   Chad Rosen lounges on a couch made of natural fibers at Indomata, his furniture gallery that brings the natural beauty of the Far East to Downtown. (photo/Monica Hernandez)
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Behind the red doors of the Basile Gallery one can escape the buzz of Downtown and become immersed in the natural beauty of the Far East. Indomata is the new San Diego-based company that transforms water hyacinths and teakwood from Thailand and Indonesia into contemporary, ecologically friendly furniture, on view indefinitely at the gallery.
The furniture collection is fashion-forward and environmentally friendly. Handmade organic materials are combined with stainless steel to create a sleek, contemporary design that mixes Eastern and Western influences.
“We bring a unique product to market in a way that’s never been done before,” says CEO Chad Rosen. “We want to create an organic product that doesn’t sacrifice design and style. There are contemporary products all over the world, and there are woven products all over the world, but we brought the two together in an emerging market.”
The company was created in February 2001, when Rosen traveled to the Far East for the first time.
“I linked up with some manufacturers who took me under their wing and I saw the furniture designs and the natural beauty of the East and I wanted to bring that to the West,” Rosen says.
The company says its furniture reflects the motto, “cause and commerce.” The collection is made primarily from recycled, reclaimed and renewable palm wood, teak wood, rubber wood and water hyacinth. The use of water hyacinth creates jobs for villagers who may otherwise not have them. The company uses teakwood from abandoned structures to eliminate the need to harvest new wood and protect forests. The store developed new methods for curing palm wood and creating a deep grain pattern not found in non-synthetic furniture.
Although Indomata, 519 Island Ave., began in San Diego, the company hopes to sell its products nationwide and become a recognizable name to consumers.
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