Focused on thoughtful craftsmanship and sustainable practices, we strive to create pieces of the highest quality. We believe in design without rules, and in paying homage to the great indoors.
OUR STORY
Dove and Donkey delights in curated objects and textiles for the home. Founded by an interior designer with a passion for spaces and an obsession with quality, we were born of a desire for something unique; unique colors, textures, and pieces that can be combined effortlessly. We believe design can be thoughtful and playful, fresh but never dated, and always inspired by you. Coming from a place of collaboration, we approach sustainability and production with a respect for both our partners and the environment.
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artisan collaboration
We love our collaborators. They are skilled artisans and passionate creators. The products are designed in Boston. We then seek out small factories and cooperatives that have a positive working environment, as well as equitable pay practices.
sustainability
We seek to work with organizations and factories that care about the people they employ and the communities in which they operate. Our partner factories also work to reduce waste and energy use in manufacturing.
We are conscious of the resources that go into making our products. Our goal is to create sustainable goods that are kind to both people and the planet.
Our Materials
Alpaca Wool
Why alpaca? Alpacas are curious, social and (we think) adorable. Their fleece is renewable, sustainable, and eco-friendly. Alpacas are gentle on the environment. They only eat the tops of the grass and their softly padded hooves have little impact on the land. Alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic, resistant to breaking and pilling, and a great insulator. Oh, and have you felt their fleece? It is softer than cashmere. We promise that you will never go back.
Natural Dyes
Our hand-knits are dyed using natural materials such as plants, insects, or minerals such as roots, berries, cochineal, bark, leaves, and wood. For our more vibrant colors, a commercial dye is added for the enhancement of the color.
Cotton
Our cottons are manufactured at a small factory in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The entire process, from weaving to dying to painting, is done manually and in small batches. We love that you can see the human hand in every painted stripe. No two pieces are alike but all are created with an abundance of love and energy!
Up Close
Hand Embroidery
Our Hey Baby throws are hand embroidered by a community of women in Callalli, Peru. These artisans use a stencil to mark the patterns on the throws. The women then hand embroider each dot using 100% wool crewel. The resulting circular chain stitch looks much like a rosette. They do such beautiful work that it’s difficult to decipher the blanket’s front from the back.
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Handpainted Textiles
Our striped textiles from Argentina are all woven, dyed, and painted by hand. Each piece of fabric is marked and then painted using a water based product that is LEED compliant. It is a very manual process, resulting in a beautifully unique product.
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Hand-spun yarn
The traditional method of hand spinning alpaca fleece is done with an Andean tool called a pushka or a drop spindle. It is similar to a wooden top with an elongated axis. The raw fiber is held in one hand and pulled out, while gauging the thickness of the yarn. The pushka is then set in a whirling motion and the fleece twists into a string as it drops and wraps around the upper part of the spindle.
Still curious?
Get in touch with your questions!
Who We Are
Sheila Galligan
After many years in the world of interior design, Sheila saw the need for a collection of home textiles and objects that are unique in texture and design yet multi-functional. She founded Dove and Donkey with a desire to bring such products to the marketplace. She believes that the relationship with the collaborator is as important as the end product and seeks to work with people who share this vision.
Jadine Greenaway
Hailing from Montserrat, West Indies, Jadine migrated to the U.S. at the age of 8. Though she swiftly integrated into her new home, she brought much of her island culture with her. With a great love for costume design and production, she is actively involved in international carnivals and the Caribbean music scene. Her keen eye for detail and quality led her to Barneys New York, where she spent many years advising a wide range of clients. Jadine’s experience in the luxury goods market, coupled with her unique sense of style, made Dove and Donkey the perfect collaboration.
things sheila loves about jadine:
Her smile - it lights up a room + Her incredible sense of style + Her punctuality + Her love of family and homeland + Her work ethic + She’s just so cool!
Say Hello: sheila@doveanddonkey.com
THINGS JADINE LOVES ABOUT SHEILA:
She is meticulous-triple checks everything! Her eye for design wows me every step of the way. I love her relationship with her daughters. She IS that cool Mom. She is caring by nature and is a genuinely beautiful soul. FUN FACT: I am obsessed with her hair!
Say Hello: jadine@doveanddonkey.com