Jute Cottage of Bangalore: A paean to ethnic excellence

Tired of assembly-line shopping from trendy malls? Want a touch of ethnic excellence in your wardrobe? Whatever be the excuse, you’ll find yourself justly rewarded once you step into Jute Cottage, an amazing outlet that will rope you in for ever and have you coming back for more.

Started in 1999 as a small family-run business, Jute Cottage has grown considerably through the years, with branches at Total Mall and Big Bazaar. Says PA Khan, one of the partners, “We always believed in eco-friendly products and it’s these great jute products that bring in customers.” A look around, and it’s not difficult to spot why.

For those of you whose association with jute limits to gunny bags, Jute Cottage can be a revelation of sorts. On the shelves you’ll find richly-crafted jute slippers and slip-ons, hand bags in different colours and sizes, cool jewellery and bangle boxes, showy string pouches and elegant wallets. The prices of most of these products range from less-than-a-hundred to a couple-of-hundred rupees.

Besides giving your cupboard that eco-friendly touch, you can also revamp your living room with an earthy feel: pick up colourful jute carpets and rugs for the floor, table mats and coasters for the dining table and funky laundry bags. The walls can do with a few jute wall-hangings as well.

Feel the need to personalise your office space? Here is a chance to do that too. Folders, envelopes, passport holders, business-card holders, pen and pencil stands, and business bags made of this wonder fabric are sure to prune the jagged edges of a corporate decor.

If this leaves you amply enthused, you can notch up your eco-quotient further: try out a range of bric-a-brac and other utility items made of clay and leather. Terracotta chimes vases and lamps, handcrafted leather products, such as, mobile holders and key chains, paper-crafted photo albums, huge Japanese fans made of cane will definitely win the applause of artsy folks. Earrings and necklaces of rice husks, trinkets made of jute, Benarasi silk scarves, wooden belts and powder containers make for offbeat gift items as well.

Jute Cottage is a wonderful place to shop in, allowing you the accessibility of trendy designs as well as the opportunity to reduce your carbon prints. Go well fortified: don’t tell us we didn’t warn you enough!