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We love to bring the outdoors in. Natural elements — from botanicals to woods to earthy shades — lend a sense of calm to a space. And when they have a good story behind them, all the better.

Enter our Makaua Basket Collection, which is handmade from natural palm leaves. The tale of their creation is just as compelling as their appearance; they’re crafted by artisan families in Mexico, who use traditional hand-braiding techniques passed down through generations.

From Past to Present
The art of basketry in Mexico goes as far back as the pre-Hispanic period, pre-dating ceramics and the manipulation of fire. Originally baskets were purely functional; they were used as simple containers for gathering and storing foodstuffs. Today, they are of course appreciated for their decorative aspects, as well as their functionality.

Some 500 families have been involved with and positively impacted by Makaua baskets since they were first made in 2002. It started when Makaua’s founders stumbled upon a palm placemat in a Mexican market. They recognized it was a meaningful discovery and went searching for the people who made it. That was the start of what is now an ever-growing network of artisans devoted to weaving brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Makaua believes in creating beautiful handmade products for the home that represent a story and the person who made it. By adding the element of modern design, they strive to create contemporary pieces that represent and communicate this merging of tradition and timeless simplicity. The company and their pillars are a shining example of what we believe it means to Live In Unison – true connections, simple beauty, excellent quality and an emphasis on the future, making sure we leave behind a healthy planet for the next generations.

A Heartfelt Process
The word Makaua means “hand to hand” or “giving a hand” in the ancient Nahuatl language. It’s a sentiment that speaks to not only the handmade quality of each Makaua product, but also the positive impact the process has on the makers’ quality of life.

The local artisans are responsible for the entire process, including foraging in the hills for the palm leaves, hand-braiding the leaves together, dyeing the braids and sewing them together. No detail is left unattended to. Even small things matter, like making sure the leaves are cut, boiled and left to dry in the sun for 3-4 days after they’re harvested (this makes their texture easier to manipulate).

Most of the construction takes place within the artisans’ homes, where they utilize braiding techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. The type of palm used is unique to these traditions as well. The scientific name for these palms is Brahea Dulcis, but it is also commonly referred to as Blue Rock Palm. Specific to the subtropical climates in Mexico, this natural material is inherently linked to the rich cultural history of Mexican palm basketry. Makaua’s network of artisans not only create beautiful and timeless pieces, but have allowed us to bring a piece of Mexican culture into everyday lives around the world, fostering beautiful connections between people, process and art.

Our Makaua Selection
We work with Makaua to bring you a selection of designs that are form and function — and look truly at home anywhere.

Loma Baskets

Available in 15.75” and 19.5”, these baskets are both strong and functional. Store anything from shoes to throw blankets inside and use the sturdy handles to transport them from room to room. Mix and match the Ochre, Black and Gray banded colors and sizes to set the scene for your modern home.

Round Baskets

Comes in four sizes, from 8” (a catchall for all of life’s little things) up to 14” (for magazines, toys, more) and in Black or Gray. Of course they look good alone as purely decorative pieces; and if you have a variety of sizes, they can neatly nest in each other. This style is neutral on the inside and has a dyed outer band — which adds that element of modern boldness.

Storage Baskets With Lids

Available in 13” and 14.75” – the two sizes nest in each other. Whether you choose the Black or Gray, take advantage of the lid and keep what you’re stashing out of sight. Outfit the entire room and add the matching Waste Basket and Large Hamper.

Natural Nido Basket

“Nido” means “nest” in Spanish. Consider the Natural Nido Basket your safe place for just about anything — and take advantage of the leather handle for easy portability. Make it a set with the Natural Tall Floor Basket.

Round Placemats

Great for an outdoor dinner party, as well as everyday meals. The circular breaks convention and adds interest, as does the texture of the hand-braided weave. Available in Black or Gray.

Shop our entire collection of Makaua items here.

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One of the pillars of Unison is sustainability, so naturally we are invested in finding products that are not only good for our customers, but also good for the environment. We want you to be able to rest easy knowing your bedding complements your modern home and doesn’t harm Mother Nature in the process. Hemp offers the perfect solution for bedding that looks beautiful, feels soft and is earth-friendly.

At Unison, we love products that are multifaceted and can be used season after season, year after year. One of the many reasons we chose hemp for our Natural Bedding Essentials is that it’s breathable and designed for year-round use, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Our Ivory Hemp Bedding Collection is crafted in Portugal from 100% hemp and is Oeko-Tex® certified, meaning you can buy with confidence knowing that the collection is safe from harmful substances. It’s also piece-dyed and garment washed, so it’s already incredibly soft when it arrives at your home.

Hemp has been used as a fabric for thousands of years thanks to its durability and breathability. The fabric was used for everything from ship sails to the first blue jeans, but its versatility goes beyond that – hemp pulp can be used to make paper, hemp fiber can be mixed with other materials to make building supplies and even car manufacturers have started using hemp composites in their cars.

What Is Hemp

The hemp plant, or Cannabis sativa, boasts a multitude of benefits for farmers and the environment as a whole. It is naturally resistant to most pests, eliminating the need for excessive pesticides, herbicides or fungicides. Hemp grows in a variety of climates and soil types and can be planted in tight spacing, using approximately half as much land as a plant like cotton needs, and with about half the water.

Because of the damage crops do to the soil, farmers often have to implement a fallow period after harvests – a period of time in which they don’t plant new seeds and allow the soil to recover. Unlike most crops, hemp actually improves the health of soil and absorbs CO2 while it grows, meaning farmers don’t have to use a fallow period and can plant immediately after the hemp harvest. These fascinating plants are carbon negative from day one and a natural way to clean up soil pollution.

About The Fabric

Once hemp is harvested, the outer layers are made into fibers that are woven into textiles. This fabric is light, durable, breathable and antimicrobial. Its drape and feel are comparable to linen, which is made from flax fibers. Its sustainable and versatile nature make it a timeless choice that fits easily into any home.

Because we strive to make our products as safe as possible, Unison’s hemp is also OEKO-TEX® certified. OEKO-TEX® certified is a guarantee that the product you’re buying does not contain any harmful substances. No matter where you are in the world when you see a label with OEKO-TEX® on it, you can buy with confidence knowing that the item is safe for you and your loved ones.

Read More About OEKO-TEX® And Unison’s Certified Products Here

The Ivory Hemp Duvet Cover is reversible and features ties in each corner and hidden buttons to keep your insert where it should be. For a monochrome look, pair the duvet with Ivory Hemp Sheets and Pillowcases, which are designed with a side opening and interior panel to keep your pillow tucked inside. Or mix and match with other items in our Natural Bedding Essentials, like the White Linen Sheets or Burgundy Chambray Pillowcase Set.

With its soft, eco-friendly qualities, falling asleep wrapped in our Ivory Hemp Bedding is easy – it’s getting out of bed in the morning that might be difficult.

Shop The Ivory Hemp Bedding Collection

A beautiful basket offers a bit of warm and natural texture to any space. It can also be a saving grace at keeping clutter out of sight. Attractive and functional — a handwoven basket is an understated necessity of the modern home.

Not all baskets are created equally, but that’s why we love KAZI’s fair trade baskets so much. Each one contains a story. The tale of a craftsperson, their family, and their community is woven into every piece. KAZI’s mission focuses on three pillars: fair wage jobs, sustainability and high-quality craftsmanship.

These align perfectly with our values here at Unison. We believe that good design is about more than looks. The way a company treats its workers and the environment is as important to us as the design and durability of a product.

Great design tells a story. And that’s why we share so many behind-the-scenes tales of how our products come to life. So let’s take a look at our collection of KAZI handmade baskets.

Modern Fair Trade Baskets

Our custom collection of Terrazzo bowls and trays were designed through a collaboration with KAZI. This collection draws its name and inspiration from the stone composite typically found in flooring. Terrazzo can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt, but it’s most well-known as an Italian design import. The mosaic-like pattern that was once relegated to floors and countertops is now the distinctive detail of a handwoven basket. We love the bold, graphic pattern in contrasting black and neutral colors. The juxtaposition of the earthy raffia palm leaves dyed and woven into a terrazzo design is what makes this collection so captivating.

The Terrazzo Raffia Bowls are available in 12-inch and 24-inch diameters and two colorways. Upgrade your fruit basket or add one to the middle of your dining table for a centerpiece that speaks volumes. Functional and attractive, the Terrazzo Raffia Trays are offered in 17-inch and 27-inch diameters, so you’ll find a fit for any room. Place one on your coffee table to corral your living room essentials or bring one into your guest bath to make it feel like a 5-star retreat. All our Terrazzo fair trade baskets have a loop for hanging — making it easy to display them as wall art too.

Our Raffia Black Storage Basket with Lid makes your space neat and tidy while still keeping all your essentials within reach. This fair trade basket is available in two sizes, so you’ll find one to suit your space and storage needs. Because of the hand-weaving process, each basket is one of a kind with subtle variations in size and color

Our collection of KAZI fair trade baskets are all handwoven by artisans in Uganda. Not only are they high-quality, functional pieces of art — but each one provides a fair-paying job to a craftsperson from an underserved community.

Thoughtfully Designed with a Purpose

In Swahili, the word “kazi” means employment, jobs or source of income. Since its founding in 2013, KAZI has provided jobs for more than 3,600 artisans from Uganda, Ghana and Rwanda. The company doesn’t just measure success by the number of products sold or revenue generated, they also focus on the impact made by creating jobs for artisans in rural African communities.

A mother of seven, one artist who has shared her story of working with KAZI is Seraphine. Not only does the money she makes help her to feed and educate her children, but she’s also contributing to her local economy. When you buy a fair trade basket you’re helping people like Seraphine provide a higher quality of life for her family and community at large.

Craftspeople who work with KAZI can earn up to five times more for their products than by selling at their local markets. Entire villages enjoy this increase in profit. KAZI basket weavers have more money to spend at restaurants, vendors and other merchants. With an influx of money circulating, the whole community benefits when you buy one of our KAZI fair trade baskets.

Sustainability Meets Time-Tested Craftsmanship

Many of the men and women who weave baskets for KAZI have been honing their craft for years. Traditional basket weaving techniques are passed down from generation to generation. The resulting baskets are of the highest quality. They’re made for daily use and designed to last. Sustainability is a major focus for KAZI too. Our KAZI baskets are made from natural raffia palm and banana leaves. They’re harvested locally and sustainably by the weavers and their employees. If dyed, they use organic materials to color the natural fibers.

Once the leaves have been collected, a labor-intensive process of stripping the fibers from the leaves begins. The fibers are then cleaned and dyed. Teams of weavers will join together to dye their materials at the same time, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

The construction of the baskets is an intricate process. It requires skill, patience and dedication. The dyed fibers are wrapped around bundles of sweetgrass and secured into a coil. Patterns and design variations are achieved by switching between different colors of fiber. The finished basket is truly a work of art, ready to hang on the wall or be used for storage.

Changing Lives & Changing The World

Once you learn how it’s made, a handwoven basket is no longer just a basket. It holds the story of the artisan who crafted it, their family and their community. Bring a piece of this story into your home with a Terrazzo Raffia Bowl, Tray or Black Storage Basket with Lid.

When you see your fair trade basket on your coffee table or hanging over your sofa, you’ll remember the impact you’ve made with your purchase. You can feel good supporting communities in Uganda. When you admire your KAZI basket, you’ll know you’re now a part of a story that’s changing the world for the better.

Shop our collection of KAZI Baskets, Bowls and Trays.

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At Unison, we believe the sheets we sleep on and the towels we wrap ourselves in should be good for you and the environment. Plain and simple. That’s why all our signature bedding and bath textiles are Oeko-Tex® certified.

Quality is one of our founding pillars here at Unison. We’re always striving to bring you the best in modern design — and that means offering products that are safe and healthy for you and our planet. Since we first launched back in 2006, providing high-quality Oeko-Tex® certified towels and bedding has been a top priority. When you shop with Unison, you can buy confidently knowing we only offer high-quality, bed and bath textiles that are free from harmful chemicals.

We can all agree that what goes into our bodies is important for our well-being. From organic vegetables to fair trade certified coffee beans, eating healthy food is good for us. There is a lot of focus on what we consume, but health and wellness are about more than what you ate for breakfast. It can be easy to forget that our skin, our largest organ, also plays a significant role in our overall health. Our skin is sensitive and easily absorbs whatever it comes into contact with. It reacts to changes in the weather and the products you use around your home. What we put on and near our bodies — can have a lasting impact on our health and longevity.

Food manufacturers have been putting labels on their products for centuries. These labels let the consumer know how a crop was grown, an item’s ingredients, nutrition facts and allergen warnings. These labels help us make informed decisions about what we eat. However, clothing, bedding, bath and other textiles are sometimes not labeled as thoroughly — even though they can affect us just as much as food. Luckily, the Oeko-Tex® certification process has been quietly changing the industry for almost 30 years. Today it’s a sign of trust and safety.

Classic or Graphic: Oeko-Tex® Certified Towels & Bedding
Unison’s signature towels are non-toxic and some of the softest ones you can find. Our Logan towels are available in classic White, Graphite and Oatmeal. These 100% organic cotton towels are also Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, which means they meet rigorous requirements for organic textiles. Including the harvesting of raw materials, environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, and product labeling for consumer assurance.

If bold, graphic patterns are more your style opt for the Stitch or Mini Grid towels. Each collection offers towels in four versatile sizes which include the bath sheet, bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth. Our coordinating shower curtains are Oeko-Tex® certified too.

Our collection of Oeko-Tex® certified sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers give you endless options for a bedroom refresh. Choose a subtle shade of color to keep things simple. Or grab one of our striking graphic sheet sets and a matching duvet cover to bring the perfect touch of minimal sophistication to your sleeping quarters.

You may have seen the Oeko-Tex® certified labels and wondered what exactly they mean. Once you learn more about the strict certification process behind our products, we know you’ll love them even more.

What is Oeko-Tex® Certified?
Oeko-Tex® is a registered trademark of the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology — which also calls itself Oeko-Tex®. Oeko-Tex® was founded in 1992 with its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. It was created as a response to the increased demand for a standard way to ensure products were free from harmful chemicals. Today it’s a powerful network of laboratories all around the world, each testing and certifying textiles to a rigid set of quality standards. While it would be incredible if we could regulate every countries’ fabric safety requirements, trusting in Oeko-Tex® third-party testing is the next best thing.

Oeko-Tex® certified is a guarantee that the product you’re buying does not contain any harmful substances. No matter where you are in the world when you see a label with Oeko-Tex® on it, you can buy with confidence knowing that the item is safe for you and your loved ones.

What is the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100?
At Unison all of our signature bath and bedding textiles are certified to Oeko-Tex® 100 standards. When you see the Standard 100 label on our products you can trust you’re getting a product that’s free from harsh chemicals, pesticides, harmful dyes and heavy metals.

The Standard 100 label includes every piece and component of a product. Take our Oeko-Tex® certified sheets and towels for example. Every part of that towel or bed sheet has passed detailed testing standards. From the tiny threads binding the edges of a washcloth to the elastic corners of a fitted sheet — the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certification process is incredibly thorough.

During the certification process, laboratory tests are conducted to ensure our bed and bath textiles are free from:
– Acidic chemicals
– Pesticides
– Heavy metals
– Carcinogenic dyes
– Allergens
– Chlorine
– Formaldehyde
– Phthalates
– Asbestos
– And many other substances that can be harmful to humans and the environment.

The guidelines for the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 are reviewed, updated and expanded every year. There are four classes of products for the Standard 100 label. Our Unison signature bedding and bath textiles are tested to Oeko-Tex® 100 Class 2: articles used close to the skin. Working with Oeko-Tex® to certify our textile products is just another way we’re helping to bring clean and modern beauty into your home.

Rest Easy with Unison
Sleep in this weekend and recharge on our Oeko-Tex® certified sheets. Or spend a few extra minutes wrapped in one of our Oeko-Tex® certified towels after an invigorating shower. We want you to relax knowing your Unison towels and bedding are free from harmful substances, so we can all live well together.

Shop Our Collection of Oeko-Tex® Certified Towels and Bedding

 

 

Stub Stackable Glasses have been gracing tabletops for almost 70 years. The designers of these innovative glasses didn’t set out to create an award-winning, modern interpretation of drinkware. They simply wanted to make a better glass.

An object can transcend time when a designer is willing to take a risk and push the limits of what is currently in fashion. When it comes to practical, everyday items, attractiveness is a by-product of exceptional design. Grethe Meyer, one of the designers of the Stub Glasses, puts it best, “they should be straightforward, easy, and pleasant to use and as simple and anonymous as possible. From these characteristics, I think, beauty can arise.”

The Stub Glassware collection is a classic case of functional product improvement turned timeless design. For 70 years, these glasses have been a part of celebrations and daily meals across the globe. They bring a rich history of award-winning Danish design to the Unison catalog.

Get to Know the Stub Glasses

The Stub Stackable Glasses serve understated sophistication to your favorite drinks and desserts. They’re a stunning example of mid-century Scandinavian design that still feels exciting today. These glasses are available in three sizes, each with a variety of uses.

The Low Glasses are designed for sipping champagne, but they’re not just for celebrations. Use one as a dessert bowl whenever you satisfy your sweet tooth. A scoop of ice cream or a decadent chocolate pastry is even more appealing served in this exquisite champagne glass. Each set includes four stackable glasses. Their low profile takes up minimal cupboard space and makes them easy to store.

Pour an ale or lager into one of the Tall Glasses to enjoy the sight of its bubbly texture and rich amber hue. Each one has a capacity of just over twelve ounces, so your favorite brew has a new favorite glass. Stay hydrated and use these glasses as still or sparkling water goblets during dinner parties. The Tall Glasses are stackable and come in a set of two.

The most versatile glasses in the collection are the Medium Glasses. Their short stem and wide bowl offer handmade cocktails a little something extra. Enjoy fresh juice in the morning or wine with dinner. Like the others, these glasses are easy to clean and store. Each set comes with four stackable glasses.

Crafted in Denmark, these glasses come packaged in a stylish cylinder. Thanks to the thoughtful presentation they make a great gift for any modern-design lover. Keep a few sets on hand and you’ll always have the perfect holiday, host, or housewarming gift at the ready. Every Stub Glass is stackable and takes up minimal cupboard space. Plus they’re dishwasher safe, so there’s no reason to not use them every day — which is exactly what the designers had in mind 70 years ago.


Changing Dinner Rituals

The way we eat dinner has changed a lot since the 1950s. At the start of the decade it was a formal affair, but as time passed many families began to adopt more casual mealtime rituals. Weekday meals were eaten in the kitchen, while the dining room was reserved for Saturday evening dinner parties. Fancy china was replaced with practical, easy to clean dinnerware.

The designers of the Stub Glass wanted to create a glassware collection that could be used at formal dinners and casual meals alike. High-quality, carefully crafted stemware that was ultra usable and elevated the dining experience. Most drinking glasses are designed that way today, but back in the 1950s, it was up to two Danish women to push the industry forward.


Remarkable Danish Design

Denmark has contributed much to the Scandinavian design movement that began in the 1950s. This distinctive style emphasizes clean lines, minimalism and beautiful functionality. Because of the simple nature of Scandinavian design, most of what was created back then still feels current and ageless in our modern world. Grethe Meyer and Ibi Trier Mørch are architects and the designers of the Stub Glasses. This collaboration inspired many other glassware designers to embrace usability and versatility as pillars of their own work. Casual, multifunctional glassware was relatively unheard of in the 1950s. The low stem, straight sides and stackability of the Stub Glasses were revolutionary back then, yet still feel fresh and current today.

With an affinity for classic, simple and functional designs, Grethe Meyer has left a lasting legacy on Scandinavian Design. She is considered one of the pioneers of Danish industrial design. She also designed ceramics in addition to glassware and focused her work on serving her customers. A drive to create high-quality items that everyone could afford is built into everything she created.

In 1997 she won the Danish Design Award Council’s annual prize and shared a poetic take on her design process. “Mostly I meet new tasks by trying to build on earlier inspirations and ideals, improving them, and where needed, bringing their qualities up to date, while preserving, what I think is important, namely that the design must be uncomplicated, and the product easy and comfortable to use, and as simple and anonymous as possible in the expression of its properties.” She continued, “In this way, I think that beauty will present itself, – a beauty that gives the people who are using the product a natural pleasure, a pleasure that preferably grows stronger the more the product is used.”

The Stub Glasses were a beauty 70 years ago and continue to shine today. In 2019, the collection was nominated for a Design Award under the category “Comeback of The Year.” As its creator foreshadowed, this collection has brought pleasure to many and continues to grow stronger year after year.

Shop Stub Stackable Glasses

Family heirlooms are some of the most treasured items we own. Whether it’s your great-grandfather’s watch or your aunt’s beloved rocking chair, these are the things that remind us of who we are and where we come from.

But not all heirlooms are created equally. Quality craftsmanship is important for an item to last for decades or even centuries. Heirlooms can be useful and functional or entirely symbolic. It’s not always easy to find new premium heirlooms to bring into your family. While many companies may take shortcuts and use inferior materials, there’s one that has been producing heirloom-quality blankets for generations.

The Faribault Woolen Mill Company was established nearly 150 years ago. Founded in 1865 on the banks of the Cannon River in Faribault, Minnesota — this company has had its fair share of ups and downs. But just like a treasured heirloom, the Faribault Mill has stood the test of time. Faribault wool blankets represent everything there is to admire about a family business creating high-quality products in the USA. With a range of styles and colors, you’ll find the perfect one for your home.

Heirloom Blankets to Cherish for Generations

We’re excited to introduce the Buffalo Check Throw Blanket to our collection. It’s made from 100% Merino virgin wool in the same tradition that Faribault has used since the mid-1800s. This timeless, super-soft throw is machine washable, so you can use it every day. And, it’s available in two colorways: the Blue and Black Throw adds just the right amount of color to a minimal space. Or, choose the White and Black Throw to lay over the back of your sofa or reading chair for a graphic impact.

For a more modern take on a classic, we’re offering the Reversible Framed Stripe Throw Blanket. Creamy ivory and heathered gray stripes of various sizes create an understated pattern that looks great in any space. The pattern reverses on the opposite side, so you can choose the look that best suits your home. This blanket is made from a wool and cotton blend and features whipstitching detail along the edges.

All our Faribault wool blankets make great gifts. Give someone you care about the gift of comfort and heirloom quality. These blankets help create the lasting memories that come with impromptu picnics, fireside storytelling or cheering on your team. When you give the gift of a Faribault blanket, you’re passing along nearly 150 years of superior wool craftsmanship. The Faribault Woolen Mill Company has a rich history that parallels the United States’ own ups and downs.

The Faribault Mill: Weaving American History

Back in the 1860s, the first machines at Faribault were powered by horses. At that time, the Mill exclusively turned raw wool into batting — which would then be spun into the yarn used to weave blankets at another location. Faribault first began producing its own line of wool blankets at the Mill in 1872.

By the start of the First World War, the Faribault Woolen Mill Company had established itself as one of the top manufacturers of wool products in the country. With the onset of the war, life changed for all Americans — including the Mill. Stepping up production to meet demand, the Mill manufactured over 100,000 blankets for the Army. During World War II the Mill produced hundreds of thousands of blankets and sleeping bags for the military, solidifying its place in American history.

Over the next 70+ years, Faribault wool blankets became a shining symbol of the high-quality products that American family-run businesses produce. They pushed the industry forward by advocating for American manufacturers across the country and engineering new types of wool. The Mill was the first to introduce moth-proof and washable wool blankets to the market. Embracing the family values and commitment to quality that the Faribault name is built upon, the company has a bright vision for the future. With a forward-thinking approach that honors its past, The Faribault Woolen Mill Company is looking ahead to the next 150 years.

How Faribault Wool Blankets Are Made

The process for making Faribault wool blankets hasn’t changed much since the Mill was founded. Technology has improved, but the classic methods used to weave wool remain unchanged. Each blanket starts its life as raw wool — straight off the sheep. The bales of wool are then dyed and carded. The carding machine blends the wool together (sometimes with other materials — like cotton), straightens it, then twists it into loose strands. Those strands are then pulled, twisted again, and spun to create a strong and durable yarn. Fabric is created by weaving the yarn together at opposing angles. This fabric is then made into blankets, sweaters, scarves, and more.

Why Choose Wool?

Wool is an all-natural, renewable resource that has been used in textiles for centuries. Not only is it easy to recycle into new blankets and throws, but wool is also biodegradable. Leave it to Minnesotans in the age before central heating to create the highest quality blankets around. The amazing thing about wool is that it reacts to your body temperature. It will keep you warm when you’re cold and help cool your body in the summer months. Wool is breathable and feels great on your skin.

The Faribault Mill’s story parallels the change in what American consumers are buying these days. Now more than ever, we’ve come to appreciate the quality and detail that goes into well-made items. And there is no better example of that than Faribault wool blankets. Whether you’re looking for a blanket that can be passed down for generations — or simply a stunning throw for the back of your sofa, Faribault wool blankets will leave a lasting impression.

Art is everywhere, it is what tells the story of our culture and how we live. Not all art must hang on a wall or hide under glass. Art can consist of practical, everyday items meant to be used.

One artist who has embraced the idea of functionality in his work is Nobuhito Nishigawara. He’s a sculptural artist, educator, and the visionary behind W/R/F. His rich background and varied experience are what make his work so compelling. Not only does he build thought-provoking sculptural ceramic pieces found in galleries across the country, but he’s also using his talent to create distinctive dinnerware.

At Unison, we’re proud to offer you the Thrown Collection from W/R/F. Artistry and usability combine to form these thoughtfully designed pieces. Filled with clean lines and characteristics inspired by handmade pottery, this Japanese ceramic dinnerware collection deserves a closer look.

The Thrown Collection: Japanese Ceramic Dinnerware

Every piece in the Thrown Collection is one of a kind. Hand-thrown on the pottery wheel, each bowl, plate, and vase captures the delicate details of the ceramic-making process. Slight imperfections only add character and texture to this durable dinnerware.

There’s a plate or bowl for every need. Each style comes in three sizes and they’re sold individually so you can choose the best ones for your kitchen. The Plates have slightly tapered sides and a rounded rim, which elevates a typically simple item. The shape of the Flat Bowls makes them highly-functional and great for serving. The Round Plates with their wide, sloped sides are the perfect bowl and plate hybrid — perfect for saucy dishes. Complete your tabletop with one of the Thrown Vases. The simple style of the Vases make them the perfect spot to display floral greens, or you can use them as a minimal utensil holder.

These pieces are available in black or white. The black gloss glaze has a slight iridescent shimmer that beautifully reflects light. In white, the gloss glaze is clean and bright. A unique detail of the Thrown Collection is the raw natural matte clay left exposed on the bottom of each piece. It offers distinctive contrast on the black glazed dishes while the detail is more subtle against the white glaze. W/R/F fires passion and precision into every piece of ceramic that comes out of their kiln. When you bring one of these items into your home, it’s more than a dish or vase. It’s a handcrafted object that holds a story. So let’s get to know more about W/R/F and the artist behind it all.

Nobuhito Nishigawara

Nobuhito “Nobu” Nishigawara was born in Nagoya, Japan and took his first ceramics class as a child. He grew up near the Seto region which is famous for its rich history of pottery and ceramics, dating back over one thousand years. While he was surrounded by the craft growing up, it wasn’t the direct reason for his career choice.

He didn’t formally study ceramics until moving to Canada as a young adult. He enrolled in a class at Frazier Valley Community College and a professor there inspired him to start taking his craft seriously. He then transferred to Kansas City Art Institute to continue his studies, that’s where his career as an artist began. Nobu’s sculptural ceramic art has been shown all over the country and has been featured in major exhibitions at galleries and museums alike. He’s currently a professor and the Head of the Ceramics Department at California State University, Fullerton.

From Artist to Entrepreneur

Nobu’s first set of Japanese ceramic dinnerware was a gift for his wife. Using his work at home inspired him to design functional and resilient pieces that could stand up to daily use. From there he began to produce dinnerware under his company W/R/F. The initials stand for West River Field, the English translation of Nobu’s last name, Nishigawara.

All the work at W/R/F is based on the Japanese philosophy of Mingei crafts. Mingei means “the art of the people.” It’s a type of folk art that emphasizes functional pieces made “by the people, for the people.” Mingei theory celebrates the supreme beauty found in handmade objects, designed for everyday use, by craftsmen working to earn a living. Nobu shared his vision for the company with us, “I believe the pieces we make are not special occasion pieces, rather they’re to be used daily.”

The simple aesthetic of Nobu’s work combined with the details that come from handmade pottery result in something truly special. W/R/F dinnerware adds to the experience of enjoying a delicious meal. It doesn’t overpower or take center stage. It enhances whatever is served on it. As Nobu says, “It is important to me that the dinnerware is a harmonious addition to a table setting.”
Usability and practicality are also a big focus for Nobu. “This aspect of design is the primary inspiration for my work. I look at how an object is used and how it functions in a home.”

Every single piece that W/R/F makes is one of a kind. They’re all hand-thrown and hand-trimmed, featuring beautiful details that only come from such careful craftsmanship. It’s the perfect balance of producing consistent quality products without losing the textural characteristics of handmade pieces.Not surprisingly, Nobu’s favorite part of the ceramic making process is the end. “Opening a glaze kiln to see the finished pieces is always my favorite part. There are so many variables in ceramics. After the final firing is when I know that a piece is complete. It’s always rewarding when a kiln is filled with successful pieces.”

We’re happy to share W/R/F’s pieces with you. At first glance, each item appears to be a simple, everyday object. On the second look, exceptional details catch the eye. With daily use, the remarkable functionality of the Thrown Collection becomes clear. Bring this artistically inspired dinnerware into your home and turn every meal into a special occasion.

Shop The Thrown Collection

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Over the years, Philadelphia-based studio Edgewood Made has carved out a niche in modern design that we’re thrilled to support. So far, we’ve been charmed by their work in wood, from minimally geometric wall mirrors to nature-inspired serving boards. But as you’ll soon see, this studio is capable of so much more.

Never confined to any one process or material, Edgewood Made carries their unique organic aesthetic and contemporary designs across mediums and into more and more people’s lives. And we’re excited to bring some of their ceramic goods to the table.

From Woods To Workshop
Since 2012, Edgewood Made has been a labor of love for founders David Short and George Dubinsky. They first met as students at the School for American Crafts at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where they bonded over a shared propensity for humble designs featuring clean and natural lines.

As fate would have it, their partnership was further crystalized when an organized trek into the woods was nearly cancelled due to freezing weather and David and George were the only two who showed. It’s that willingness to show up, respect the elements, and find beauty in the journey that guides their work and makes them a natural pair. Ever since, they’ve applied their craftsmanship across a wide spectrum of furniture and home goods — and the world has taken notice. Moved by the belief that well-made, modern designs belong every aspect of life in the home, they’ve made a name for themselves where natural patterns and simple function collide.

These days, they’re working with a small team of artists and makers out of a new, spacious studio in Philly’s historic Germantown. They earned a sought-after spot in last year’s Architectural Digest’s Design Show, and recently completed a large commission for custom furniture and serveware at a local contemporary restaurant. But as they continue to grow, one thing that hasn’t changed is Edgewood Made’s attention and commitment to craftsmanship, textural detail, naturally-derived patterns and shapes.

Earthy, Elemental Design
When we spoke with David and George back in 2017 (in an article titled The Natural Artistry of Edgewood Made), they started by sharing their philosophy with us. Simply put, they trace “nature as inspiration and manufacturing as medium.”

At once open-ended and deeply instructive, it’s this vital intersection that drives their design and reverberates throughout their process, which always begins with a sketch. Next, high-quality, low impact materials are selected to best suit the design. In the case of their furniture, that means sourcing locally grown and sustainably harvested hardwoods like walnut, cherry, white oak, and ash from western Pennsylvania. When it comes to their ceramic home goods, it means finding premium porcelain clay that’s durable, versatile, and looks equally polished glazed as it does unfinished.

Eventually, designs are carved into wood by hand or by way of a computer-controlled milling machine. And for their tableware and other ceramic creations, they save time on production by making molds from those carvings and slip-casting each piece—the most efficient way to scale without losing any elemental human-made intimacy.

So much of Edgewood Made’s aesthetic language relies on that process, and it’s clear they take pride in the kind of technical precision that’s applied to the raw materials that pass through their studio. It’s a perfect reflection of that interplay between nature and manufacturing, objects made by hand and technology. And the result is their trademark small-batch, thoughtfully-crafted, organic beauty.

Edgewood Made Ceramics
We’ve already mentioned those modern wood-framed mirrors and uniquely angled cutting boards that caught our attention in the first place, but we’re happy to announce that the folks at Edgewood Made also want to bring a little artistry to our tabletops.

Introducing the understated and endlessly versatile Marcy Charcoal Nesting Bowls. This functional and thoughtfully tidy five-piece set is a stellar example of what can happen when high-quality, durable materials are combined with truly timeless design.

Thoughtfully proportioned and artful in balance, these ceramic nesting bowls look just as beautiful scattered as they do when they’re gathered. They offer ample space and somehow still feel airy. They almost seem to float, thanks to their wide circular rims and minimal foot detail, effortlessly woven into the whole.

Each piece is made in porcelain with a raw, but neatly finished matte exterior and an inner glaze that’s lovely in contrast and makes the full set shine. And, because function is just as essential as form, we’re grateful for the glossy interior—it’s food-safe, easy to clean, and feels equally suited to formal occasions and casual kitchen use.

Versatile By Nature
In these ceramic nesting bowls, Edgewood Made has given us a vessel for just about anything. With 14.5-inch diameter, the largest size invites you to dream big. Fill it with a hearty, hand-tossed salad or family-style main dish.

Use the next few for pasta, dinner rolls, or a colorful vegetable side. The smallest of the bunch are perfect for pre-dinner snacks from olives and nuts to oils and dips, and make for truly lovely mise-en-place with grated parm or fresh-cut herbs. Then, think beyond mealtime. Grab your largest and let fresh produce swim in that deep and glossy charcoal sea. Or park a smaller bowl by the door for change and keys. No matter how you use them, these versatile beauties are ready to become a functional part of your everyday life.

For a while, we’ve carried these ceramic nesting bowls in Charcoal, a color that feels both dusky and warm, soft and refined. And now, we’re happy to introduce a few additional colors, including the clean and classic Ivory White, and more earthy Sage Gray and Woodland Beige. It’s safe to say that the organic ease of these designs resonates in every color and are bound to last a lifetime.

This five-piece set feels practical, timeless, and inspired by something greater. It’s a combination we’ve learned to expect from our friends at Edgewood Made, whose furniture and home goods alike are a testament to their earth-inspired, process-driven philosophy. And in the same way that nature can be a much-needed reprieve from everyday life, their quiet designs cut through the noise and bring a little calm inside.

Shop all of our Edgewood Made pieces.

Concrete has long been revered for its versatility and strength, from some of its earliest known applications in ancient Egypt and Rome to its more contemporary function in modern infrastructure, architecture, and beyond. But today’s artists and makers are bringing a whole new level of craftsmanship and imagination to the material—blurring the boundaries between industrial and organic form in endlessly interesting ways.

Alice Tacheny has mastered the art of making durable feel delicate as she coaxes concrete into subtly structured, graceful designs. Drawing on inspiration from travel, the natural world, and her artful upbringing, she honors the long history of this enduring and timeless medium with pieces that feel entirely new. We’re delighted to partner with Alice and share her unique aesthetic, talent and concrete vessels with you.

Crafting with Concrete

Over the years, Alice Tacheny’s body of work and mastery of medium has stretched across a variety of familiar materials—from wood and brass to leather and concrete. But it’s this last that we’re excited to share with you, starting with the artisanal and elemental Phases Black and White Platter.

This platter feels industrial, and yet the subtle curves of this design and the organic lines between black and white somehow rival the warmth of more natural materials—live-edge walnut and clay come to mind.

On Instagram, she calls this piece “the super moon of the tray world” and it’s easy to see that inspiration in the minimal, crescent-like layers at its edges. This platter was made to be touched, contemplated, and put to use, so make it a countertop staple with fresh fruit or a smattering of your most-used salts and spices, or pull it out for your next party and top it artfully with appetizers or aperitifs.

Concrete Trays: One-of-a-Kind Designs

In this collection, Alice Tacheny has captured a kind of classic, concrete cool that’s worth celebrating. The slim, geometric structures she’s crafted feel at once relaxed and refined, streamlined and texturally rich. It’s those unexpected combinations that make these objects such a delight, but how do they come to life?

The process begins and ends in her Bay Area studio, first by experimenting with form in wood, plaster or clay. Final designs are made into silicone molds and eventually cast in concrete. In the case of the multi-colored pieces, concrete is poured into the molds by hand at the same time. The two colors always come together in a new, and totally different way, producing infinite variations of the same design. The result is that every piece has its own unique pattern where the colors meld; each object is one-of-a-kind.

Sculptural Platters and Plates

Adding a little of that trademark authenticity to your tabletop is a great way to enhance any serveware collection, and Alice Tacheny’s Slab Platter fits the bill. The variations in pattern add depth and character to each piece, and that unmistakably handmade element works well in contrast to the clear-cut, geometric shape of this particular design.

Classic, contemporary, and interesting in its own right, this concrete tray looks equally lovely unadorned as it does piled with snacks to serve. Let it complement some beautifully arranged charcuterie or crudité, without detracting from the contents.

For smaller servings and accoutrements, try the Slab Black and White Plate. It’s the perfect size for a mini baguette or a half a dozen oysters. Beyond the dining room, try it as a bedside phone-charging station or as a simple backdrop for your favorite candle, vase, or potted plant—when functionality is built into the design, the possibilities are endless.

A Shape for Every Space

Looking for something with a higher profile? Alice Tacheny rounds out this line with the thoughtfully crafted and incredibly versatile Concrete Black and White Caddy. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin Civic Center, the curves and symmetry of this vessel mirror the organic rhythm and repetition of the arches found on that iconic exterior. And in the same way Wright’s architecture seeks to create harmony within the larger landscape, the soft edges and sculptural ease of Tacheny’s caddy make it a natural complement to any surface.

Also available in Ore and Straw, use this vessel as a catchall for household items to keep your surfaces free of clutter. Place it sink-side and use it as a holder for cotton swabs, a toothbrush, soap dispenser, etc. Give it a home on your desk and fill it with pens, pencils, and maybe even a small succulent.

Concrete looks especially striking as a backdrop for organic materials from plants to fresh produce, so this caddy makes sense in the kitchen too. In this case, the two-sided design makes it the ideal vessel for decadent snacks like pistachios, olives, and cherries—one side for your snacks and the other for shells and pits.

Timeless, Tactile Beauty

Finally, the Fade To Black Cori Bowls are the perfect versatile capstone to this collection of serve pieces. They’re all completely food-safe and are best preserved when hand-washed with a minimally abrasive sponge or cloth. Concrete may be best known for its simplicity and clarity in form, but part of its charm comes from its rich texture and tactile quality. Its surface is as lovely to feel as it is to look at, and just as we expect fine leather, wood, or metal objects to show wear-and-tear with use, these concrete pieces show their character in a patina that develops over time.

In an interview with SFGATE, Alice Tacheny makes a case for embracing that natural change: “I like making beautiful things, but I don’t think they should ever be too precious to be used every day. The more you imprint your daily use into it, the more interesting and compelling it becomes—oil stains, coffee mug rings, scratches—just embrace it. Perfection is an allusion.”

So put these exquisite concrete trays and vessels to good use in your home and watch as they evolve alongside you. We all deserve to experience a little beauty in function and, on that, these pieces more than deliver.

Shop the Alice Tacheny Collection.

There’s something elemental in the tradition of ceramics—forged by hand and heat, coaxed and cooled with intention. In a contemporary context, those ties to process and history lend a sense of depth and humanity to even the most minimal designs. Andrew Molleur’s collection feels uniquely situated at that intersection, composed of modern vessels made by hand and moved by both his reverence for and innovation in this ancient craft.

We spoke to Andrew back in 2018 when we first featured his work, but we’re excited to
share some of his newer serveware and planters with you and explore the many ways in which these pieces bring us ever-closer to ourselves and the spaces we inhabit.

From Architect to Artist
Andrew felt a connection to the form as soon as his hands touched clay. He followed that spark from rural Eastern Connecticut to The Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied architectural and industrial design alongside ceramics. He took his BFA to an architecture firm in Manhattan, but soon missed the hands-on creative work he’d grown fond of. Eventually, Andrew made his way upstate to pursue something more generative. Today, he lives and works in Kingston, NY, creating fine art and functional pieces out of his 1,600-square-foot studio.

The Hudson River Valley’s abundance of natural beauty, rich history, and proximity to New York City has made it an ideal setting and source of inspiration for creative people over the years. These days, Kingston in particular is home to a vibrant and growing community of artists. It’s been fertile ground for imagination, experimentation, and collaboration with other designers and craftspeople. And that’s all played an important role in shaping what has become Andrew’s distinct aesthetic.

Handmade Porcelain Planters
Andrew’s Oblique Planters are a clear representation of his background and the principles that guide his work—the way he makes harmony of art and utility, structure and space. These handmade ceramic planters were designed to seamlessly integrate the container itself and the water tray beneath. The result is a charming update to what you typically find on the market, made to protect your plants from overwatering and your surfaces from damage. In addition to the White, Black, and Brick Oblique Planters we already carry, we’re happy to introduce a brand new color, Electric Blue.

Beyond his unique perspective, which seems to emerge in equal parts out of a cross-disciplinary mindset and those deep ties to nature that come from growing up and creating in the midst of a beautiful landscape, Andrew’s aesthetic has a lot to do with process. For all of his pieces featured here at Unison, he employs a ceramics technique called slip-casting, in which a mold is used to make multiples of shapes that aren’t easy to produce on a pottery wheel.

In his studio, Andrew works out his ideas with several iterations of sketching and testing before landing on a final design. A mold is then crafted in plaster by some combination of lathe, 3-D printer, and hand—each a work of art in its own rite. When the mold is complete and ready for production, the process remains incredibly intimate and hands-on. Each piece is individually poured and dried to his exact specifications before its final firing—every cast an echo of that original, one-of-a-kind creation.

In the case of the Oblique Planters, Andrew brought his designs to life by turning his plaster mold on a specially designed lathe. The result is what he refers to as an “undulating texture.” The soft, geometric edges feel unequivocally tied to the process by which it was created and in constant dialogue with both the plant inside and the environment that surrounds it.

It’s that same interplay of structure and space that makes the new Ribbed Planters such a lovely complement to the Oblique Planters. You can feel his architectural roots in this form, born of practicality and patterned to evoke a simultaneous sense of grounding and flux. These handmade ceramic planters hold space for that kind of duality and invite us to find comfort in the presence of those very natural thresholds.

Contemporary and classic. Intentional and intuitive. Artful and approachable. Every piece is an exercise in balance, a thoughtful venture through those lush and human in-betweens. Bringing one of these handmade ceramic planters into your space not only adds depth and texture to any room, but gives your greenery a home that’s just as tactile and alive as the plant itself. You can find these handmade ceramic planters in the same four colors as their Oblique counterparts and enjoy the matte finish and clean lines in a simple White, classic Black, earthy Brick, or a deep Electric Blue.

Art Meets Function
Then consider his tableware. Andrew’s Zig Zag Low Bowl delivers on that same line between art and function, lovely and still longing to be used. Stretched out in endless conversation with its setting, these sculptural vessels feel welcome in any part of the home, and equally relevant as the accent or subject of a scene. Find these slip-cast bowls in both White and Brick. They’re handmade in porcelain, food-safe, and are constructed with locally-sourced materials.

In Kingston, Andrew has the benefit of living and working very near a large ceramics supplier, which means materials are always within reach. And his workshop is organized in the spirit of experimentation, allowing him to push the boundaries of this age-old craft without constraint, and explore the kinds of versatility and fluidity that guide his work. By the time these pieces end up in our hands and homes, the sense of the place, tradition, and imagination from which they came feels almost palpable. And that depth of story resonates in the simple refinement of his designs. When we invite Andrew Molleur’s work into our spaces, we’re bringing art into the everyday. Honoring function with a lovely form. And investing in objects designed to endure.

Shop his work at Unison here, and learn more about what Andrew Molleur is up to on his website.