Ethnicraft

Ethnicraft

The story of Ethnicraft begins in 1995 in Antwerp. Philippe Delaisse arrives with a container of furniture from Indonesia. Each piece was hand-selected and solidly built. Soon, people were lining up at the harbor to buy them. Interest grew quickly. He partnered with his friend Benoit Loos, and together they began producing their own furniture, focusing on solid wood and simple, functional design. Nothing more – but nothing less either.

Today, Ethnicraft is an established name in international furniture design. Yet the foundation remains the same: natural materials, clear form, and furniture built to be used, not just displayed.

The material

Wood holds an essential place. Oak, teak, and walnut are used in solid form, revealing traces of their natural origins. The grain is visible, the weight is felt, and the surface has a tactile presence. The material is treated with care, often only as much as necessary. It is allowed to age in its own rhythm. That process becomes part of its character.

All wood comes from sustainable sources. Production takes place in the company’s own workshops, mainly in Indonesia and Serbia. This allows Ethnicraft to maintain true control over quality, working conditions, and resource management.

The design

The design is discreet, but never anonymous. Quite the opposite. The pieces have a distinct identity, expressed in a calm and balanced way. Soft corners, clear lines, no surprises, and no unnecessary additions.

Take, for example, Osso – a dining table designed by Grain and Green. Rounded legs, curved edges, an expression that is both generous and structured. Or M Rack by Alain van Havre, inspired by Piet Mondrian’s grid but executed entirely in wood. A piece that works equally well as a bookshelf or a room divider, depending on its context. The N701 series by Jacques Deneef also reflects Ethnicraft’s work with materials, proportions, and function, where modular construction is combined with soft shapes and flexible use.

Behind every detail lies a clear intention, but nothing feels contrived. Ethnicraft creates furniture meant to live in a home – not in an exhibition.

The philosophy

Ethnicraft describes its approach as “emorational design” – a balance between the emotional and the rational. The furniture should be felt, but also function. It’s a philosophy that runs through the entire collection.

This is not design that changes quickly, but design that lasts. That stands firm year after year. That wears with dignity and gains presence over time rather than fading.

Production and responsibility

By owning its own production, Ethnicraft ensures that every piece is made with the same precision – whether it’s a table, a sideboard, or a nightstand. That level of consistency is rare in this part of the industry, but it shows in the result.

Respect for material goes hand in hand with respect for the environment. Ethnicraft continuously works to reduce its impact – through material sourcing, energy use, and waste management. Several collections are already FSC-certified, with the goal that all products will soon meet that standard.

Ethnicraft at NOGA

We have chosen Ethnicraft because what they do is clear. Furniture that doesn’t try to be something it’s not. Pieces that work – practically, visually, and materially. And that endure. In quality, in expression, and over time.

The collection we present at NO GA is curated with that in mind. Furniture to build a home around. Not to fill space, but to serve a purpose. A sideboard that gives things their place. A table where conversations can unfold slowly. A desk where one truly wants to sit.

Ethnicraft doesn’t need much to make an impression. Material, form, and integrity are enough. That’s what we appreciate. And that’s why it belongs here. A clear example of this is the Bok series by Alain van Havre – a collection where construction, proportions, and materials take center stage, without unnecessary additions.