Beach time: Harmonie tienda de foutas

Nicely stacked along the wall the foutas at Harmonie come in countless bright shades, pattern and sizes. It’s hard to make a choice but once you took a fouta to the beach you will never return to those heavy, faded terry cloth towels. I like to use my fouta as a blanket, for a picnic or to cover me up. It also makes a nice sun sail, and I’ve even seen kids building a tent with a fouta. Originally, foutas were essentials in the Arab bathing culture, ancient must-haves, so to speak. And like many classics they are making a big comeback right now.

The funny thing is I already owned a fouta before I even knew what it was called. A few years ago I had bought this beautiful handwoven towel because I fell in love with its turquoise color. Over time the soft versatile cloth became the ideal companion for my travels. But I only learned about its name and origin when I discovered Harmonie tienda de foutas. The unique store is hidden in a lovely side street between Plaça Cort and Plaça Coll that houses a number of small precious shops worth to discover.

Next to the large variety of foutas Harmonie offers a nice choice of home decor. Like matching pillow cases or eco-certified tea towels made from cotton and bambu. During the summer months Franck Chambaudet and Laurence Lecuyer regularly swap their tienda de foutas for a stand on the island’s markets in Santanyi and in Porto Cristo. Made from finest Egyptian cotton Harmonie’s foutas are traditionally produced in small manufactories in Tunisia. Where over the centuries the making of foutas has developed into a craft handed down and cultivated from generation to generation. The Tunisian foutas are still made in a joint effort: the men weave the fabrics, the women finish the cloths by hand. They twirl and knot the fringes, the typical feature of the fouta.

Reclining on my fouta at the beach and reading a book I don’t even want to think about the end of summer. While the fouta mostly serves as an outdoor mat Harmonie tienda de foutas’ blankets keep you warm on a winter’s day on the sofa. I really love the ones from La Maison du Plaid, they come in soft colors and are most cuddly. Even a chilly evening in an apartment without heating can be cozy that way. But fortunately we still have plenty of sunny days ahead of us.