Pampanga-based furniture maker Genteelhome has launched Sibol, the first series of the Burned Collection, featuring uniquely designed wooden pieces.
Founder Katrina Blanca de Leon told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that Sibol, which means emergence or awakening, is showing pieces of the collection.
“It’s about growth, but not the normal kind of growth, not the natural kind of growth. It’s about growing pressure for change through challenge,” said Ms. de Leon.
“The burnt collection is not just about burnt wood, it’s about change,” he added. “It’s about us connecting with you that allows the process to happen, making space in our lives, and trusting that what emerges will have its own kind of hope.”
Ms. de Leon noted that Filipino artisans create each piece of furniture in the collection. “Normally, we hire an untrained artisan, and we train them. We have our own training team or training department to really develop the artisan.”
The signature charred look, with various cracks, highlights the light brown to dark brown look created by burning the wood with a blue flame using a torch-like tool.
“You have to get a green flame, then there is a distance, and then you have to let that fire stay on the wood for a certain time, depending on the size of the wood,” said Ms. de Leon.
“It is very important to be precise in what you do because one mistake, the end will look different,” he added.
The hardness of the wood also plays an important role in achieving the burnt look.
“The project planner will calculate it. For example, it’s like 80×1.4, we already have time there,” he said. So during the R&D process, we already have swatches to color, so there is a recipe for each process.”
Most of the pieces in the collection, such as the tables and chairs, are made from locally sourced mahogany wood, especially in Batangas, Mindanao, and around the world. The company also uses “leftovers” to promote sustainability.
“We keep our leftovers and we put it together and we make it,” he said. “Our goal at Genteelhome is to completely waste, and that’s why we are serious about how we can decorate our leftovers.”
Genteelhome is expected to release several new collections this year, each designed to bring unique personality, depth, and character to homes and living spaces.
“This year, our brand Genteelhome goes deep into exploring how these pieces can live in all different forms, cabinets, tables, chairs, and how they can translate into functional and emotional pieces,” said Ms. de Leon.
“When you buy furniture for the house, it should be something you will connect with,” he added. “It should be something you can meet.” – Almira Louise S. Martinez
