Dear Visitor,

Our shop has a history that weaves through a rich tapestry of creative collaborations and experiments. It is the original boutique interior & gift shop in Kenya, founded in 1999 by the wildly creative Leslie Duckworth, whose brave artistic expressions live on through the famous Blue Rhino Maps, board games; Kumiliki and The Safari Game to name a few. With many hats worn simultaneously, Leslie’s creativity spilled over into designing and building incredible, unique houses around the world. A one in a million kinda lady, but also our deeply loving and wonderful Mum.

Our gorgeous Mum passed away in August 2020, her absence is felt in every day. In the midst of the Covid Pandemic Blue Rhino was on its knees, and having lost the strength and inspiration of its matriarch its future seemed bleak. Determined to honour her legacy and provide a lifeline to the many families who depended on Blue Rhino, we took a leap of faith. With no prior retail experience, we rolled up our sleeves and committed ourselves to reviving this creative oasis. We knew that by keeping Blue Rhino alive, we were not only preserving Mum’s creation but also securing a future for countless artisans across East Africa.

Today, we stand humbled and grateful to be part of a community that supports 582 artisans and families across Africa. It has been a challenging journey, filled with both tears and triumphs. Yet, the emotional reward of carrying on Mum’s vision has surpassed all expectations. Our only wish is that Mum could see her creation go online, a subject we explored so often over a cup of tea under the garden croton trees,