So you think you want to makeover your living room. Paint is a non-starter (too messy), wallpaper is out of the question (too time-consuming), and new furniture isn't even an option (too expensive). What's a design-conscious aesthete to do? Look no further than these stylish but exceedingly affordable throw pillows from the brand new site Local + Lejos. Started by world traveler and former retail buyer Sheeva Sairafi, the company specializes in hand-crafted household goods made by artisans across the globe.
For each collection, Local + Lejos collaborates with artisans using methods rooted in tradition yet updated for a modern look. The intricate block-printed throw pillows are perhaps the best examples of that sensibility, crafted by a team of artisans based in Jaipur, India. Available in black, white, and navy and printed on natural cotton using sustainable dyes, the $48-$58 pillows feature a muted palette that serves as a contemporary distillation of the bright hues on display in the colorful serape-style blankets from Guatemala and the hand-woven banana leaf baskets made in Rwanda that are also featured in the company's current line.
In addition to handmade ceramic kitchenware from Mexico, the brand will be unveiling a line of tabletop items in the form of tea towels and napkins, all made by the same group of Jaipur artisans. Look out for them this fall.