care & fair

This week ecoco will be featured in the newsletter of Go Fair, a Launceston organisation which promotes fair and ethical trade.   Part of the philosophy on which our business is founded was to support fair and ethical trade where possible.

These images are of the Armadillo & Co artisans who are paid above average wages, and are integral to their local communities livelihood.  They are carrying on the tradition of carpet weaving that has been passed down through generations.

Images via Armadillo & Co website

These are our new samples of the pebble weave woollen floor rugs... made by artisans...made to last.

Artisans in South Africa making wonki ware...also paid fairly and integral to their local communities livelihood...

We also stock fair trade and organic cotton clothing from 3fish and fair/organic cotton bed linen.  Only the strongest organically grown cotton plants survive, producing a longer and stronger thread which in turn makes premium quality products. 

Ever wondered why buy organic/fair trade cotton?  This 8 minute documentry, "White Gold, the true cost of cotton," will give some idea of why we should condsider where our cotton and other products we buy come from.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n39T35Ia_4

The Big Unpack

Goodies have been arriving by the truck load this week....

which means loads of unpacking.....

more wonki ware.... pasta bowls, soup bowls and white rectangular platters....

new candles and lots of glassware.....

and a gorgeous new range of 100% wool floor rugs from Armadillo & Co, just in time for the cooler weather!  Oh, and lots of cowhide floor rugs, cushions and an ottoman.

New Stock

This week we are expecting loads of new stock to arrive...

already in are some new cushions and throw rugs...

locally made tea light holders.....

 hand printed tea towels, made by a Tasmanian designer....

cloth  fabrics by the metre, suitable for making cushions, curtains and upholstery.

 

Murobond - Singing Stones

images from home beautiful

Choosing exterior or interior colours for your home or business?  Come in and have a look at the beautiful range of colours and finishes from Murobond.   A favourite is Singing Stones, a Society colour seen on the walls in this gorgeous little courtyard. 

What's New

Watches.....new styles.....

     gorgeous cow hide cushions made locally.......

and the much loved wonki ware pasta bowls.  

More wonki ware arriving this week.

ecoco today

New coffee cups in charcoal and grey. 

New scarves and a restock of some favourites.

More stunning necklaces made in Launceston by Gen Y.

More of the popular elephant note paper boxes arrived today.  Purchases help protect the magnificent endangered elephants of Sri Lanka.

Premium blend and deep conditioning certified organic shampoo is back in stock. 

The beautiful recycled glass grape lights can be used as a table light or wired in as a pendant.

Come in and see what's new this week!

photo frames

We have some light timber and black picture frames in assorted sizes coming soon.  Great for black and white photos or your favourtite colour pictures.   Frames of various sizes and styles grouped together can make an interesting display. 

photos via style files

Renovation Update & Another Search for Light Fittings!

Well I think I am ready for a change.   There is something about that first crisp morning or slightly chilly evening that makes us (Tasmanians) get that cocooning feeling.  Once again we turn our attention to the interiors of our homes, partly because that is where we are about to start spending more time.  

Change for me can now now occur at the shop, as my aim was to change the accent colours and/or a couple of walls each season!!!  Don't think that I am quite up to changing wall colours in the shop just yet, when I really should be painting upstairs this weekend......and next weekend......

as you can see there is plenty of undercoating to do.......

then a couple of top coats...

then the doors and the trim....

then we can give the tiler a hand to finish the bathrooms!!!

Oh and then we could start painting outside!!!  Looking a little too much like Santorini at the moment...

I think it's the blue plastic that's giving it the Greek island feel, but I am feeling the need for colour here somewhere.

See what I mean, oh and gotta love the backyard toilet!!!

Which brings me to the lovely view across the rooftops and backyards towards the hills.  So, if any one reading knows of someone looking for a newly renovated town house to rent in this lovely area of Launceston, send them around with a paintbrush this weekend and they might get cheap rent for a while!!!

Another last minute hunt for light fittings!
Usually the last thing to source when working on a renovation or building project, I think most people have just about had enough of decision making and searching for fittings etc. by the time they get to light fittings. Unless of course you have a speckie, blow the budget, light fitting that influenced the design at the beginning of the project......  like the neo'baroque chandelier......

glamming up this bathroom of Abigail Ahern's

or this porcelain beauty.....

or this mud chandelier from South Africa, which happens to look spectacular in real life...

rest assured we will not be having any budget blowing light fittings.  Will keep you posted on that search...

and since I seem to be doing a bit of a feature on Abigail Ahern, author of A Girl's Guide to Decorating, aren't the colours and textures of her soft furnishings devine.  I am leaning towards a bit of eye popping colour for our next ecoco colour palette.