Introducing Coral & Charcoal - The colour we couldn't forget

There are some birds that become favourites because we see them every day.

The Bullfinch isn't one of them.

It's much more elusive, which is exactly why it's such a thrill whenever one appears. That unmistakable flash of warm coral against soft charcoal never fails to stop me in my tracks.

It's been a favourite of mine since childhood, when I would spend hours leafing through my Dad's old Reader's Digest Book of British Birds. I was fascinated by the colours, the illustrations and the names, and although the pages are a little more worn these days, that same book still sits on a shelf in our workshop.

It still makes regular appearances on the workbench whenever we're exploring new colour combinations.

When we began thinking about our next limited edition collection, we kept coming back to that Bullfinch palette.

The rich warmth of coral paired with deep charcoal felt timeless. Fresh enough for summer, cosy enough for autumn and perfectly at home in the countryside we love.

From those first leather samples spread across the workbench, the collection began to take shape.

There was just one small problem.

The coral leather I'd fallen in love with wasn't available in the particular leather we use for our collars.

I tried to forget about it.

For months.

But every time we started thinking about new colour combinations, my mind wandered straight back to that same beautiful shade.

Eventually, I asked our leather merchant what the chances were of getting hold of just one hide.

He very kindly spoke to the tannery in Italy, who agreed to send a single hide as a sample without the usual minimum order quantities.

That one hide is the reason Coral & Charcoal exists.

It also means this really is a limited edition.

Once we've used that hide, there won't be another.

Every leather collar and lead is handcrafted in our Cotswold workshop using Italian vegetable-tanned leather, soft 100% wool felt and solid brass hardware.

They're made slowly, one at a time, finished by hand and designed to age beautifully with every walk.

But this collection isn't just about slower days.

Alongside the leather & felt collection, we've also introduced coordinating BioThane® collars and leads, creating a beautifully matched wardrobe for every walk, every season.

Whether it's muddy woodland paths, beach days, rainy mornings or lunch at your favourite village pub, there's a piece designed for the occasion while keeping the same colour story running through it all.

It's a small detail, but one we think makes a collection feel complete.

We've also introduced matching sighthound collars for the first time.

Elegant dogs deserve thoughtfully designed collars too, and we wanted this collection to be available for every shape.

Like every Cotswold Hipster collection, Coral & Charcoal is made in small batches in our workshop.

Working this way allows us to focus on craftsmanship rather than quantity, and it means each limited edition remains just that.

Limited.

We hope this collection becomes part of muddy adventures, favourite walks and memories made together.

Thank you, as always, for supporting our little workshop in the Cotswolds.

Tracy & Mark