Have you noticed that there exists a greater desire for awareness about the things we consume? From the food we eat, to the clothing we wear, to the materials from which our furniture is made, many of us seek the history of the product before it reaches the shop floor and this in turn may influence our decision to buy (or not). This movement in awareness is heartening as it means that more of us are becoming conscious consumers. Armed with this information we can decide whether we are comfortable with our decision to purchase and eat particular food, wear particular clothing and buy particular furniture, for instance. This in turn makes the manufacturer more accountable and (hopefully) more conscious in making better choices for the quality of their product, better conditions for their employees and ideally, a positive environmental benefit will also result.

By being aware of the history of our purchases, we can not only enjoy the aesthetic of a product, but our purchase will also sit more easily in our conscience, with the knowledge that it was made with consideration for the bigger picture.

Here we feature ETHNICRAFT; the first of three companies in our Sustainable Furniture series. Each company has a sustainable and ethical approach to the manufacture of their furniture. And although each has a different story to tell, they share a common philosophy.

We hope you enjoy.

*Kenalkan  Prisca d’Oultremont - General Manager for Ethnicraft Retail - Indonesia

How long have you been involved with Ethnicraft?
One and a half years. I am Belgian and have a background in Sustainable Development. Ethnicraft is a Belgian company who designs, manufactures and sells solid wood furniture across the globe. We currently have 2 stores in Jakarta.

What is the Ethnicraft ethos?
In our designs, we go back to what is the essence of good furniture: we aim for impeccable craftsmanship to create sustainable pieces full of character, made of solid wood that ages beautifully. All of our furniture is made with a passion for pure lines and respect for the wood itself.

Where does Ethnicraft get inspiration for its design?
Our designs are very much inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian architecture as well as traditional craftsmanship. The aim is to create a timeless product, yet with a hint to the specific moment in which it is made. We are always influenced by the past; however, it is up to us to find the right balance between past and present.

Please describe the Ethnicraft style
I would describe the Ethnicraft style as naturally elegant and easy chic. Solid wood brings that authentic, warm and natural feeling to any room and ensures a design remains timeless.

Where does Ethnicraft source its sustainable materials?
We source both plantation and recycled teak wood from Indonesia, where the best quality teak wood can be found. Plantation wood comes from sustainably managed forests that are FSC certified. This means that the plantation adheres to strict felling and replanting policies every year.

"Sustainability is central to everything we do... from the sourcing of our materials to the production of our furniture and wellbeing of our employees"

Please tell us about the move towards using sustainable materials in Indonesia

Sustainability is central to everything we do in Ethnicraft, from the sourcing of our materials to the production of our furniture and wellbeing of our employees. Our move to sustainable materials in Indonesia was not an easy one as we had to adjust to higher prices. We also had to find the right suppliers to meet our quality standards, but also our needs as we are one of the largest buyers of teak wood in the country. However, although the supply of sustainably certified materials has considerably increased in the country over the last few years, there is still much confusion and lack of transparency in the different certification methods used.

What advice can you give those who are keen to use local materials in their home decorating?

Local materials are great additions to room decoration. Often cheaper, they also help to support the local economy. When buying goods from local materials for home decoration, I would advise you first make sure that you know the condition of the material. Will it survive heat and humidity or a change in climate? In terms of design, I would recommend you to keep it simple. Don’t try to mix ten different materials together, but focus on a few that complement each other well so that they stand out better.

Do you feel that the average consumer's attitude towards the use of local, sustainable materials has changed during your time in this area?

I feel that there is a strong and exciting grassroots movement growing in Indonesia right now in favour of local materials. This is especially evident in the rise of startups promoting and focusing on local sourcing (in terms of ingredients, fabric, wood,…). However, consumers’ concern here for sustainable material sourcing seems to be progressing more slowly. Better education in this domain is urgently needed in the country.

Ethnicraft Stores Indonesia

Radio Dalam Store
Jalan Radio Dalam, No.50
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta

BSD City Store
Jalan Letnan Sutopo, KOM IIB
Blok III B1-F, BSD City
Tangerang, Banten

  +62 81382458930

W Ethnicraft 

F Ethnicraft

*Kenalkan - Let me introduce..

 Words: Jo Stevens and Liz McClean    Photography: Ethnicraft Indonesia and Nita Strudwick Photography