A4D is a Slow Design studio co-creating and partnering with skilled artisan groups in Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Zimbabwe, Tanzania & Morocco. Soulful partnerships grown over time; that celebrate & uplift, that create new pathways, preserve culture and honour sacred materials.
All our artisan made works of art boldly express each artist’s creativity, culture and the empowered process of made by hands. Hand-loomed, hand-woven, hand-beaded, hand-painted, hand-built, hand-printed, hand-carved, hand-dyed, hand-sewn.
When you approach materials with respect and create with purpose, the resulting works are infused with a distinct energy or essence of their creator and their traditional heritage. This interconnectedness is at the heart of A4D and the ultimate luxury we believe. Welcome.
Seriously Good Soap
Basket Bags Elevated
Elevate your Tablescapes
Kitchen Essentials
Our PLACEMATS WITH PURPOSE merge two of our greatest passions ~ well paid and meaningful work for skilled artisans and coming together around the table with friends.
Discover vibrant combinations to lively up your tabletops in a myriad of colours and patterns - both traditional and contemporary. Perfect for both casual outdoor dinners and sophisticated celebrations, we find they pair perfectly with any assortment of tableware and mixing sets is most definitely part of the fun!
A4D Founder Bettina co-created with a select group of The Baba Tree’s talented artisans to perfect these sets.. creating beautiful and useful placemats to energise your tabletops and inspire your breakfast, lunch and dinner guests for a long time to come!
Shop our custom collection created in our unique designs and colourways ~ coming soon!
Modern Medicine Cloths Restocked
SIGN UP TO OUR MOONLETTER AND RECEIVE 10% OFF
SIGN UP TO OUR MOONLETTER AND RECEIVE 10% OFF
SIGN UP TO OUR MOONLETTER AND RECEIVE 10% OFF
SIGN UP TO OUR MOONLETTER AND RECEIVE 10% OFF
Made-to-order and what that means exactly — We consider made-to-order an innovative and sustainable option for purchase. By introducing the practice of made-to-order to A4D we are working to avoid overproduction and over-ordering which helps to minimise industry waste. Made-to-order ensures only what is needed is produced and gives our artisan partners and collaborators the time to create each unique piece by hand in true slow design time. Please allow 6-8 weeks for your order fulfillment.
Drop Bettina a line at appetitefordecoration@gmail.com if you’re keen to custom your very own Art basket!
A4D Founder and rebel with a cause Bettina McILwraith was first introduced to the concept of slow design working as a fashion buyer in Melbourne in 2000. She had one of those aha moments.. running her fingers over an exquisite hand-beaded garment, created in collaboration with traditional artisans and fresh from the catwalk. A moment that changed her way of thinking and her career path forever.
24 years later.. A4D continues to celebrate and champion ethical brands, innovative makers and skilled artisans.
