As someone who loves travel and bringing global flavors into my home, I‘m always on the hunt for brands that connect me to faraway cultures in an ethical way. That‘s why I was instantly drawn to The Citizenry and their mission to preserve fading handicrafts while empowering makers worldwide.
Over the past couple years, I‘ve had the pleasure of testing out their stonewashed linen sheets, wool rugs, block print pillows and more one-of-a-kind artifacts from my home. If you share my affinity for unique home decor with a conscience, stick around as I share an inside look at The Citizenry‘s offerings after extended firsthand use.
Overview: Artisan-Crafted Home Goods Supporting Traditions Worldwide
The Citizenry was founded in 2013 by longtime friends Carly Nance and Rachel Bentley, avid travelers who struggled to find authentic global designs back in the U.S. that didn‘t appropriate cultural styles.
They created The Citizenry to form lasting partnerships built on trust with artisans worldwide — preserving generations-old techniques while providing stable income and growth opportunities.
Operating under direct trade and Fair Trade principles, The Citizenry now works with over 2,500 master artisans across 15 countries. From hand looming textiles in rural India to carving modern furniture in Mexico using sustainable forestry methods.
Beyond fair wages, they reinvest 10% of profits into initiatives their partners need most like literacy programs, eco efficiency workshops and healthcare access. This ethical ecosystem and their aesthetic blending heritage and contemporary styles has grabbed media attention.
You‘ve likely spotted their block printed bedding or handwoven rugs in Architectural Digest, Vogue, Goop, New York Times‘ Wirecutter and more. Everything they sell gives you a window into vanishing traditions plus uplifts people and planet.
Next I‘ll give you a tour through their main product categories so you can start envisioning these ethical artifacts in your own space!
Product Range: Bedding, Furniture, Rugs & Unique Decor Spanning the Globe
Bedding & Linens
Given my love of hosting guests, I‘m quite picky about my bedding and bath goods needing to walk the line between durability and luxury. The Citizenry‘s stonewashed linen and organic cotton sets master these perfectly.
My linen sheets have endured weekly laundering for 3+ years now with zero pilling or fraying. I prefer the textures and natural colors of their Portuguese linens, which start ultra-soft then improve with age as the flax fibers relax. Their organic Turkish cotton is ideal for those desiring crisp easy care.
Beyond sheets, I adore their lightweight linen quilt and chunky waffle towels — both efficient yet indulgent. Everything launderedishly so no fussing with dry cleaning bills. Expect sets starting around $200-$350 for queen size bedding essentials.
Furniture
My goal when moved into my new place was to avoid mass produced furniture pooling in landfills — instead I sought enduring investments that could be passed down generations. The Citizenry‘s hand carved chairs, tables and shelving fit the vision perfectly.
I invested in their Abbot lounge chair as my reading corner piece given its ergonomic shape for long hours lost in novels. It‘s gone everywhere with me the past 6 years! Crafted by an elderly carpenter outside Oaxaca using fallen maple, I‘ll be enjoying for a lifetime and beyond. Their lounge chairs run $995-$1,895.
Beyond seating, their handwoven wicker coffee tables and media consoles add global flair at reasonable prices around $600-$1,200. All come with slight variations making them extra special.
Rugs
My home did feel incomplete on the new hardwood floors without a few area rugs to define spaces and make it more livable for my two dogs. I fell for The Citizenry‘s vibrant washed wool Beni Ourain rugs made the traditional way by nomadic tribeswomen in the Moroccan mountains.
I went for their original designs with playful tribal patterns as a nod to heritage weaving motifs. Zero regrets. The luxe textures have softened my home while enduring my pups and messy dinner parties over 3 years strong now. Their 5‘x8‘ rugs cost around $795-$1,650.
For dhurrie cotton rugs, I suggest considering their striped kilim or overdyed styles around just $125 for 3‘x5‘ sizes. Great to switch out seasonally.
Decor
This brand carries smaller items perfect for popping color and texture throughout your rooms without overwhelming displays.
My favorite decor pieces have to be my hand embroidered and block printed pillow covers from artisan groups India and Guatemala. The vibrant pom, flowering vines and wild bird motifs layer nicely with my more neutral linens and leather furnishings. Plus they add quick personality shifts when I‘m craving seasonal change without full room overhauls!
I also suggest their clay piggy banks from Colombian ceramicists if you have littles running around. And their handwoven jute basket collection works perfectly for toy corralling. Unique finds start around just $28.
Next I‘ll give you my complete run down on quality and value across these artisanal categories after years of firsthand use…
Quality & Value: How The Citizenry‘s Products Measure Up
Quality
Having tested their home goods extensively day to day and through laundering, moves and dinner parties, I stand firmly behind the outstanding quality across bedding, furniture and rugs.
My stonewashed linen bedding in particular has held rich consistent colors and ultra soft feel after 100s of washes now with zero fraying or holes. It just looks better with age! And my wool Beni Ourain rug showed minimal shedding for a wool piece, now lasting years strong underneath my rambunctious pups and friends in heels.
I‘ll note my hand carved chair did arrive with a small chip on one leg which was promptly fixed by their customer service team. And I do wish my Moroccan wool rug had a reinforced canvas backing to truly make it heirloom status.
So quality is there overall but be prepared for slight imperfections, size variations and little quirks inherently expected with small-batch artisanal production.
Value
You pay a premium for The Citizenry‘s consciously sourced home goods versus mass manufactured items, with textiles spanning $100 to $400 and furniture from $500 to $3,000+.
In my eyes, the longevity, artistry, ethical practices and joy these pieces have brought me over years of use makes them worthwhile investments. Plus when I account for the livelihoods empowered abroad, that grants them extra meaning.
If you share my affinity for exotic designs with heritage craftsmanship that give back, you‘ll find lasting value in their catalog. More budget-focused buyers may better resonate with mass retailers like Article, Joybird or Wayfair.
Sustainability
All materials — from FSC-certified woods to organic cotton fibers — are responsibly obtained to lower environmental footprints. Dyes use GOTS approved plants, minerals. And carbon-offset delivery partners reduce shipping emissions.
Through my close partnership with their team, I‘ve witnessed how they cherish enduring relationships with makers focused on stewarding cultural wisdom and natural resources for generations to come vs exploiting.
There‘s always room to improve (like boosting recycled content). But their model centered on respecting people and ecosystems stands apart as truly sustainable.
Next I‘ll tell you about the promotions and rewards you can unlock for shopping intentionally with them!
Promotions & Rewards: Save on Conscious Goods
As The Citizenry focuses on maintaining Fair Trade wages without cuts, you won‘t see markdowns beyond occasional discounts around 10%:
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Join their email list for 10% off your first purchase
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Check sales around Earth Day, Black Friday and holidays
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Keep an eye out for rare one-off promos on social media
While not cheap, I‘ve found their prices consistent with costs required to operate ethically while investing back in artists‘ livelihoods and communities.
And loyal shoppers do get VIP access to limited edition goods not released publicly. Like their recent intricate hand embroidered throw collaboration supporting refugee artisans.
Overall if you want unique decor that makes an impact, appreciate that subsidies likely come from margin versus makers‘ pay. Sign up for their emails to grab what deals you can!
Guide to Shopping: Delivery, Returns & Contact
Navigating shipping, returns and exchanges for a smaller ecom company focused on craft can get confusing compared to mega retailers. Here‘s exactly what to expect:
Shipping
- Free ground shipping within the continental US
- Expedited 2-day shipping around $20+
- White glove delivery for large furniture (fees start around $100+)
- Items made just for you ship in 4-6 weeks
Returns
- 30 days to return purchases
- Free returns/exchanges for store credit
- Pay return shipping for full refunds
- Can‘t return personalized or custom goods
Contact
- Phone, chat or email support M-F 8AM-8PM EST, Sat 12PM-4PM EST
- Direct line: (866)356-4284
- Email: [email protected]
Hope this gives you clarity on what to expect for delivery, takebacks and reaching their team. Never hesitate to ask questions to ensure your purchases work perfectly at home before committing!
Is The Citizenry Right For You?
I suggest The Citizenry first and foremost for buyers who appreciate the heritage, craftsmanship and ethics behind their products as much as the beautiful designs themselves.
Their catalog is ideal for you if you identify with any of the following:
- Seek heirloom decor – Willing invest more upfront for durability, artistry plus improving appearance over decades of use
- Support sustainable models – Want purchases to drive economic empowerment guiding traditional techniques into the future
- See home as ever-evolving – Love infusing exotic artifacts & ethical textiles for an eclectic, globally-inspired aesthetic
More casual buyers focused strictly on trend may prefer more affordable fast home brands. But for ethically-crafted investments designed to last generations backed by incredible service, The Citizenry has won my loyalty for good.
Final Take: Magical Products Preserving Cultural Wisdom
I‘m endlessly impressed by raw talent The Citizenry identifies and empowers around the world, blending ancestral designs into contemporary lifestyles while safeguarding fading wisdom for future artists.
They take sourcing beyond just ethical practices to deeply understand regional cultures and what uplifts community dignity using global market access. And you feel that respect for people and planet in each fair trade tag.
While investments, enduring both environmental and social good over cheap and disposable will always get my vote. I hope you find their catalog as inspiring as I have for curating a home sending light out into the world!
I‘m eager to answer any questions you have about products I‘ve enjoyed over the years. Never hesitate to reach out!
