Bamboo Furniture

pengrix

New member
Mar 13, 2010
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I see a lot of bamboo furniture in DR; more than everywhere else. Why are they so popular? What are the benefits that I don?t see? I thought I would see more wicker furniture more often because they are more popular in Europe and America, at least comparing to bamboo. Seriously, given the choice, wouldn?t most people prefer wicker more?
 

pengrix

New member
Mar 13, 2010
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wow... so people dont care about quality and look at all? how much is a set of bamboo sofa? cheap is not cheap when you have to replace them once every 1 or 2 yrs. btw, for the many times that i've been to dr, i've never seen any bamboo growing there. Is the bamboo locally grown?
 
May 29, 2006
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There are a couple dozen varieties grown on the island. It's renewable and there are no restrictions on harvesting it like there are with real wood. Mahogany is like $6-$10/board ft if it is the same price as the rest of the world.
 

AngelaO

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Mar 6, 2010
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I agree. Bamboo furniture is crap! It's also sold dirt cheap in the Philippines and Korea. You get what you pay for.
 

jrhartley

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Sep 10, 2008
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not keen on wicker either really - looks nice but , very creaky.I have yet to find the perfect sofa, cushioning is somewhat lacking and sofas are often made of reinforced paper
 

gamana

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Apr 24, 2006
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Boo!!

bamboo is great for furniture AND the environment. The problem here in DR is:

1) They don't cure the bamboo before building furniture (why wait when you can get few bucks now instead of more later?)
2) They don't use proper sealers (they use the cheap crap you get in ferreterias)
3) They have no taste and expertise in building furniture (why bother when you can still sell it looking ugly)
 

retiree

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Jan 18, 2008
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There are places that will copy a design that you show them. I have had some bamboo pieces built very well that have lasted many years. To make it comfortable have it built a little lower and have good, thick high quality foam with batting around it for cushions. Then if the cushions are covered with cotton material, instead of the fabric often used here that is 100%synthetic and doesn't breathe, then it should be very comfy.
 

AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
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South Coast
There are places that will copy a design that you show them. I have had some bamboo pieces built very well that have lasted many years. To make it comfortable have it built a little lower and have good, thick high quality foam with batting around it for cushions. Then if the cushions are covered with cotton material, instead of the fabric often used here that is 100%synthetic and doesn't breathe, then it should be very comfy.

True. A close Dominican friend of ours has a furniture factory on SD outskirts, and he makes the most beautiful furniture out of any kind of wood/bamboo that you want. He told us if we see something we like in a magazine, store or website just give him the photo and he can match it. He does a lot of casino furniture too. I've never seen the factory, but my husband took a ride with him in January and was very impressed.

We've got some mahogany trees on our property that we're waiting on 'cut approval' - he's going to pick them up and bring them to the mill and make what we want from them. I just have to decide what it is that we want!

If anyone is interested in his contact info, PM me. He speaks decent English.

AE
 

pengrix

New member
Mar 13, 2010
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True. A close Dominican friend of ours has a furniture factory on SD outskirts, and he makes the most beautiful furniture out of any kind of wood/bamboo that you want. He told us if we see something we like in a magazine, store or website just give him the photo and he can match it. He does a lot of casino furniture too. I've never seen the factory, but my husband took a ride with him in January and was very impressed.

We've got some mahogany trees on our property that we're waiting on 'cut approval' - he's going to pick them up and bring them to the mill and make what we want from them. I just have to decide what it is that we want!

If anyone is interested in his contact info, PM me. He speaks decent English.

AE


Is it expensive to have the furniture custom made? Let say that we supply the materials. How much is to make 1 sofa, 1 love seat, a chair, and a coffee table with simple designs? How much more expensive is it comparing to the market place? anyone know?