
      • All Rugs
    Cushions & Throws

    Cushions & Throws

    Mirrors

    Mirrors

    Planters & Vases

    Planters & Vases

  • Furniture
    • Please add your email address Furniture
    • Living Room
      • Please add your email address Living Room
      • Armchairs & Loungers
      • Sofas
      • Coffee & Side Tables
      • Console Tables
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Footstools & Poufs
      • Living Room Lighting
      • Soft Furnishings
      • Rugs
    • Kitchen & Dining Room
      • Please add your email address Kitchen & Dining Room
      • Stools & Bar Stools
      • Dining Chairs & Benches
      • Dining Tables
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Console Tables
      • Mirrors
    • Bedroom
      • Please add your email address Bedroom
      • Bedroom Furniture
      • Bedroom Lighting
      • Bedroom Textiles
      • Mirrors
    • Hallway & Bootroom
      • Please add your email address Hallway & Bootroom
      • Console Tables
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Storage & Shelving
      • Mirrors
      • Rugs
    • Home Office
      • Please add your email address Home Office
      • Desks
      • Desk Chairs
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Storage & Shelving
    • Outdoor
      • Please add your email address Outdoor
      • Garden Furniture
      • Fire Pits
      • Outdoor Lighting
    Armchairs & Loungers

    Armchairs & Loungers

    Stools & Bar Stools

    Stools & Bar Stools

    Console Tables

    Console Tables

  • Lighting
    • Please add your email address Lighting
    • Shop by Type
      • Please add your email address Shop by Type
      • Table Lamps
      • Floor Lamps
      • Pendant Lighting
      • Wall & Spot Lights
      • Lampshades
      • Garden & Outdoor Lighting
      • Desk Lighting
      • All Lighting
    • Shop by Style
      • Please add your email address Shop by Style
      • Industrial Lighting
      • Natural Lighting
      • Classic Lighting
      • Contemporary Lighting
      • Rustic Lighting
      • All Lighting
    • Shop by Material
      • Please add your email address Shop by Material
      • Glass Lighting
      • Glass Table Lamps
      • Wooden Lighting
      • Rattan & Wicker Lighting
      • Antique Brass Lighting
      • Brass Table Lamps
      • Iron Lighting
      • All Lighting
    • Shop by Room
      • Please add your email address Shop by Room
      • Living Room Lighting
      • Bedroom Lighting
      • Kitchen Lighting
      • Office Lighting
      • Dining Room Lighting
      • Hallway Lighting
      • Garden & Outdoor Lighting
      • All Lighting
    Pendant Lighting

    Pendant Lighting

    Table Lamps

    Table Lamps

    Floor Lamps

    Floor Lamps

  • Kitchen & Dining
    • Please add your email address Kitchen & Dining
    • Tableware
      • Please add your email address Tableware
      • Mugs
      • Plates
      • Bowls
      • Glassware
      • Cutlery
      • Table Accessories
    • Serveware
      • Please add your email address Serveware
      • Serving Bowls
      • Jugs
      • Trays & Platters
      • Cake Stands
      • Cheese Boards & Knives
      • Chopping Boards
    • Kitchen
      • Please add your email address Kitchen
      • Kitchen Storage
      • Pantry
      • Wine Racks
    Kitchen Storage

    Kitchen Storage

    Tableware

    Tableware

    Glassware

    Glassware

  • Gifts
    • Please add your email address Gifts
    • Eco-Friendly Gifts
      • Please add your email address Eco-Friendly Gifts
      • Gifts for the Home
      • Gifts for Entertaining
      • Gifts for Plant Lovers
      • Gifts under £50
      • Gifts for Cooks
      • Home Office Gifts
      • Luxury Gifts
      • Board Games
    • Jewellery Gifts
      • Please add your email address Jewellery Gifts
      • Jewellery
      • Jewellery Boxes
      • View All
    • Gift Cards
      • Please add your email address Gift Cards
      • E-Gift Card
    Jewellery Gifts

    Jewellery Gifts

    Home Office Gifts

    Home Office Gifts

    Gifts for Plant Lovers

    Gifts for Plant Lovers

  • Outdoor
    • Please add your email address Outdoor
    • Outdoor Furniture
      • Please add your email address Outdoor Furniture
      • Outdoor Tables & Chairs
      • Bistro Sets
      • Fire Pits
      • All Garden Furniture
    • Outdoor Living
      • Please add your email address Outdoor Living
      • Garden Planters
      • Summer Living
      • Garden Lounging
      • Garden & Outdoor Lighting
    Garden Furniture

    Garden Furniture

    Fire Pits

    Fire Pits

    Garden Planters

    Garden Planters

  • Sale
  • Nkuku Life
    • Please add your email address Nkuku Life
    • About Us
      • Please add your email address About Us
      • Our Story
      • Our Values
      • Travel Journal
      • Sustainability Policy
      • Environmental Policy
      • Charity Partnerships
    • The Art of Making
      • Please add your email address The Art of Making
      • Fair Trade Jewellery
      • Wire Craftwork & Sculpture
      • Metal & Glass Craftwork
      • Traditional Glass Making
      • Sustainable Carpentry
      • View All
    • Our Blog
      • Please add your email address Our Blog
      • How to Style an Outdoor Space
      • Earth Day 2022
      • 5 Ways to Enhance your Garden with Planters
      • Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space
      • All Blog Posts
    • Lifestyle Store
      • Please add your email address Lifestyle Store
      • Visit our Lifestyle Store
      • Our Stockists
      • Gift Cards
      • Competition
    Art of Making

    Art of Making

    About Us

    About Us

    Visit Our Store

    Visit Our Store

  • New Arrivals
    • Please add your email address New Arrivals
    • New Arrivals by Category
      • Please add your email address New Arrivals by Category
      • New Furniture
      • New Lighting
      • New Home Décor
      • New Kitchen & Dining
      • All New Arrivals
    • Please add your email address New Arrivals by Category
    • New Furniture
    • New Lighting
    • New Home Décor
    • New Kitchen & Dining
    • All New Arrivals
    New Lighting

    New Lighting

    New Furniture

    New Furniture

    New Tableware

    New Tableware

  • Home Décor
    • Please add your email address Home Décor
    • Home Accessories
      • Please add your email address Home Accessories
      • Photo Frames
      • Wall Art
      • Clocks
      • Lanterns
      • Candle Holders & Tealights
      • Decorative Accessories
      • Decorative Hooks
      • Desk Accessories
    • Mirrors
      • Please add your email address Mirrors
      • Wall Mirrors
      • Floor Mirrors
      • Decorative Mirrors
      • All Mirrors
    • Soft Furnishings
      • Please add your email address Soft Furnishings
      • Cushions & Throws
      • Baskets & Bags
    • Planters & Vases
      • Please add your email address Planters & Vases
      • Indoor Pots & Planters
      • Vases & Decorative Pots
      • Garden Planters
      • All Planters & Vases
    • Rugs
      • Please add your email address Rugs
      • Runners
      • Hemp Rugs & Accessories
      • All Rugs
    Cushions & Throws

    Cushions & Throws

    Mirrors

    Mirrors

    Planters & Vases

    Planters & Vases

  • Furniture
    • Please add your email address Furniture
    • Living Room
      • Please add your email address Living Room
      • Armchairs & Loungers
      • Sofas
      • Coffee & Side Tables
      • Console Tables
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Footstools & Poufs
      • Living Room Lighting
      • Soft Furnishings
      • Rugs
    • Kitchen & Dining Room
      • Please add your email address Kitchen & Dining Room
      • Stools & Bar Stools
      • Dining Chairs & Benches
      • Dining Tables
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Console Tables
      • Mirrors
    • Bedroom
      • Please add your email address Bedroom
      • Bedroom Furniture
      • Bedroom Lighting
      • Bedroom Textiles
      • Mirrors
    • Hallway & Bootroom
      • Please add your email address Hallway & Bootroom
      • Console Tables
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Storage & Shelving
      • Mirrors
      • Rugs
    • Home Office
      • Please add your email address Home Office
      • Desks
      • Desk Chairs
      • Cabinets & Sideboards
      • Storage & Shelving
    • Outdoor
      • Please add your email address Outdoor
      • Garden Furniture
      • Fire Pits
      • Outdoor Lighting
    Armchairs & Loungers

    Armchairs & Loungers

    Stools & Bar Stools

    Stools & Bar Stools

    Console Tables

    Console Tables

  • Lighting
    • Please add your email address Lighting
    • Shop by Type
      • Please add your email address Shop by Type
      • Table Lamps
      • Floor Lamps
      • Pendant Lighting
      • Wall & Spot Lights
      • Lampshades
      • Garden & Outdoor Lighting
      • Desk Lighting
      • All Lighting
    • Shop by Style
      • Please add your email address Shop by Style
      • Industrial Lighting
      • Natural Lighting
      • Classic Lighting
      • Contemporary Lighting
      • Rustic Lighting
      • All Lighting
    • Shop by Material
      • Please add your email address Shop by Material
      • Glass Lighting
      • Glass Table Lamps
      • Wooden Lighting
      • Rattan & Wicker Lighting
      • Antique Brass Lighting
      • Brass Table Lamps
      • Iron Lighting
      • All Lighting
    • Shop by Room
      • Please add your email address Shop by Room
      • Living Room Lighting
      • Bedroom Lighting
      • Kitchen Lighting
      • Office Lighting
      • Dining Room Lighting
      • Hallway Lighting
      • Garden & Outdoor Lighting
      • All Lighting
    Pendant Lighting

    Pendant Lighting

    Table Lamps

    Table Lamps

    Floor Lamps

    Floor Lamps

  • Kitchen & Dining
    • Please add your email address Kitchen & Dining
    • Tableware
      • Please add your email address Tableware
      • Mugs
      • Plates
      • Bowls
      • Glassware
      • Cutlery
      • Table Accessories
    • Serveware
      • Please add your email address Serveware
      • Serving Bowls
      • Jugs
      • Trays & Platters
      • Cake Stands
      • Cheese Boards & Knives
      • Chopping Boards
    • Kitchen
      • Please add your email address Kitchen
      • Kitchen Storage
      • Pantry
      • Wine Racks
    Kitchen Storage

    Kitchen Storage

    Tableware

    Tableware

    Glassware

    Glassware

  • Gifts
    • Please add your email address Gifts
    • Eco-Friendly Gifts
      • Please add your email address Eco-Friendly Gifts
      • Gifts for the Home
      • Gifts for Entertaining
      • Gifts for Plant Lovers
      • Gifts under £50
      • Gifts for Cooks
      • Home Office Gifts
      • Luxury Gifts
      • Board Games
    • Jewellery Gifts
      • Please add your email address Jewellery Gifts
      • Jewellery
      • Jewellery Boxes
      • View All
    • Gift Cards
      • Please add your email address Gift Cards
      • E-Gift Card
    Jewellery Gifts

    Jewellery Gifts

    Home Office Gifts

    Home Office Gifts

    Gifts for Plant Lovers

    Gifts for Plant Lovers

  • Outdoor
    • Please add your email address Outdoor
    • Outdoor Furniture
      • Please add your email address Outdoor Furniture
      • Outdoor Tables & Chairs
      • Bistro Sets
      • Fire Pits
      • All Garden Furniture
    • Outdoor Living
      • Please add your email address Outdoor Living
      • Garden Planters
      • Summer Living
      • Garden Lounging
      • Garden & Outdoor Lighting
    Garden Furniture

    Garden Furniture

    Fire Pits

    Fire Pits

    Garden Planters

    Garden Planters

  • Sale
  • Nkuku Life
    • Please add your email address Nkuku Life
    • About Us
      • Please add your email address About Us
      • Our Story
      • Our Values
      • Travel Journal
      • Sustainability Policy
      • Environmental Policy
      • Charity Partnerships
    • The Art of Making
      • Please add your email address The Art of Making
      • Fair Trade Jewellery
      • Wire Craftwork & Sculpture
      • Metal & Glass Craftwork
      • Traditional Glass Making
      • Sustainable Carpentry
      • View All
    • Our Blog
      • Please add your email address Our Blog
      • How to Style an Outdoor Space
      • Earth Day 2022
      • 5 Ways to Enhance your Garden with Planters
      • Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space
      • All Blog Posts
    • Lifestyle Store
      • Please add your email address Lifestyle Store
      • Visit our Lifestyle Store
      • Our Stockists
      • Gift Cards
      • Competition
    Art of Making

    Art of Making

    About Us

    About Us

    Visit Our Store

    Visit Our Store

  • account icons
Home › our blog › the first chapter
Blog Menu
Recent posts
  • May 27, 2022 How to style an outside space
  • May 25, 2022 Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space
  • April 21, 2022 Earth Day 2022
Blog categories
  • Design tips
  • Interviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Nkuku life
RSS feed

The First Chapter

July 22, 2015

The First Chapter

Our very first Nkuku product was a recycled cotton notebook handmade in Rajasthan. We spent five weeks working closely with the artisans to produce a collection of stationary that we hoped would sell well in the UK. The entire process was as fascinating to us then as it is today. Each piece of paper is handmade from recycled cotton fabric waste, which is gathered from the garment industry. The fabric is ground into a pulp using hand turned machinery. The pulp is combined with a binding agent and carefully layered between muslin sheets to set. Once set the muslin is peeled from either side and the sheet is hung on a clothes line to dry in the heat of the Indian sun. Rows and rows of paper are hung out like laundry on a washing line.

Our first journal had beautiful hand torn edges and was hand bound with cotton thread and then wrapped in a soft leather cover. The textures were gorgeous, the soft leather with the cotton paper made the journal such a tactile piece. We then developed additional and complimentary collections, which were handmade from recycled saris, beautiful rich fabrics that are hand embroidered in traditional Indian styles and more simple designs incorporating the famous skeleton Pepal leaf.



The first order was packed into a container and shipped off to Devon, where several weeks later we guided a lorry loaded with journals down the bumpy drive to the hay barn we were using as our warehouse. A group of neighbours had come to help, varying in age from 75 years old through to 4 years. We are still so incredibly grateful for all the amazing support we received from family and friends, even calling on a local farmer to pull the lorry out of the Devon mud so that he could get home! There were some cold months spent in an unheated barn, picking and packing. Woolly hats and thermals were essential. Our first born baby spent a lot of time in a makeshift cot made from cardboard boxes layered up under blankets.

Our office started out as our bedroom, then we upgraded to a garage (thermals also required!), then a bespoke built office/shed situated in our garden and finally a proper office based at the old mill in Dartington with a new lifestyle store and cafe opening soon! The Nkuku team has also grown from the two of us to a vibrant office of over thirty. The journals were soon joined by photo frames and now offer a selection of homewares and furniture incorporating some of the beautiful pieces that first captured our imaginations all those years ago on our travels.

  • Tag:
  • Nkuku Life
  • Previous Post
  • Next Post
  • Tweet
Recent posts
  • May 27, 2022 How to style an outside space
  • May 25, 2022 Create an Outdoor Entertaining Space
  • April 21, 2022 Earth Day 2022
Blog categories
  • Design tips
  • Interviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Nkuku life
RSS feed

Join Our Newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up for the Nkuku newsletter and be the first to preview our new collections, receive exclusive offers and discover the stories behind our products.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Customers

  • Delivery
  • Returns
  • Help & FAQ's
  • Contact Us
  • Brochure Unsubscribe
  • Refer a Friend

About Nkuku

  • Our Story
  • Sustainability Policy
  • Environmental Policy
  • Careers
  • Press Enquiries

Shopping

  • Nkuku Lifestyle Store
  • Find a Stockist
  • Gift Cards
  • Sale
  • Care Guide
  • Wedding Gift List

Privacy & Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Security
  • Gift Card T&Cs
  • Promotions

Trade

  • Trade Account Login
  • Apply for a Trade Account

Company name: Nkuku Ltd. Registered office: Lower Tweed Mill, Shinners Bridge, Dartington, Devon, TQ9 6JB.
Company registration number: 04614918. VAT number: GB 380 8840 72. Prices include VAT but exclude delivery costs.
Contact number: +44(0)333 240 0155. Contact us online.

  • American Express
  • Visa
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay