HOMEWOOD’S HEARTFELT STORY OF SUSTAINABILITY

Deeply embedded into Homewood’s philosophy is the idea of sustainability. For them, it’s not just an afterthought for their custom furniture manufacturing business, but it’s something that has been with them from the very start, which they have founded their entire business upon. It’s a feeling that resonates deep in the heart of Homewood’s founder, Ian Perry. He finds great meaning in his craft and has a deep-seated passion for the environment.

“It’s a love and a respect for the wonderful raw material we use. Our goal is not to abuse and exploit our natural environment but rather to highlight and expand it. By carefully utilising and proudly displaying the natural beauty of trees and, ultimately, wood in our furniture and smalls range, we are hopefully educating the public and creating that same awareness and appreciation,” says award-winning furniture designer, Ian Perry. “Our love of the environment starts with us, the employees of Homewood. All of us enjoy the outdoors and it’s this that creates the desire to protect it… I think.”

Homewood’s furniture crafting journey all starts with sourcing the right tree. They firmly believe in only using alien invasive hardwoods, as this means that these trees will be removed from indigenous environments. And when most manufacturers would only use part of the tree, Homewood use as much of it as possible. In fact, 90% of the tree is often deemed as unusable for furniture production because of knots or variation in grain.

However, while these sections may be viewed as undesirable by some, they are celebrated by Homewood, giving their furniture a special wabi-sabi beauty.

Homewood also make use of factory offcuts by making what they call ‘smalls’ – small everyday household items such as chopping boards, hat racks and trays – furthering their aim towards protecting the environment with minimal waste. www.homewood.co.za