Mind the Cork’s Eco-Friendly Founder Spills Her Holiday Shopping Cart
Get your weekly dose of holiday shopping inspo and see what Design Milk’s favorite creatives and designers will be giving as gifts this holiday season by peeking inside their shopping carts! This week we’re talking to Jenny Espirito Santo, founder and designer behind mind the cork.
Jenny Espirito Santo is the founder, designer, and self-proclaimed green fingered cork aficionada behind mind the cork — the London-based design brand that crafts sustainable, design-driven homewares and accessories from 100% natural cork. With conscious craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation as guiding principles, mind the cork breathes new life into a seriously underrated material, making modern goods that elevate our everyday life.
While starting her career in interior design, Jenny noticed a lack of environmental consideration in her field. Inspired to embark on something new that had less environmental impact, she rediscovered cork — a renewable material common in Portugal — with which she was already familiar thanks to her Portuguese heritage. Derived from the bark of the Quercus Suber tree, cork is unique in that it doesn’t require chopping down trees and can be easily stripped off the bark and harvested without damaging the tree. Fueled by her passion for craft, Espirito Santo began working with the material to create design-led homewares, and eventually mind the cork was born.
From planters and bowls to vessels and cardholders — every mind the cork piece is a celebration of cork’s tactile nature and the beauty of minimal, understated design. But what pieces of modern design are catching Jenny’s eye during the holiday season, we wonder? Let’s check out the holiday gifts she’s eyeing by peeking inside her shopping cart!
2022 by Anecdote Candles
“This makes me chuckle. ‘Smells like high hopes and low expectations’ — well, that worked for 2021, didn’t it! If you don’t have a friend with a dark sense of humor, please get one, we’re the best people to have around in times of uncertainty. Then give them this candle, it will make them smile.”
Emke Cork Vessel in Mint Lid by mind the cork
“Everyone has that friend with the beautifully organized and styled desk. This is the gift for them. The Emke storage pot is the perfect gift for them. It’s modern, lightweight, eco-friendly and there are a whole bunch of lid colors to choose from too!”
Flor Turquoise Wall Clock by cloudnola
“A cool and sophisticated pop of color. I think I will actually put this clock my personal Santa’s wish list. If you have a friend that continuously makes you wait, maybe this is the gift for them… It says I love you and your style but please leave home on time!”
S04 Small Pour-Over Brewer Set by KINTO
“This set is for the serious coffee lover who is in pursuit of a bit of zen. Nothing like watching coffee pour slowly while you get ready to face the day — in fact, I think we all need this brewer set!”
Katha Throw by Studio Variously
“I love that the Katha throw is handmade, so each piece is slightly different. This would be a really special gift, it’s neutral enough to fit all sorts of interior design preferences but still very intricate and so carefully crafted to make it a lifetime piece.”
>>> For more holiday gift ideas, visit the Design Milk Shop, here! <<<
