Thanking You For 20 Years of Eangee Home Design

April 28, 2024
By: Christopher Godfrey

A note from the CEO – Chris Godfrey

This month is a special month for me; we are celebrating 20 Years of Eangee Home Design! When I first started in October 2003, I couldn’t even think past the end of the year. I definitely couldn’t imagine how our next 20 years would unfold. 😅

Gecko Lamp the original design

Gecko Lamp the original design

How did we get started?

My father, Clyde Godfrey, was traveling in the Philippines in spring 2003 when he stumbled onto a local shop with handcrafted lamps. One of those lamps was shaped like a gecko, a lamp concept and style he had never seen before. At the time, I was very interested in geckos and amphibians, and even had a little terrarium where I kept some as pets. The lamp reminded my father of me, and he carried it back to the US for me.

Clyde has always had an outgoing and entrepreneurial spirit, so before leaving the shop, he struck up a conversation with the artisans to find out more about what they were creating and the process behind it.

Upon returning to the States, Clyde gifted the gecko lamp to me and he shared, with enthusiasm, the story and conversation he had with the artisans and their one-of-a-kind items. Between the lamp’s unique design and its use of eco-friendly materials (which was not yet mainstream), there was nothing else like it in the U.S. market.

We started formulating a dream of selling these pieces here, and with that quickly realized we needed more hands-on deck to bring our ideas to life. My longtime friend, Shay Elder, quickly joined the team. Shay had some experience with a small business, and some practical ideas to help the business move forward.

Voila, Eangee Home Design was born!

We started as a small store in downtown Lawrence, Kansas in 2003.

Newspaper captioning the first retail store in 2003

Newspaper article the first retail store

Through the years, we transitioned from a single store to becoming a national brand with retail partners in all 50 states.

Our team expanded as well by bringing on great talents, Eric, Stephen, Chelo, and Rochelle; all while keeping true with our original mission of creating handcrafted home décor that is eco-friendly and fair-trade.

Staying True To Natural Materials

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to staying true crafting home décor using natural materials, rattan, abaca, capiz, and real leaves on our lamp shades. Even though we are always innovating, our artisans have meticulously and sustainably sourced materials from nature’s vast palette, infusing a genuine, organic touch into every piece they craft. Their passion for incorporating real leaves, rattan, and other sustainable materials has not only enhanced the beauty of homes but also showcased the importance of preserving our environment.

In a world where mass production often takes precedence, Eangee Home Design continues to be a shining example of how embracing nature’s bounty can result in unparalleled, breathtaking designs that stand the test of time.

Collaboration with Our Artisans

We’ve have reached a remarkable milestone of 20 years, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate this incredible journey.

Image of the artisans that work on the lamps

Image of artisans

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication, passion, and exceptional craftsmanship of their artisans. For two decades, these talented individuals have poured their hearts and souls into creating some of the most exquisite and unique home decor pieces on the market.

From handcrafted lamps to stunning wall art, our artisans have consistently brought their A-game, transforming homes into stunning showcases of artistry.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to these artisans for their unwavering commitment, turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary sanctuaries.

Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation, creativity, and exceptional design!

Sincerely,

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