Discover “Ombak”, a sustainable furniture brand founded by Shruthi Prakash in 2022, creating unique home decor using eco-friendly materials like.

– Bananas

– Water hyacinth

– Seagrass

Founded in 2022 by Shruthi Prakash, “Ombak” is a furniture startup blending traditional craftsmanship with eco-friendly materials like banana fibre and water hyacinth, offering a unique alternative to conventional home decor.

Shruthi shares the details of her fascinating journey during a Zoom call from her living room in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she is currently based.

As Shruthi shares her compelling story, I cannot help but be drawn to what is behind her. The eco-friendly decor created through her brand ““Ombak”” perfectly reflects her narrative, as my gaze falls on the pieces displayed in the backdrop.

The beauty of “Ombak” creations rivals, if not surpasses, mainstream decor alternatives typically made from plastic, treated fabrics, and finished wood. Through her brand ““Ombak””, which means a large wave in Bahasa, Shruthi aims to encourage consumers to invite sustainability into their homes, starting with a cup of coffee, and making it a lasting part of their daily lives.

Shruthi journey from a business development professional with five years of experience to an entrepreneur has been full of twists and turns, with one pivotal moment marking the shift.

Journey from Advertising to Eco-Friendly Furniture with “Ombak”

Shruthi Prakash, originally overseeing design and marketing for real estate brands in her family advertising business, first developed an interest in home design while working on exhibition stalls. She always viewed furniture and home decor as a platform to champion natural fibres, describing it as a means towards an end.

After moving to Indonesia following her marriage, Shruthi immersed herself in the local culture, which strongly embraced sustainable practices. This cultural shift provided the ideal environment for the official launch of “Ombak”, named after the Bahasa word for large wave, symbolising the significant impact she aimed to make in the world of home decor.

“Ombak”, officially registered in both Indonesia and India, reflects Shruthis passion for social impact and design. When I decided to run a business on my own, I wanted it to be socially aligned, where profit wasnt just financial, but also tied to creating something valuable, she explains. The results speak for themselves.

Sustainable Materials: Banana Fibre and Water Hyacinth

Imagine waking up every morning and using supplies made from banana fibre. These simple, everyday moments become reminders to embrace eco-friendly living, she smiles.

Each material used by “Ombak” is carefully selected for both its environmental benefits and aesthetic appeal.

Banana Fibre: Harvested from the stem of the banana plant, banana fibre is known for its durability. Shruthi describes the process of creating furniture from this fibre as meticulous, with the stems dried and woven into fabric sheets or ropes. The result is strong, sustainable furniture, sourced abundantly across Asia.

Water Hyacinth: Often seen as a weed due to its rapid growth, water hyacinth is valued by “Ombak” for its beauty and unique golden hue when dried. Softer than banana fibre, it is perfect for creating elegant items like foot rugs.

Seagrass: A rough-textured underwater plant, seagrass is primarily used for wall decor and non-touchable surfaces. Its robustness makes it an ideal material for decorative applications, adding an earthy charm to “Ombak”s products.

Crafting with Purpose: The Sustainable Approach

“Ombak” is dedicated to using sustainable materials while also adhering to eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Shruthis experience with Indonesias advanced sustainable design practices greatly influenced her approach. The countrys focus on recycling, sustainably sourced wood, and creating durable, high-quality products helped shape her vision for “Ombak”.

The startup process involves close collaboration with local artisans in both India and Indonesia, combining traditional techniques with modern design sensibilities. This cross-cultural collaboration ensures that each piece is not only eco-friendly but also exquisitely crafted.

“Ombak” is truly a blend of the best of two cultures, with raw materials sourced from both India and Indonesia. Shruthi explains why this cross-cultural approach works so well.

Take rattan, for example, which comes from the palm species. India is highly proficient at utilizing it, and the design expertise is very advanced. For rattan, I exclusively collaborate with artisans from Kerala, India, she says.

Shruthi has developed a keen eye for spotting value in what others might consider waste, and she emphasizes that her search for sustainable materials is ongoing.

She is currently exploring the potential of paper and raffia palm. We are focused on finding fibres that dont compromise the quality of the product and are locally available, she explains.

Shruthi explains that another way to work with banana fibre is to rope it together as soon as it dries, creating patterns that maintain its natural form.

Sustainability is the Standard in Design

Shruthi explores sustainable decor in Indonesia, where natural materials are transformed into high-quality pieces through impeccable craftsmanship. The region prioritizes sustainably sourced wood, FSC certifications, repurposing waste wood into biofuel, recycling sawdust, and designing with longevity in mind, making it a leader in eco-conscious design.

Shruthis journey into sustainable design in Indonesia was driven by her deep curiosity about how sustainability was achieved in remote areas of the country. I spent months visiting remote areas in the country to try and see how they achieved sustainability in design, she recalls. The decor and furniture space really caught my eye and my journey began to take shape.

In 2023, Shruthi registered her brand, which allowed her to conduct in-depth research and explore product manufacturing processes in Indonesias tier 2 and tier 3 cities. However, as a foreigner, she faced certain challenges. As a foreigner, I wouldnt be allowed to do that, she explains. So I had to get a separate visa in order to even come here for a long period of time and do the research. This effort enabled her to gain firsthand insights into the sustainable practices that were shaping the local decor industry, further fueling her passion for eco-conscious design.

While language posed a challenge, Shruthi credits her husband as a vital support system, as he could communicate with the locals. This was especially important as her focus was on the artisan communities throughout Indonesia. His ability to converse with the locals allowed me to dive deeper into the heart of the craft, Shruthi explains.

Shruthis journey, shuttling between India and Indonesia, has been one of continuous learning, and her brand, “Ombak”, is a testament to this evolution. With a diverse range of 100% handmade products—including baskets, mirrors, lamps, furniture, cabinets, and wall decor—”Ombak” reflects Shruthis commitment to sustainable design. Each experiment brings me closer to my dream of creating a studio that is a one-stop for products made with natural fibres and fabrics, she shares.

A Call for Conscious Choices

Despite the overwhelming presence of unsustainable decor in mainstream markets, Shruthi is determined to change consumer mindsets. She acknowledges the challenge, stating, Its always easier to just pick up a plastic chair, right? But she urges consumers to be more mindful in their choices. A home is where we build our lives, so its here where we can start the good practices that can one day impact the world around us. Shruthi believes that small, conscious decisions in our homes can spark a larger movement toward sustainability.

“Ombak” serves as a gentle reminder to shift our mindsets and make sustainability a habit, not just a goal for the distant future. Through Shruthis creations, the brand encourages consumers to embrace conscious choices that contribute to a more sustainable world today.

Heres where you can shop for Shruthis creations.

Edited by Gayathri