Sustainable initiatives, whether in lifestyle or politics, have taken India by storm this year. The point of adopting a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle is to acquire items that are good for the environment in the long run, meaning that they are durable, which helps us cut down on our wastefulness, and when they will be disposed off, they will cause little to no harm to the environment because of their biodegradable and organic properties. With Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Pujo, Diwali, and Christmas, India is officially in festival season and our waste and pollution levels will be at an all time high. So, to do your bit for the environment by taking a small step towards sustainability, here’s a list of 4 sustainable furniture stores you should visit:
A furniture store that became operational from its Sun Mills Compound location in 2014, BARO has become one of the most well-known stores producing upcycled, bespoke, and whimsical furniture. Recently, Srila Chatterjee and Siddharth Sirohi from BARO collaborated with Ritu and Surya Singh from WOLF Jaipur to put up an exciting exhibition called “THRU’ THE LOOKING GLASS.” For this, Baro and WOLF Jaipur curated designers and collectives like Brigitte Singh who is the only block printer to use water filtered through organic processes, Pulp Factory that recycles newspaper to create paper textiles, Shed that uses reclaimed wood and other materials for homeware, and Shirley Bhatnagar who uses stoneware for stunning anthropomorphic tableware. “Everything in this exhibition is made from upcycled or found materials. Everything has new life. History is much nicer,” says Srila fondly of the exhibits. Other than this particular showcase, BARO’s quirky store is stuffed with some of the most beautifully crafted, rustic and vintage pieces you will ever lay your eyes on, and the best part is that these beds, side tables, and other furniture are made from reclaimed wood with natural polish.
BARO can be reached at info@baro-india.com or on 022-40344888 and WOLF Jaipur can be reached at howl@wolfjaipur.com or on +91-9828023030.
Sylyn Studio is “India’s only design label specialised in handcrafted décor products.” Their products are made from corrugated cardboard, burlap, and recycled materials that exude the spirit of craftsmanship, sustainability, and durability. According to the brand’s website, Sylvn Studio has worked with clients in the hospitality and corporate sectors like Etsy, Raymond, Mc. Donald’s, and The Bombay Store. Their range of sustainable décor includes hanging lamps, gourd lamps, floor lamps, metal antique, and larger pieces of furniture. The Studio also has particularly artistic collections like The Galaxy Range that attempts to bring a celestial feel to headboards, wall, paneling, and other elements of furniture.
The store can be reached at contact@sylvnstudio.com or on +91 740 006 9593.
Founded by Aakriti Kumar in 2014, Differniture “embraces an alternative and sustainable approach to design.” As an alumna of the product design programme at Parsons the New School for Design, Aakriti aims to integrate artisanship and functionality into her pieces. Her zero waste or “minimal waste design” philosophy is implemented by her atelier constructing pieces with reclaimed and salvaged materials and natural, non-toxic oils and waxes. Their range of products is vast– from coffee tables and benches to chairs and mirrors. Their designs are fascinating, as well; the store has a side table that looks like a waterfall in motion and a “popsicle” side table that has legs that look like long popsicles.
This store is based in New Delhi and can be reached at differniture@gmail.com.
This store isn’t shy about advertising its furniture at all. “We at Ubyld have an immense range of beautiful selects, from a simple book shelf to a jaw dropping Wardrobes and more,” says its website. All their furniture is made with upcycled pine wood and has a rustic, chic vibe. Their wood is “handpicked” from vendors and refined by sanding and cutting in their craft workshops. From beautifully polished side tables and cabinets to outdoor patio seating and sofa sets, Ubyld forwards the DIY spirit by delivering you its furniture kits with instructions for easy assembly (with no drilling). Pre-assembled furniture can only be bought at their Bangalore store.
This store can be reached at maker@ubyld.com or on +91-9108299305 or +91-9845736237.
An initiative of a Mumbai-based entrepreneur, Haresh Mehta, Paper Shaper is sustainable furniture store making lightweight, durable goods out of corrugated cardboard as alternatives to plastic and metal furniture. At his son’s wedding, a true believer in sustainability, Haresh replaced traditional velvet seating with cardboard furniture like chairs, tables, and decorative lamps. Paper Shaper produces chairs and tables, stools and sofa sets, beds and cradles, and other storage like boxes, shelves, and racks. Interestingly, they even make colourful, children’s furniture and miniature cardboard coffins for pets “to help them leave the world in a dignified and eco-friendly way as these boxes decompose faster than wooden ones,” says Better India.
The store’s website in under construction, but you can reach it on jaynapkg@gmail.com or at 91222514 4038.
This Mumbai-based furniture store believes that wood is the best material to use when building furniture. “Wood not only lends itself marvelously to renewal but in its second avatar it significantly matures into an even more stable, durable and beautiful material. Our carpenters first reclaim this wood and then hand craft it into perfectly joined furniture,” says the website. The store reclaims wood from structures like old homes and shops and repurposes them into classy pieces of home décor. Inspired by Bombay’s local climate and materials, Sadaya Guild’s craftsmanship gravitates towards “modernist aesthetic for lounge and dining furniture.”
This store can be reached on info@sadayaguild.com, sales@sadayaguild.com or +91 9619387492.
Started by Anu Tandon Vieira who specialised in sculpture at the National Institute of Design (NID), Retyrement Plan deals in chairs, pouffes, charpais, and floor cushions. Her technicolour and beautifully eye-catching products are made in collaboration with local artisans and weavers. “From market and client driven briefs to working on something that is good for my soul and makes a difference to even a few craftsmen was the birth of The Retyrement Plan. Translating traditional textiles, and using art as inspiration for our mood boards was the way forward,” Anu tells Good Homes. From using waste rope to tyre pieces, Retyrement Plan’s products are as pretty as they are sustainable.
Feature image by: Pulp Factory Studio and The Retyrement Plan
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