October 21, 2020
Home Decor Ideas

Decorating & Design

September 10, 2020

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Sandra Rojas-Chinni, who was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, originally began importing artisanal ceramics to Toronto from her native country when she opened her own store. There, she met Vanessa Yusuf, a frequent customer who soon became a close friend. A trip to Expoartesanias, a design show in Bogota, inspired their new venture: Fique + Clay, an online store of beautiful home goods designed in Toronto and handcrafted in Colombia. When the duo discovered fique, Sandra says, “it was love at first sight.”

Fique is a natural, sustainable and biodegradable fiber hailing from Colombia’s fique plant, which was long used to make coffee bags and potato sacks. “It’s a forgotten product!” says Vanessa. “We turned it into something modern and useful,” adds Sandra. Fique placemats, baskets and rugs are all handmade by artisans in the Andean town of Curiti. Makers in Medellin, meanwhile, craft local clay into big-tummied pitchers, mugs and tableware. Then, everything is shipped to Toronto and sold through the store or retail partners.

Scroll down to learn more about this local shop and discover some of our favorite pieces!

“People assume that everything in Latin America is about bright, saturated colors,” says Sandra, “but I like showing another side of the Latin American aesthetic that’s more like the white and terracotta stucco houses in Cartagena.” The tenderest shade of guava, which makes its way into placemats and pitchers, was inspired by the rocks, sand and minerals of Colombian topography. “I see everything with a washed filter,” says Sandra.
Source: Fique + Clay
Products: Small Rectangular Basket (far right) in Blanco, $86, fiqueandclay.com
Fique + Clay launched at the NY Now trade show in August 2019, where Eataly‘s buyer immediately bought the line for five of the chain’s North American locations. This June, Goop also snapped up a selection for its outpost in Sag Harbor, New York.
Source: Fique + Clay
Products: Tote Baskets in Black, Mostaza, Azul and Terracotta, $157 each, fiqueandclay.com
Enjoying the simple pleasures of dining is at the core of Fique + Clay’s ceramic collection. The crisp white bowls, plates and pitchers have an organic texture, giving each piece a one-of-a-kind feel. Bonus: they’re dishwasher and microwave safe!
Source: Fique + Clay
Products: Cereal Bowls, $62 each, fiqueandclay.com; Dinner Plates, $60 each, fiqueandclay.com
“Everything in our collection is soft, and everything has a curve,” says Sandra, including their hand-woven placemats. Offered in a range of hues, from Guava to Marino and Stone (pictured), these pieces will elevate any seasonal spread.
Source: Fique + Clay
Products: Placemat in Natural, $32, fiqueandclay.com
Whether you’re displaying your most-used kitchen utensils or serving hot apple cider, this porcelain pitcher is perfect for the job — and is just begging to be left out on the counter.
Source: Fique + Clay
Products: Pitcher in Azul, $157, fiqueandclay.com

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