LAS VEGAS—Eco Exotic, a group of Indonesian furnishing companies, will unveil a new set of sustainable creations at the Hospitality Design and Exposition Conference in Las Vegas (May 14-16) that marry innovative designs, attractive pricing—and a deep-rooted respect for nature.
Rather than use timber from native rainforests, Eco Exotic has turned to more sustainable sources of wood for its furniture. This is how discarded railway sleepers find a new life when artfully turned into a simple glass-top occasional table, and teak sourced from a community-based forest provides the essence of an elegant lounge chair or desk chair for a hotel guestroom.
“At Eco Exotic, we are constantly focused on crafting new designs that use natural materials without degrading the environment,” says Budi Virgono of PT. Lunar, one of the Eco Exotic member companies. One example is the company’s signature lamp series, made from tree clippings that the company has recycled from legal teak plantations.
Furniture Meets Strict Quality Standards
Innovation has not led at the expense of other defining values. Eco Exotic products—from chairs and tables made from salvaged wood to chandeliers fashioned out of the dry branches—are always designed to meet the rigorous quality standards of international clients.
Eco Exotic’s sustainability values extend to the use of rapidly-renewable natural materials that grow in abundance in Central Java, such as bamboo, mendong and water hyacinths. Eco Exotic’s artisans expertly transform these plants into durable designs with water-based glues and nontoxic paints, ensuring that natural products stay natural throughout production.
Several Eco Exotic members are already certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for their sustainable wood sourcing methods, while others will soon conform to stringent standards set by the Sustainable Furnishing Council (SFC). These practices are crucial; they ensure that Eco Exotic members exclude illegal wood from their products, reducing pressure on Indonesia’s threatened rainforests. Eco Exotic’s product line can also contribute points toward LEED certification.
Research shows that the market is ready for Eco Exotic products. According to a 2008 study by the Sustainable Furniture Council in the United States, 33 percent of respondents would choose a sustainable product if the design is the same as other products, and most would pay a premium of up to 10 percent.
Eco Exotic will be in booth 6128 at the expo.
