Introducing the Azkia Range

2013-05-20T01:23:00.002-07:00

Inspired by the ever-popular original RB coffee table, this stylish new range of furniture is developed by designers with a love for woodcuts.

These woodcuts are the little bits of wood collected when making certain pieces of furniture.

They are often too small and may end up as part of accessories or in some cases just used as firewood.

Using woodcuts for good furniture is extremely labour intensive and comes with a host of challenges relating to construction.

However thanks to the success of our first design, the RB coffee table, and a number of our customers with a specific requirement to use wood cuts, a small number of talented craftsmen have become masters in the craft of using woodcuts to make fine furniture.

The Sierra Bar and the TV Cabinet join the RB Coffee table and a number of Table Lamps to become the first items in our new range made from woodcuts.

The Bar and TV cabinets are inspired by our worldwide popular Rustic Range designed by Elizabeth Bain. Each month for at least the next 12 months, we will be introducing new items to add to this range.

The name Azkia (meaning ‘Torch” or “Illumination”) is reflective of HOPE as it gives more opportunity to more craftsmen to earn a living.

As using woodcuts will have a tremendous effect on the earth and in turn future generations, we felt it was apt to name the Range the “Azkia Range”, named after the new born daughter of Yoni of Yoni Art, our furniture manufacturing arm. It is the symbol of hope for future generations.

2013-05-01T00:42:00.002-07:00

Congrats to Our Contest Winners

Home > Our Blog > Blog 1 > Congrats to Our Contest Winners

Last week BFM and Home Treasures were giving away some nifty fruit bowls from the store during Pak Robert’s Interview.
For more information of the unique Teak Root Fruit Bowl, or “Dulang Erosi” as it is also known, click here:

http://www.hometreasures.com.my/product-gallery/collectibles/one-of-a-kind/481/2011/06/erosi/

Congratulations to the winners, all of whom stopped by our store to pick up their unique new bowls!

Desmond

Alex (being presented his prize by our Lead Design Consultant Faizal)

Jeffrey and family

2013-04-30T05:36:00.002-07:00

Mohd Faizal Mohamed Bakri

Home Treasures

“In a land filled with craftsmen only few create art worthy of

being called Home Treasures,” said the first ever Home Treasures advertisement. More than a decade later, Home Treasures has established itself as a brand with a keen eye for craft and design, creating intricate and beautifully constructed wooden furniture. The brands success can be attributed to the legacy of its owner Robert Bain, and his company’s penchant for picking out and nurturing designers who understand his vision for the future and the need for the preservation of craftsmanship and carpentry.

It is no surprise Mohd Faizal Mohamed Bakri considers himself privileged to be a part of the inspired and artistic Home Treasures family. As furniture designer for the internationally recognised brand, the 41-year-old husband and father of three joined company a year into its inception, watching it grow to the heights that it has now achieved. Malaysia Tatler Homes sits down with Faizal as he opens up about his life, the success of Home Treasures and his hope to stay with the company for years to come and continue the Bain legacy.

Tell us about your design background.

It was my grandfather who first introduced me to the art of carpentry. Watching my grandfather hard at work as a carpenter cultivated in me a fascination and appreciation for the entire design process involving wood. I do not have much formal training, but I guess it’s to safe say timber design is in the blood.

How long have you been with Home Treasures? Tell us about your experience designing for the company thus far.

I started with Home Treasures in 1999 not as a designer but as a retail consultant. At first, it was not very different from my previous job in the retail industry, only that I immediately felt at ease with Home Treasures and found the working environment more comfortable and suited for me.

My career as a designer began when I was fortunate to be exposed to all aspects of the design and manufacturing process during the production of Mrs Elizabeth Bain’s first Home Treasures collection, which was produced by Mr Robert Bain in their factory in Indonesia and exported via the trade shows in Jakarta. I saw the great success they had supplying the collection to 15 countries all over the world, and was very proud of this big achievement for the company.

This exposure helped me to really understand what goes behind each teakwood design and inspired me to design my own pieces when customers asked for something special. The Bains encouraged my growth and over the years, I made my name through referrals. Over the years I gained the confidence of customers and finally became the design consultant for Home Treasures.

What makes a Home Treasures design so unique, bringing it so much success and why do your creations stand out in terms of design and function?

Home Treasures is the vehicle that bridges modern designers and decorators with the traditional skills of proper carpentry to create unique masterpieces. We use solid wood instead of modern materials like ply, chipboard and medium-density fibreboard. We bring a modern touch to classic designs and we also cater for the inherent characteristics of solid wood like expansion and contraction. Most of all, the brand takes a lot of responsibility in choosing the right talent to design for our clients.

What do you design for Home Treasures?

Most of my designs are very specific made-to-order pieces. I have also designed special pieces of furniture when I feel I want to meet a particular need or to tell a story as a form of my own creative expression. Inspired by a quote a customer once told me, that ‘every piece tells a story’, I strive to make each piece I design, a conversational piece.

As a designer, what are the aspects that you take into account when you are developing a design?

To me, a made-to-order design starts with finding out what is the purpose of the furniture or accessory to the customer. I consider who is going to use it, how often it will be used, where it will be placed and if it is a more decorative piece or a fully functional one. Once I have understood its purpose, I then try to blend the design of the piece with the style and decor of the rest of the room.

Do you have to take into account any special details or techniques when designing with teakwood?

With solid wood, the first and most important consideration is the expansion and contraction inherently characteristic of the wood itself. The next thing you have to look into is how to blend the strength of the wood with the beauty of the design. You need strength for function but it must show the grace and the beauty of natural wood. Other details that need to be established will be the type and texture of the wood and of course the time frame and budget allotted for the project.

Tell us about the quality of the teakwood used and preserved for a Home Treasures design? What does maintenance of wooden furniture involve?

Only mature teakwood from sustainable sources is used in any of our designs. No rainforest is cut and only plantation wood is used. Whenever we can, we use recycled wood. Maintenance is generally very simple. Indoors, all that is needed is a wipe with a wet cloth. Outdoors, if proper finish is used, a good oil or wax will delay the fading of the finish but all finishes, exposed to the elements, will turn teak to a silvery grey - which I love. But if you need to re-finish your piece, then that too can be done.

What are some of your proudest Home Treasures designs?

From my personal range, I am proud that the simple 4-poster bed I designed and the Faizal art deco sedan chair have become popular items. I am also proud to be part of the collaboration in Mr Bain’s White Wash Range and the Yoni Art Rustic Range.

What does it take to become a designer? What advice would you give to young aspiring designers?

It takes a lot of passion. A designer must also be true to the customer and help them find what works best for them. Many designers can’t find someone to make their designs come to life. So my advice to young aspiring designers is to link to people who can produce. Like the link I have with Home Treasures.

What do you see for the future of teakwood furniture, and Home Treasures?

I will just keep to what I know; the highest value in furniture ownership is to have something that is your own. Make to order something from your heart. My plan is to be part of new generation that will continue the Bain Legacy.

Faizal Bakri

Introducing the Azkia Range

Congrats to Our Contest Winners