Hi, we’re back! Most of our clients are wood lovers who look for creative ideas to embellish their homes, so we figured it made sense to write a piece about our beautiful handmade wood crafts, our star products! So let’s start by answering some of the most basic questions!
Where are these products made?
All our panels, masks and statuettes are handmade in Bali, which is also called the island of Gods. Having a mixture of Hinduism, Animism, Buddhism and Muslim religions, Balinese craftsmen have a wide array of motives and styles to be inspired from. Most wood panels and carvings are made in the area of Ubud, in the central part of Bali.
What material is used to make the panels?
Our artisans use different types of wood to carve from depending on the type of product and the look or finish they want to deliver. It is worth noting that we do not buy / sell any home décor objects made from rose wood or other woods coming from protected or endangered trees.
Suar wood: also called rain tree wood, this is the most used type of wood for panels. It is known for its robustness and resistance to deterioration. It is also worth noting that the Albizia Saman tree is widely spread and not in danger of extinction.
Decorative panel made from suar wood (model: tree of life)
Albizia wood: considered a soft wood, it is used to make furniture and flooring as well as wood carving objects, like our beautiful Buddha triptychs. The main characteristic of the Paraserianthes falcataria or sengon tree, as it is called in Indonesia, is that it grows very fast and on almost any kind of ground. Its height can reach 7 meters within a year, which is why it has been nicknamed “miracle tree” by Indonesians.
Buddha triptychs made from albizia wood
Crocodile wood (also called satin wood): although its name sounds a bit scary, this white wood gives beautiful results thanks a soft “creamy” finish, similar to ivory. It can sometimes be painted in darker shades to avoid spots over time, just like our magnificent Ganesha statuette. Its tree, the Zanthoxylum rhetsa, belongs to the Rutaceae family and can mostly be found in the Indian subcontinent.
Ganesha statuette made of crocodile wood
MDF (medium density fibre wood) is a great alternative to raw wood to make more affordable panels such as our majestuous bed headboards. It is light and easy to paint thanks to its smoothness. It is also durable and sustainable, which makes it a great choice for small furniture like shelving and storage cabinets.
MDF headboard and decorative panels ready to be shipped!
That's it for the first part of this story about the making of our products! Stay tuned for the next chapter next week!