In Africa, reverence for the majesty of the natural world binds people closely to their surroundings and their own internal sense of meaning. Indoor-outdoor living is a state of mind, a lifestyle and a physical choice of design, where inspiration from the natural world fuels artis and architects to mimic it's forms and actively celebrate its materials.
"Up in this air you breathed easily, drawing in a vital assurance and lightness of heart. In the highlands you woke up in the morning and thought: Here I am, where I ought to be." ― Karen Blixen, Out of Africa
African landscapes are some of the most ecologically diverse and grand on the planet. From vast, rolling red dunes to dramatic oceanside cliffs and seemingly endless savannas, African luxury invites you to bring the raw, magnetic spirit of nature into your own space and celebrate the inspiration that only Mother Earth can offer. From open living spaces with large grounds and wide vistas, to urban lofts and modern city spaces, kanju's African luxury designs offer the perfect, grounding natural elements to imbue soul to the space.
We guarantee each work in our collection is produced by hand in processes utilize local sustainable materials and often traditional production techniques― sustainable pieces from cradle to grave. In honor of Earth Day, celebrate nature with us as we list some eco-friendly facts about a collection of materials that are used in our products.
Cork
Made from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, which can grow in Mediterranean climates for up to for up to 200 years, the material is hand-harvested every nine years without harming the tree. "Due to the regeneration process, the more bark harvested from the tree, the more carbon is absorbed," explains Chelsea Minola in a recent AD Digest article.
Eco-Cotton
Sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, and carbon neutral and can be used without depleting or damaging the environment, thus making it an excellent choice as an environmentally-friendly fiber throughout its entire product life cycle. New technology, such as insect-resistant and drought-resistant varieties, continues to reduce the need for pesticides and water. Read more about the artisan process in creating our cotton punch needle pillows, in our "Handmade with Love" blog.
Merino Wool Felt
Wool is completely biodegradable and a renewable resource. It’s got a long lifespan and is frequently and easily recycled and reused. There is significantly less energy used during wool processing compared with manufacturing man-made fibers. Wool production produces lower carbon dioxide emissions and therefore has a low carbon footprint on the earth and helps to restore a much healthier environment. Read more about the benefits of our hand-felted pieces in a recent blog post.
Blue Gum Wood
Our African sculptures are made by sustainably sourced Blue Gum from tree fellers. This tree is an alien vegetation that propagates and threatens indigenous flora, it is also responsible for the loss of 16% of water resources lost to invasive plants every year. Blue gum is a very sustainable wood to be working with.
"Like a seedling, with sun, good soil, and abundant rain, the roots of our future will bury themselves in the ground and a canopy of hope will reach into the sky.” ― Wangari Maathai
...Read more about this Nobel Peace Prize winner, renowned environmental and human rights activist in a blog post that we posted a while back.
