Tucked away in a quiet corner of South Devon is the wonderful Nkuku Lifestyle Store and Café. A beautiful collection of stone barns that showcase the brand’s collection of ethically sourced and impeccably crafted homeware.
Found in numerous independent shops across the South West and beyond, Nkuku is a familiar face here in Devon. Who knew they had a shop in Harbertonford? I had to visit. So, after a fab day at a friend’s wedding, I had the perfect opportunity to spend an hour or two trying not to spend all my money.
The Nkuku Story
It all started on a round the world adventure. Meeting inspirational people along the way, the team behind Nkuku decided they wanted to tell stories that wouldn’t otherwise get told. So they decided to collate some of the best products and bring them to the depths of Devon to start a new adventure.
When you visit the store you can really feel the sense of adventure behind the name. The founders still travel to Asia today to source and meet new makers and artists to add unique pieces to the Nkuku name.
The values that underpin the brand have helped make it what it is today – ethical, eco friendly and handmade. The real stars are the makers. Passionate about what they do, their work is a way of life.
There are some fantastic interviews with some of the makers on the Nkuku website, so you can get to know the faces behind the products.
The Store
It’s a real Aladdin’s cave of delights. I’m used to seeing a few items in shops but to see everything together in one place is a joy. From huge pieces of furniture to intricate door handles, there’s something for everyone.
The Café
We’d been to a wedding the previous day so needed to refuel, and the café was a welcome addition. The cosy space feels warm and inviting, with gorgeous products from the store in action. On a sunny day you can sit in the relaxing courtyard, where you’ll also find the store’s prize pocession – a 70 year old, three tonne, wooden antique elephant called Ele. Ele made the long trip from Rajasthan in 2017, and has now settled into his new home in Devon.
The café serves a tempting selection of pastries and a small but perfectly formed breakfast menu until midday, with light lunches from 12pm onwards. I opted for avocado, smoked salmon and scrambled egg on local sourdough,and an Americano – one of my favourite breakfasts.
The Americano was smooth and delicious and the food was a real treat. Silky scrambled eggs, creamy avocado, fresh salmon and wonderfully crusty sourdough. As you can tell, I’d definitely recommend. The small team were welcoming and attentive and made us feel like we were eating with old friends.
Next time you’re in the area, head over to Harbertonford and get lost in the Nkuku way of life… you’ll love it.
