02/08/2026
People often ask us how Timbuktoo Living began.
For years, Joel and I traveled simply because we loved discovering new places. Somewhere along the way, our trips started looking a little different. Instead of coming home with souvenirs, we came home with furniture strapped to the the car, baskets squeezed into every empty space, pottery wrapped in our clothes, and artwork we somehow convinced ourselves would fit in our luggage.
What we treasured most, though, weren’t the pieces. They were the people behind them. We spent time in family workshops, wandered through local markets, listened to artisans tell us about techniques that had been passed down for generations, and left with friendships that stayed with us long after the trip was over.
Our home slowly became a collection of those experiences. Every object reminded us of somewhere we’d been, someone we’d met, or a story we never wanted to forget.
When friends came over, they didn’t ask where we bought our furniture. They asked where they could find pieces that felt like this. Pieces that made a home feel lived in instead of decorated.
That was the beginning of Timbuktoo Living.
Today, we’re still doing exactly what we’ve always loved doing. We travel across Africa, meet extraordinary makers, and bring home craftsmanship that deserves to be celebrated. Our hope is that every piece you take home becomes part of your own story and helps you create a space that feels deeply personal.
Because that’s what Timbuktoo Living has always been about. Not filling homes with beautiful things, but helping people create homes that reflect the lives they’re living.
Comment STORY below and we’ll send you the full Timbuktoo Living story.
