History intact

The history of the wood is intact. First, it’s tone and texture. Then, from the finish or paint that is removed or left behind. And finally, from the minor nicks, marks, and nail holes that are not fixed or filled.

One can then imagine where the wood came from, how it used and it's life with people in the past.

Recycling can be much more than just a practical application.

The Ancient History

During the colonization period, many immigrants from Italy and Germany found their way to Brazil. They settled their families in the South and found in the luxurious forest of the exotic new land, the best wood to build beautiful homes, easy to work with, yet resistant to the weather, dry rot and termites.

The Peroba Rosa wood was a perfect fit. Now days these homes are being demolished in the name of progress. All the furniture and accessories of this collection are made of recycled wood from these old houses – full of history - representing the old and primitive, Brazilian country style.

In just one product, the history of a country can be found. In the simplicity and beauty of shape and colors that come through the hands of Brazilian artisans and carpenters, a perfect piece of art is created. Wood that has stood the test of time. These pieces of history have to be saved!

The Recent Story of a successful business in Brazil

The process of buying and demolishing the houses of wood in southern Brazil was initiated more than 12 years ago. From the search for new materials that could be reused in the manufacture of furniture, some designers of the region west of the city of Sao Paulo, especially in the neighborhood of Vila Madalena - traditionally known as a gathering place for fashion designers and decoration, artists and craftsmen, and also attended by a select audience - began the research the recovery of fine wood.

Some stores of the region began to find an option striking and colorful, completely different from traditional mobile finding in the São Paulo and that has found tremendous success. The public interested in those pieces are well educated and interested in the concept and value of recycling this old growth forest wood.

At the time only two designers were willing to take the challenge and financial risk to find a consistent supply. They finally found it in the wooden houses of the South of Brazil.

One of these designers, Lucinha, who today is the supplier of Green Concept Imports, maintains the largest stockpile of raw material used in the manufacture of furniture in Peroba Rosa – beautiful wood of superior quality.

Before her work many houses were simply burned and brick houses built. Reusing this old wood is considered environmentally correct, and very “green”. During Brazil’s colonization, the Atlantic Rain Forest was severely decimated. Today only 7% remains. It is now illegal to cut old growth Peroba. Wood of this quality will never be available again. Once it is used up, it will be gone forever.

This furniture is created in a primitive style, the kind of pieces you would find in a house from southern Brazil in the late 1800’s. Simple and colorful, it has a charm that is difficult to explain. It must be seen and touched to understand.