Meubel House: Statement pieces that define a space
By Kaveesha Fernando
Meubel House has a combination of nostalgia and futuristic chic that is intriguing. There are tables made out of old doorways and boats, to convertible chairs that go from chair to ladder with the movement of a few pieces and many things in between. The possibilities seem endless – from creating a warm, rustic living room to a dining room that is both futuristic and classy.
Managing Director of Meubel House Fazal Fausz explains that most of the furniture in store is either reclaimed or recycled. Reclaimed furniture of which the wood has been taken from old furniture such as boats, doorways etc. Recycled furniture is furniture where the pieces of original wood are kept and the rest of the structure is built around this original wood. Fazal handpicks the items in the store himself. However, he cautions that the store is not meant to furnish an entire house. The goal of Meubel House is to provide unique pieces rather than furnishing an entire room. “Here you will find that one statement piece you were looking for that defines the whole room” he says, adding that this is why the store has more furniture suited for living rooms and the outdoors rather than furniture for bedrooms and bathrooms. In fact, most of the pieces are teak wood (which has a natural oil which protects against termites) which means that they will not be damaged in Sri Lankan households even if there are termites.
He walks us through an interesting piece – a table made out of a doorway. The sides of the table consist of wood from the top of the doorway and the rest of the structure has been fitted in with antique wood from various sources. Fazal points out the various layers of paint which have indicate that this doorway has been painted multiple times. In fact, the faded, old wood has a rustic appeal which we are informed that many people pay top dollars, or in this case rupees for. The fact that the wood has already withstood the elements over the years has another added advantage.
The outdoor furniture is also interesting. Outdoor wicker furniture which comes complete – for example, the cushions needed for an outdoor wicker chair are also included. The piece can withstand the constant rain and sunshine which comes with being left outside in Sri Lankan weather as well as being anti-corrosive so that they can be kept on the beach. Fazal informs us that the weave of the chairs is unusual – making them perfect for bungalows and holiday homes. “We buy chairs which are also bought by the European clientele, which means that they have already been vetted for size, design etc.,” he says: the furniture is practical and well-built and of high quality. The fact that they buy the pieces direct from the factory means that the price is less than that of the same pieces when sold in Europe.
Walk into Meubel House and you will undoubtedly find something interesting – from a small vase made from the root of a tree which costs Rs. 2500 to a large piece of furniture which costs close to Rs. 500,000. There will be pieces in all shapes and sizes, even ones which are quite unconventional. There’s a great chance that you will probably find an idea or two on furnishing a new house as well as making an existing one an interesting place to visit.
Meubel House is located at No. 34, Gower Street, Colombo 05. They can be contacted on 011-7470025. You can also visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/meubelhouselk/.