So if you haven’t heard, Vulcan Post is moving office! And sometimes it feels like we’re a blushing newlywed couple making that big step of moving into our very own home.
It can be exciting—two minutes before you’re drowning in a sea of documents, agreements and designs that you have to sign off on.
And part of these efforts involves getting some nice furniture to spruce up our new office.
So that’s where this article comes from.
But in our search for the bachelorette to our furniture-seeking bachelor, we discovered quite a number of eco-friendly custom furniture makers in Malaysia, ready to both do their part to save the environment, and also produce interestingly charming pieces of furniture that are no less classy, for everything from office spaces, homes, and yes—cafes.
1. Biji Biji Initiative
With the catchy, catch-all catchphrase of “We make things”, Biji Biji Initiative does well at custom because their woodworking is not limited to furniture. They have built unique displays for events, smart LED displays, art installations, decor and furniture. And they do all of this using sustainable items. They even have a live counter on their site of how many ‘trashed’ items that they’ve reused.
Their recycled works boasts a sense of creativity that seems to befit the hipsterest of hipster cafe’s. But as mentioned, they do produce customised furniture upon client request.
2. Casa Bella Designs
With a wide variety of designs that range from contemporary to simple and clean with a twist, Casa Bella Designs‘ advantage lies in the sheer variety of slightly different designs that would appeal to the more persnickety subsection of the population looking for specific designs.
Not all of their designs (both custom and pre-designed) use fully repurposed timber, so they do work with wicker, teak, stainless steel and synthetic rattan. If your goal is to remain completely eco-friendly, do make sure you clarify with them before buying.
3. Harith Green Carpenter
Harith Ridzuan saw a need for wood upcycling, noticing that many furniture buyers depend on new timber. As a seasoned woodworker, he decided to then incorporate reclaimed materials into his designs.
As it says in the name, they have a green focus on their designs, but Harith’s skill shows in their woodworking designs which showcase a lot of artistry and restraint.
They are also now experimenting with Malaysian-grown bamboo planks for an eco-friendly option that is greener than the traditional timber.
4. Second Charm
Other that repurposing wood in their quirky vintage designs, Second Charm engages in incorporating actual vintage materials, be it into their designs, or sold as separate pieces. They also provide restoration and reupholstery services as part of their eco-friendly drive to benefit the environment.
Their new designs blend in nicely with their more vintage offerings, showcasing their quirky design sense. Definitely the guys to look for if you’re looking for a conversation piece in your home, especially for the custom repurposed designs.
5. KayuBesi
As an environmentally-friendly social enterprise, KayuBesi aims to reduce waste by reusing wood pallets that would otherwise be chucked away by factories in Kajang.
This allows the team to produce rustic and interesting furniture that gains its dimension from the arrangement of different shades of wood pallets.
The designs they present are down-to-earth and straight-to-the-point. But as all companies compiled in this list, they do take on custom designs either based on the different dimensions that your space may require, or perhaps if you have any ideas for creating wood pallet imaginative pieces.
6. Lishasahar Furniture
If Kayubesi reuses wood pallets, then Lishasahar’s work is made out of reclaimed pine, which is lighter and more tender type of wood. It is also reclaimed, meaning that it was salvaged from old barns, factories and warehouses.
Another one for the Hipster Cafe Hall Of Fame, their work combines the best of simple woodwork, supported by delicate metalwork.
7. Porniture Woodwerk
Run by a husband and wife duo, Porniture Woodwerk specialises in custom-made furniture and offers the added specialty of designing unique playgrounds for pets as well, particularly the fun cat bungalows.
It’s easy to see why the pair has gained so much traction for their furkid playground, and as an added bonus, their works are also made with reclaimed pinewood.
8. The Perfect Fusion
Perfect Fusion also offers a wider array of wood and materials to build their custom designs with, but part of those materials does feature reclaimed teak wood furniture. But, as per the other items in this list, they are also inclined to custom designed furniture.
The designs featured are current, and plays a lot with strong, vertical lines. The teak wood does offer a bigger sense of regality, and is also more sturdy as furniture make material, which allows for more longevity. For traditionalists who prefer reliable furniture that will stay with you more long term will better appreciate these pieces that are simple enough that they will age well.
9. Palleture
Another huzzah for environmentally sustainable furniture, because Palleture takes its gander at turning reclaimed cargo pallets into furniture, similar to KayuBesi. But where KayuBesi reigns in a rustic charm, Palleture approaches its design with a more sophisticated touch. The appeal of their designs lie in the combination of different kinds of wood, like pine, oak, cedar, teak and maple and making use of different colours and textures.
As long as you’re okay with reclaimed timber, Palleture is able to customise any furniture (at least, according to their site).
10. ZVW +4inci3hun
With a cool and sleek design sense, these guys incorporate reused materials, pallet and steel for their designs to produce simple, minimalistic yet bold looks (if a tad uncomfortable to sit on)
Each piece of furniture is one-of-a-kind, and customised for different clients based on what they want, and the repurposed nature of the true materials can either be pronounced, or kept on a classier note.
On top of their woodworking, the team also offers interior design services.
Feature Image Credit: Lishasahar furniture
