Ethnicraft
Based in Boom near Antwerp Ethnicraft constantly seeks to enhance its materials and working methods and coined the word 'emorational' to decribe their design philosophy. This means: rational by design and emotional by the materials used. They've created a range of products intended to be simple but powerful, pure in function and spirit, but attractive to the senses.
Ethnicraft cares about the environmental issues related to the sourcing of wood used in the production of its furniture. At present, Ethnicraft uses carefully reclaimed teak wood in about 60% of its teak furniture products. This reclaimed timber is extracted out of neglected buildings or old warehouses - mainly situated in Central Java. This is a legitimate and responsible source whereby only culturally and historically unimportant buildings are selected. The reclaimed wood is cleaned and cut into the required components before being handed over to wood workers. The salvaged material comes in different sizes. Supports, frames and posts are used in different products, mainly used in dressers, cupboards, and chairs. About 40% of the teak furniture production is using plantation teakwood. These teak plantations were set up on the Isle of Java by the Dutch about 150 years ago. They are now managed by Perum Perhutani, a specialized agency part of the Indonesian government. This agency is managing a strict policy regarding the size and quantity of trees felled each year, as well as the annual replanting. In addition to teak the company also produces furniture in solid European oak and American walnut. This is all sourced for sustainable resources in Europe and America.
The Ethnicraft collection does not possess heavy stylistic elements, thus creating a timeless appeal and compliment many interior styles. The group designs, produces and distributes over 15,000 pieces of furniture a month to more than 30 countries.
