Last year I visited Portugal with my best friend, and I fell in love with the country all over again. Having visited the Algarve some years prior, this time we spent time across Lisbon and Porto, and honestly, I can’t wait to go back. This year, while I don’t have travel plans as of yet, I can enjoy decorating my home with memories from Portugal – all thanks to Portuguese Treasures.
Portuguese Treasures is a small boutique based in Dorset, UK, run by a friendly Portuguese family whose passion is to share traditional and sustainable homewares made in Portugal with the world. Upon discovering their boutique, I just had to bring some of the beauty of Portugal into my home. Here are my top picks from their shop, along with their sustainable credentials and the memories that they evoke for me!
My Sustainable Portuguese Homewares
Olive Wood Bread Platter
I have a certain affinity with olive trees. I don’t know if it’s my Middle Eastern heritage, or my passion for cooking, but either way, there’s something so very special about olives, olive oil, and olive wood. This Olive Wood French Bread Platter not only embodies that same appreciation for olives, it also combines it with my other love of France and French culture. There’s not much I’ll wake up early for on a weekend, but fresh baguette is one, so this bread platter will be put to good use. Handmade from olive wood, each platter has a unique character and can also be used to serve tapas or nibbles. It’s beautifully crafted and of course, made in Portugal.
Olive Wood Fruit Bowl
Sticking with olive wood, I’ve also added a beautiful Olive Wood Fruit Bowl as a permanent fixture on my dining table. (I’ve got to admit, I was using a mixing bowl as a fruit bowl prior to this.) This bowl brings back memories of Lisbon. There, I spotted citrus fruit trees lining the streets. It also adds a natural pop of colour to my home, just like the tiles did across the city. I dream of a day when I can move to a country warm enough to grow citrus trees of my own… Until then, at least I have this bowl.
Olive Wood Honey Dipper
If you love herbal tea, this is for you. I love tea, and the slow ritual that it brings. I don’t mind if it’s a two-minute brew to start the day, or a gentle chamomile before bed. I love tea all the same. This Olive Wood Honey Dipper is the perfect addition to any tea lover’s toolkit. My current favourite tea is a Spicy Chai by Nemi Tea, and I like to add a small drizzle of honey to it. I can now do so in style, and evoke memories of the very beautiful tea shop I stumbled across in Lisbon last year.
Cork Mouse Mat
Finally, perhaps the most useful pick of the lot! When I’m not being a digital nomad, I like to work from my home study, complete with eco-friendly tech. One item I hadn’t been able to find an eco-friendly alternative to (until now) was a mouse mat! Enter this Natural Cork Mouse Pad from Portuguese Treasures. This mouse pad is a generous size which I love. It is cushioned and comfortable to use throughout the day. And it reminds me of my first ever trip to Portugal, where I stayed in the Algarve. This is one of the regions in Portugal famed for its cork wood production. If you didn’t know, Portugal is the world’s largest producer of cork. And while I would rather be in amongst the cork trees than sat at my desk, at least this decoration can bring back good memories!
What do you think of my picks? While I like to think I’m a minimalist, I have to admit I’m nostalgic at heart…
