Handsome and durable, these four local furniture brands craft contemporary hardwood pieces to treasure
The appeal of wood furniture is timeless. Its warmth adds visual weight, especially to the more austere style favoured in modern homes.
Hardwood, in particular, is always prized for its beautiful woodgrain, not to mention its strength and durability. In the hands of the right craftsmen, hardwood can be transformed into furniture that will age with grace.
From a Penang-based brand committed to celebrating Malaysian timber to a company offering one-off pieces made of salvaged wood, here are four local furniture companies that design and craft natural, aesthetic pieces that last a lifetime.
Read more: 6 tips for creating a living room inspired by nature
Balak's
Balak's is a relatively new brand started in 2020 by Lucas Eng, whose family has been in the woodworking business since the mid-1990s.
Based in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, the 20-something was looking for a way to pivot the family business, which specialised in hardwood wooden doors, during the pandemic and decided to move into making work desks since most of the office workforce were moving towards WFH over the lockdowns.
While Eng had the basic infrastructure to start an enterprise like Balak's, he had to create a product that would be uniquely theirs. This would be Meja, a sit-stand desk adjustable via a motor and crafted from handpicked eco raw timber. Also, he chose to work on a B2C model by marketing his products directly to consumers via the company's website.
