Cudding up with an eco-friendly cushion
Bua Bhat Factory in Chiang Mai uses cast-offs from garment factory for its innovative range of home design products
One of the best known outlets in Thailand’s design industry, the Bua Bhat Factory in Chiang Mai has been turning out home decor accessories from recycled items for more than two decades. The eco-friendly manufacturer also plays a major role in supporting the community, employing local women and preserving the traditional lifestyles of surrounding villages.
In business since 1987, Bua Bhat is the brainchild of Wilai Paichitkanjanakul, whose parents set up Chiang Mai’s first Lanna textile store.
After graduating from Chiang Mai University, Wilai headed off on a study tour of textile factories in Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Philippines and Taiwan. Impressed by their emphasis on tradition, she returned home and laid the foundation stone for her own cotton mill.
“My father used to teach weaving in Lamphun. He later went on to open his own shop in Chiang Mai and called it Bua Bhat meaning sunflower. I was never really involved in the business and it wasn’t until I visited those textile mills abroad that I realised I had inherited his love for fabrics”, says Wilai. “I also wanted to help our local artisans in developing and selling their designs, while ensuring that traditions that had been passed down through the generations were not lost.”
Business flourished for the first five years but hit a low in 1992 when cotton prices soared and international clients called a halt to orders. Wilai started to look at alternatives and quickly realised that scraps of fabric could be turned into artistic handmade rugs, stools and other items.
In 1998, she brought a range of her eco-friendly products to the Bangkok International Gift and Houseware Fairs and her order book was quickly filled by international traders eager to sell her custom-made wares.
Today, Wilai produces her line of home decoration accessories from the cast-offs of garment factories in the north as well as Bangkok.
“We’ve also showcased our collections in the Maison & Objet at Paris in 2009 and 2010. The feedback from shoppers at international fairs helps us develop better products,” she says.
Bua Bhat, whose slogan is “art of green home products”, offers cushions, beanbags, stools and daybeds with covers that are removable and easy to clean. The factory’s signature products include the Rocky Stream rugs that look like stones and embroidered rugs that depict forest, flowers and foliage.
“I learned embroidery techniques from Japanese handicraft books and have adapted some techniques to create more innovative designs, which adds value to our products too,” says Wilai.
“All our products are handmade, created by local villagers. The factory allows them to put their skills to good use and earn extra income to support their families.”
All the factory cast-offs are washed before being dyed in green, brown, cream, purple, pink and red. To ensure quality, durability and comfort, all cushions and seats are stuffed with synthetic fibre. Bua Bhat rugs come in different sizes and look good in every room.
The latest collection draws its inspiration from Lanna-style architecture with cushions shaped to look like a temple’s roof, Naga-shaped long pillows along with rugs and stools reflecting the region’s ton guen tree.
“Our products have been recognised with many international awards including the 2012 Chiang Mai Design Award, the Good Design Awards, Design Excellence and Gift and Home Decorative Design,” says Wilai.
“My aim is to set up a Bua Bhat Europe distribution centre to handle our export orders.”
>>FURNISHINGS WITH A SOFT TOUCH
Bua Bhat Factory is located at 134 Moo 8, Buakkang, San Kamphaeng Chiang Mai. Call (053) 446 291-4 or visit www.Buabhat.com.
