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Cayley Pater and Andy Ives met in 2005 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Fair Trade Club. Eventually, they got married and launched the online retail company Made Trade in 2018.

In the time between, however, Pater gained experience in ethical fashion by managing brands like Darzah and Zeki Learning at the nonprofit A Child’s Cup Full Association. This role involved working closely with artisans and promoting fair-trade products. Ives worked in product development and marketing, complementing Pater’s background. Together, they identified a gap in the market: many of the companies they liked and bought items from had limited brand awareness.

So, they set out with a mission: simplify the process of discovering ethically made and sustainably sourced home goods and clothing by allowing values-vetted artisans to sell their goods on the site. Today, they showcase product across both home and fashion and this week, they’ve launched a huge sale.

To pique your interest, here are five pieces Azure Road’s editors are eyeing for the holidays.

Image Courtesy of Made Trade.

Diria Cactus Leather Armchair

The Diria armchair by MasayaCo is crafted from 100% solid, responsibly sourced teak hardwood with cactus leather upholstery. Cactus leather is a sustainable alternative to traditional leather created from nopal cactus leaves. Developed by Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez in Mexico, it’s eco-friendly, biodegradable, and animal-free. Measuring 30 inches wide, 34 inches deep, and 33.5 inches high, this chair features a 24-inch seat height and Mid-Century style with the padded back and sloping arms. MasayaCo began as a reforestation project in Managua, Nicaragua, later evolving into a furniture brand focused on timeless design and artisanal quality. We’re envisioning this chair as an office or living room accent.

Image Courtesy of Made Trade.

Amador Rocking Chair

The Amador rocking chair by MasayaCo combines Mid-Century modern style with eco-conscious craftsmanship. Made from 100% solid teak hardwood and hand woven polyester manila cord, this chair is crafted by artisans in Nicaragua. It features a 28-inch width, 35-inch depth, and 40-inch height, with an 18-inch seat height and 25-inch arm height. Designed for indoor or covered areas, the Amador arrives fully assembled. Its curved structure offers a relaxing seat, while the black and cream hues of the geometric pattern add a bit of pop to any room. We see an evening on the porch with a glass of wine in this chair owner’s future.

Image Courtesy of Made Trade.

Apanas Dining Table

The Apanas dining table by MasayaCo is crafted from 100% solid, responsibly sourced teak hardwood. It measures 72 inches wide, 39.5 inches deep, and 30 inches high, with 26 inches of clearance, and seats up to six people. Handcrafted by Nicaraguan artisans using wood from reforestation projects, the table contributes to carbon capture efforts as well as regional employment. In fact, for every product sold, MasayaCo plants 100 trees in Nicaragua to help combat deforestation and clear-cutting. To date, MayasaCo has planted more than 1 million trees and currently employs 350 designers, architects, and artisans. We’re smitten with the charcoal finish on this table, a color that’s underutilized in dining room furniture.

Image Courtesy of Made Trade.

Atten Four-Drawer Wide Dresser

The Atten dresser by Medley is crafted from 100% solid, FSC-certified white maple or American walnut, with two columns of drawers for ample storage. Medley Home, known for eco-friendly, durable furniture, handcrafts its pieces in the U.S. using responsibly sourced materials. This dresser, measuring 70 inches wide, 26.5 inches high, and 20 inches deep, with 10-inch drawer height, is designed for functional elegance. The drawers incorporate classic joinery and soft-close hardware, ideal for classic yet minimalist look.

Image Courtesy of Made Trade.

Blumen Bumper Sectional in Natural Latex with Recycled Polyester

Is it possible to find a comfortable couch that’s responsibly manufactured? Considering the toxic glues and off-gassing of conventional furniture, we doubted it — until discovering Medley Home’s Blumen line. While pricey, they’re built to last, and Made Trade’s sale helps bring the price down. This sectional offers a cozy lounging experience with a deep seat and low frame. Handcrafted in the U.S., it features natural latex foam, wool fiber, needled wool, FSC-certified wood, and cotton. The sectional measures 33 inches in height (frame 28 inches with pillows extending 5 inches), with an 18-inch seat height and 24- or 28-inch seat depth. Available in lengths from 112 to 126 inches, it’s customizable in fabric, filling, dimensions, layout, and leg style. Azure Road editors are big fans of the color blue, obviously.

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