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“Climate change around the world is real and it is happening every day,” explains JL Jackson, co-founder. “The furniture industry historically has been responsible for harvesting a lot of our forests.” We are at the forefront of the movement to utilize reclaimed teak wood from old buildings in Indonesia.”
Global Surroundings purchases old homes in Java, Indonesia made of old teak wood. The Indonesian families then get a new brick home, once only a dream. “We buy and dismantle their house, re-using every part to create our furniture,” explains Jackson. “We will use the front door of an old home and add that into an armoire. Old floor boards are used in constructing beautiful dining tables. We are constantly seeking new ways to use the existing materials.”
Every part of this old home is used except the tile roof.
“Incorporating eco-friendly furniture into your own home is one way socially and environmentally conscious consumers can share in the passion for treating our natural environment with respect,” adds Jackson. “We contribute to a better world by pursuing sustainability and being eco-friendly."
These young girls and the mother and son are standing in front of old homes approximately 60-80 years old. Global Surroundings compensates them for their old wood. They then add on to their home with very sought-after and durable brick.
An existing home that has been added onto to with new brick from the original teak home.
Jackson notes an increase in consumer demand for socially responsible furniture. “People see the climate changing and they want to do their own part to help minimize the environmental impact of cutting down the rainforest,” explains Jackson. “Using reclaimed wood just makes sense”.
Old teak pillars ready to be hand-crafted into both indoor and outdoor furniture.
Various old doors can be incorporated into the front of a cabinet or armoire.
Our craftsmen are all natives of the region. Our goal is to provide beautiful furniture without harm to the region's ecology, or the people and their traditions. Each craftsman has a skill set handed down over the years.
Carving and staining by hand are the trademarks of top quality furniture manufacturing.
Our workshop is located in a village setting surrounded by a river and shaded by bamboo groves and giant fruit trees. It provides a peaceful and quiet setting where the craftsmen can concentrate on producing their handcrafted furniture. Most of the workers live on site in two village homes provided by the factory. Meals are also provided by the factory and are cooked by a neighbor.
By using wood from old homes, Global Surroundings leaves beautiful valleys like this, untouched for future generations to enjoy.
To learn more about the production process, click here.
About Global Surroundings, LLC: As the global leader in ecologically friendly furniture, Global Surroundings is a designer, manufacturer and importer. JL and Jay Jackson founded Global Surroundings in 1998 after living and traveling several years throughout S.E. Asia. They purchase old teak homes in Java, Indonesia. Global Surroundings builds new furniture from old wood and natural fibers without damage to the rainforest or the people’s homeland.
Global Surroundings sells only to the trade. If you are an end user and would like to know of a retailer close to you, please contact us and we will direct you. If you are a retailer or an interior designer, we will sell and ship individual pieces from our Phoenix warehouse or containers direct from our factory to you.
If you are in the Phoenix area and you would like to see our warehouse, please contact us at jl@globalsurroundings.com or call us at PH: # 480-543-8888. Thank you for visiting us.
JL & Jay Jackson
