About Kolour Cafe
What began as a creative hobby in Japan has grown into a thriving online independent stationery shop in the UK. Kolour Cafe started in a small bedroom, fuelled by a love of planning, thoughtful design and the support of a wonderful community.
The journey started in 2021
While working as an English teacher in Japan, Ahleen discovered planning almost by accident. Simple note-taking to support her Japanese studies gradually became a creative outlet, inspiring her to design personalised dashboards for her own planner.
For years, it remained a casual hobby. Then, in 2021, her business partner and now close friend, Karen, asked her to create a custom dashboard for her planner. That one request sparked something bigger, transforming a quiet creative pastime into a growing passion and planting the first seed of Kolour Cafe.
Relocating to the UK
After moving to the UK to live with her partner, Ahleen continued teaching remotely for her Japanese employer while building Kolour Cafe alongside her work.
As the shop began to grow and attract a loyal community of stationery lovers, Ahleen reached an important turning point. She decided not to renew her teaching contract and took a leap of faith, dedicating herself fully to Kolour Cafe.
From its humble beginnings in a small bedroom, the business has since grown into a thriving, community-driven stationery shop centred around creativity, self-expression and the simple joy of planning.
Kolour Cafe is just getting started
Kolour Cafe continues to grow, with fresh designs and new products brewed every month. Whether you are decorating your planner, organising your days or simply treating yourself to something colourful, we hope you find stationery that inspires you.
Become part of the Kolour Cafe story. Your next stationery obsession may be only a click or two away.
Meet the team
Saving ephemera, designing things, the family business, iykyk.
Mitch
Carrier of parcels
Knows all of the local posties by name.
Isabella
Quality Assurance
Responsible for when products go missing.
Clive
Head of security
You'll find him patrolling, keeping everything safe.
Bonnie
Intern
Doesn't yet really quite understand what's going on.