What’s special about Myakka
Myakka started as a ‘bricks & mortar’ retailer based in a warehouse in the picturesque town of Wincanton, Somerset in 1999 with just a couple of staff and a dog named Floe. We initially sourced furniture and accessories from UK suppliers to offer to our local customers, but soon had difficulty locating the products that we wanted to sell which drove us to India in search of our own supply chains. We now source all our furniture directly from one manufacturer who we have been trading with for over seven years.
At Myakka, we’re delighted to have recently received the Ethical Award for demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility. We're also proud to be recognised as an importer and retail member of the British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS). In fact, over 90% of our products are sourced in the Fair Trade manner.
So, what does "Fair Trade" mean to us today? Essentially, we mean fair to all. Fair to the environment because our materials are ethically sourced, especially the sustainable Indian hardwoods which are key to our collection. Fair to our craftspeople in India with whom we negotiate profitable prices that nurture the development of their company and their community. Above all, fair to our customers who collectively make Myakka work so successfully. You tell us we often exceed your highest expectations of fine furniture, priced so affordably. Everything you choose is useful, beautiful, dependable and enduring so Fair Trade is neither a charity nor a compromise but a real delight that makes a tangible difference, to everyone. As we import our furniture directly, Myakka fair trade also means a visible chain of supply where everyone is valued as part of a winning team. We like to pass on a share of our profits to the SKSN school project and we have recently started working with the Somerset Community Foundationto help support projects and ventures in our own area.
Fair trade ten years on… we’re still based in our draughty, old warehouse with Simon and Georgie at the helm. Floe still mooches amiably around the warehouse when she’s not snoozing in her bed. And we’re still a small happy crew, keeping Myakka true to our original vision of outstanding personal service. You can shop with us through this secure e-commerce website, our mail order catalogue and our Warehouse Outlet. We trust you’ll enjoy our current collections and thank you for being part of it all.
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Our Personal Promise of Satisfaction
Everything in our shop, catalogue and on our website comes with our personal promise of customer satisfaction. The whole point of our Fair Trade philosophy is that we aim to be fair with everybody. So just ring us if you've any questions or if you want to return a piece for any reason. We always strive to ensure you are completely happy with every Myakka purchase you make.
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Myakka & SKSN School
Myakka is working alongside SKSN, a school providing care and education for physically challenged children from rural areas of Rajasthan. Our involvement is two-fold, offering direct donations from our company profits and also working to set up long-term trade links to provide a future earning capacity for the children of SKSN.
In February 2008, we donated £1,270 to assist in the running costs of the school dairy which provides essential milk and yogurt to the children and in January 2009, we donated a further £5,000 towards the costs of clothing, medicine and equipment for the limb workshop. In conjunction our main furniture supplier, we have commissioned the construction of 70 desks and benches which have been delivered to the school in July 2009. Myakka covered the cost of the materials for these desk and our furniture supplier kindly covered the cost of production. In conjunction with our supplier and SKSN school, we are working to set up apprenticeships for older children to work alongside the skilled furniture-makers in the factory once they have finished their education.
We have also commissioned the production of two ranges of cushions which have been produced by pupils who have completed their studies at the school. Having provided an interest free loan to the school to cover the set up costs, the cushions are featured in our latest catalogue and are now available online. We will be visiting SKSN in October 2009 to further this project and put more soft furnishing lines into production. Both these projects aim to provide a number of SKSN pupils with essential skills to help ensure their future independence once they have finished their studies. Visit SKSN School website to read about the great work they do and donate directly should you wish.
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Myakka & the environment
We aim to reduce the impact of our business as much as possible and we’re currently working on assessing the carbon emissions of Myakka with a view to minimising these as much as possible and establishing an offset programme for those which cannot be avoided. We concentrate on minimising our daily waste including reusing and recycling as much as possible, particularly our packaging materials. Our furniture is all imported by sea freight and we do not put unnecessary demands on our UK suppliers to air freight products into the UK, we’d rather be patient and bring them by sea!
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About our furniture
All our fine quality furniture is made from Sheesham and Acacia, two fast growing hardwoods, sourced by our supplier from sustainable, government managed plantations in India. Every design is individually hand made to our specification and entirely unique in grain, colour and detailing. The beautiful wood is kiln dried to stabilise its properties and is hand waxed to protect and deepen the lustre of the distinctive grain. Unlike modern, disposable furniture, our pieces are built to last a lifetime, so we recommend the use of you use coasters and mats to protect the polished surfaces from the wax bloom caused by contact with heat or liquids. Occasional care with our recommended Mylands Furniture Wax will help maintain the wood’s appearance and keep your furniture looking beautiful.
We currently offer three different ranges of furniture:
• Mallani Range – Sleek and contemporary, this exclusive collection harmonises effortlessly with any interior, contrasting the natural lustre of warm grained Sheesham hardwood with elegantly simple keyline metal handles.
Click here to view our Mallani Range
• Thakat Range – Honouring an ancient decorative heritage, Thakat is elaborate with Eastern details, hand carved into the waxed Indian rosewood. Irresistibly affordable, this traditional range features black ironwork, sturdy turned legs, carved plinths and pelmets.
Click here to view our Thakat Range
• Khimsar Range – Lighter in colour, Khimsar is crafted exclusively for us from Acacia hardwood. This theme is defined by tapered legs that soften the lines with a subtle design nuance and has neat metal knobs with an aged distinction.
Click here to view our Khimsar Range
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Furniture care & details
For the best protection and years of happy use, we would recommend you follow these care instructions:
• Wax occasionally – we recommend Mylands Antique Mahogany Wax for the Mallani, Thakat & Khimsar ranges which will help develop the colour as well as protect your furniture.
• As with any solid wood item, positioning in direct sunlight or near a heat source can cause movement or cracking of the wood.
• The furniture is not sealed, so please ensure you protect surfaces from hot or wet items which will cause ring marks.
Dimensions...
• All dimensions are shown in width, depth, height order in centimetres and due to the handmade nature of our products all measurements are approximate to +/- 2cm.
• Please remember it is your responsibility to ensure that the furniture will physically fit in your home – we urge you to check all access routes to ensure that larger items of furniture can physically be manoeuvered into your home.
• At times, it may be necessary to make alterations to the specifications of our products and we reserve the right to make such changes. Should this be necessary, we will always do our best to advise you before dispatching your order.
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Our soft furnishings & home accessories
It’s often in the detail – the correct accessories can make your home as individual as you’d like it. We’ve put together a great selection of products that offer practicality as well as good looks!
How should I look after my soft furnishings?
• We try to ensure that care details are listed alongside each product on this website. Unless otherwise stated, all textiles are machine washable on a cool wash (<40 oC).
• Due to the use of natural dyes, colours may vary & some dye transfer can occur – please consider this when placing dark fabrics on pale carpets or sofas.
How accurate are the dimensions?
• All dimensions are shown in width, depth, height order in centimetres and due to the handmade nature of our products all measurements are approximate to +/- 2cm.
• The measurements shown for tab-top curtains are inclusive of the tabs.
• At times, it may be necessary to make alterations to the specifications of our products and we reserve the right to make such changes. Should this be necessary, we will always do our best to advise you before dispatching your order.
Are the colours I see on the screen accurate?
• Whilst every reasonable care has been taken in producing this Myakka website, we cannot guarantee that the colour reproduction is an exact match with the items portrayed. Monitor, graphics card and lighting conditions mean that slight variations may occur.
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