Maker guide · Ethnicraft

Why We Carry Ethnicraft: Belgium's Solid-Wood Standard for Sustainable Furniture

By Comosum · Updated November 2026 · 6 min read

The short answer

Ethnicraft is a Belgian furniture company established in Antwerp by two friends, Benoit Loos and Philippe Delaisse; its story began in 1995. Alain van Havre is its main designer. The Nordic sideboard, for example, is made in Serbia and the N701 sofa in Indonesia. The tables, sideboards and benches in this guide are solid oak or teak. Start with the Bok dining table and chairs, then add the N701 sofa.

Alain van Havre’s Bok dining table, chairs and bench in solid oak. Tap + to shop.

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Ethnicraft furniture in solid oak and teak, our best sellers first. Prices and stock update on their own.

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Ethnicraft makes solid oak and teak furniture, from the Bok dining table to the Mondrian-inspired M Rack, plus upholstered pieces such as the N701 sofa. Comosum sells it online in the US; the full range is in our Ethnicraft collection.

Who makes Ethnicraft furniture, and where is it made?

Ethnicraft is Belgian. Its story began in 1995, when Philippe Delaisse brought furniture and objects back from Indonesia to sell in Antwerp. With his friend Benoit Loos he was soon importing a container every few months, and Ethnicraft was founded a year later; the two then began designing their own furniture and set up a first manufacturing site in Indonesia. The company is now based in Boom, near Antwerp.

Alain van Havre, Ethnicraft’s main designer for some 20 years, drew the Bok, the PI and the M Rack; Antwerp-based Jacques Deneef designed the N701 sofa. Ethnicraft's production page lists nine manufacturing facilities, with production sites in Serbia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, and our product pages name the country for each piece: the oak Nordic sideboard, M Rack and Spindle bench are made in Serbia, the N701 sofa and the teak Bok outdoor tables in Indonesia.

The Bok extendable in oak, opened, with Bok chairs in warm gray.

Is Ethnicraft solid wood, and should you choose oak or teak?

Its wooden furniture is. Ethnicraft lists the Bok dining table, Nordic sideboard, M Rack and Spindle bench as solid wood; the N701 sofa is upholstered over a hardwood frame. Ethnicraft says its wood is “sourced from responsibly and carefully managed forests,” and its teak and mahogany are covered by SVLK, Indonesia’s timber-legality system. There is no walnut in the range we sell: the darker looks are brown- or black-stained oak and teak. How the finishes compare:

Finish What it is Choose it for
Oiled oak Solid oak finished with a pigmented hardwax oil Natural, matte; easy to refresh at home
Varnished oak Solid oak under a protective varnish, in natural, black or brown A protective coating against stains
Natural teak No finish or treatment; the wood is polished so its oils rise Warm tone; Ethnicraft suggests sealing it with oil
Brown teak Brown-stained teak with a varnish finish A darker look in place of walnut
Outdoor teak Solid teak for the Bok outdoor tables, natural or black-stained and brushed Natural teak weathers to silver-gray if left untreated

Our guide to types of wood compares oak and teak with other furniture woods.

What does the Comosum Meter show for Ethnicraft?

The Comosum Sustainability Meter grades each brand we carry on materials, transport, manufacturing, labor, energy and durability. Ethnicraft’s record credits solid oak and teak from named origins, its own factories, sawdust that fuels its drying ovens, a Serbian site that runs on wood-residue energy, and testing to ANSI/BIFMA-based protocols with spare parts. Ethnicraft also runs Re-Loved, which refurbishes its pieces for a second life. The grade below is calculated live from that record, so it moves when the evidence does.

A teak Ethnicraft Bok dining table with Bok chairs in a whitewashed room with a large fireplace
The Bok dining table and chairs in natural teak.
Close-up of an oak Ethnicraft Spindle bench showing the grain of the seat and the spokes of the backrest
Solid oak on the Spindle bench, its spokes inspired by a spinning wheel.

Behind the chair · Ethnicraft · Antwerp · 30+ years of solid wood

What to look at first

The Bok chair, launched in 2016 after several years of development, became Ethnicraft's most iconic piece. Look first at the legs: Ethnicraft says the collection recalls a goat's slim legs and curved horns. Then choose the finish: oiled oak is refreshed at home with wax and oil, while varnished oak resists stains.

  • Solid wood, oiled or water-based varnished
  • Serbian factory runs on wood-residue energy
  • Re-Loved: refurbished for a second life
EthnicraftSustainability Meter
3.5
Sustainability
grade

Which Ethnicraft pieces should you buy first?

Start at the table. Ethnicraft says the Bok collection is reminiscent of a goat’s curved horns, and the Bok dining table is one of its signature designs: solid oak or teak, in six lengths from 55.5 to 94.5 inches plus a 57.5-inch square. As a guide, the 55.5-inch table seats four, the 71-inch six and the 94.5-inch eight; the square seats six to eight. If you host often, the Bok extendable adds a leaf; the 79-inch table opens to 118 inches. The Bok chair and bench come in the same oak and teak finishes. Our extendable dining tables guide covers sizing.

Piece Designer Made of Sizes
Bok dining table Alain van Havre Solid oak or teak 55.5 to 94.5 in, plus a 57.5 in square; seats four to eight
Bok extendable dining table Alain van Havre Solid oak or teak 47 in opening to 71 in, up to 79 in opening to 118 in; 51 in round
Bok outdoor dining table Alain van Havre Solid teak, natural or black 31.5 in square to 118 in
N701 sofa Jacques Deneef Upholstery over a hardwood frame Two or three seats; 17 in seat height
Nordic sideboard Ethnicraft (no designer named) Solid oak, hardwax oil Two, three or four doors
M Rack Alain van Havre Solid oak, natural or black; teak A mid-height rack or an 86 in tower
Spindle bench Ethnicraft (no designer named) Solid oak, natural or black; reclaimed teak 18 in seat height

For the living room, the N701 is the piece people ask about. Jacques Deneef gave it a low profile and stitched detailing. The fixed N701 sofa is a two- or three-seater; the three-seater, corner pieces and footstool build bigger layouts, and some colors use upholstery with recycled cotton. Compare it with other makers in our sustainable sofas guide.

Jacques Deneef’s N701 sofa in beige standard upholstery.

For storage, the Nordic sideboard is solid oak with a hardwax oil finish and beveled edges, with two, three or four doors, adjustable shelves and an anti-tipping fitting. The M Rack turns Piet Mondrian’s grid into open solid-oak shelving. The Spindle bench, inspired by the spinning wheel, runs spokes along its backrest; Ethnicraft suggests fitting the extra leg it supplies if it sees heavy daily use.

The Nordic sideboard in oiled oak, four doors wide, with a Bok coffee table.
Alain van Havre’s M Rack in oak: Mondrian’s grid as open shelving.

Where can you buy Ethnicraft in the US, and how long does it take?

Comosum sells Ethnicraft online, with delivery to the contiguous 48 states; Ethnicraft’s own store finder lists showroom retailers if you want to see a piece first. Timing depends on the piece, its finish and Ethnicraft’s current stock, so each product page shows that item’s availability and shipping time, and our shipping and returns page explains how in-stock and backordered orders work. The Bok tables arrive ready to assemble; the N701 sofa, Nordic sideboard, M Rack and Spindle bench need no assembly.

How do you care for an oiled oak table and other Ethnicraft finishes?

Ethnicraft’s advice for every wood finish: keep the room at 40 to 60% humidity, away from radiators and direct sun; dust with a dry cloth; wipe spills at once with a damp cloth and natural soap, along the grain; use coasters and placemats; and open an extendable table during its first three weeks, then regularly. Oiled oak has a pigmented hardwax oil finish: Ethnicraft recommends Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner (3029) to refresh it and Osmo Hardwax Oil Natural (3041) to renew it. Natural teak arrives unfinished, and Ethnicraft suggests sealing it with Occulto Oil (9911). On the N701, blot spills rather than rub. Read Ethnicraft’s care pages or our guide to repairable furniture; if something arrives damaged, contact us and we take it up with Ethnicraft.

Ethnicraft: common questions

Where is Ethnicraft furniture made?

Ethnicraft is a Belgian company. Its story began in Antwerp in 1995, it was founded a year later, and it is now based in Boom, near Antwerp. Its first manufacturing site was in Indonesia. Our product pages name the country for each piece: the oak Nordic sideboard, M Rack and Spindle bench are made in Serbia, and the N701 sofa and the teak Bok outdoor tables in Indonesia.

Is Ethnicraft solid wood?

Its wooden furniture is. Ethnicraft lists the Bok dining table, Nordic sideboard, M Rack and Spindle bench as solid wood, in oak or teak, and the Bok extendable table comes in solid oak or teak too. Upholstered pieces such as the N701 sofa are built on a hardwood frame.

Where can I buy Ethnicraft in the US?

Comosum sells Ethnicraft online, with delivery to the contiguous 48 states; everything we carry is in our Ethnicraft collection. Ethnicraft also lists showroom retailers on its own store finder if you want to see a piece in person.

How long does Ethnicraft take to ship to the US?

It depends on the piece, its finish and Ethnicraft's current stock. Each product page shows that item's availability and shipping time, and our shipping page explains how in-stock and backordered orders are handled. We keep you updated on timing after you order.

Oak, teak or walnut: which Ethnicraft finish should I choose?

Oiled oak has a natural, matte look and is easy to refresh. Varnished oak, in natural, black or brown, adds a protective coating against stains. Natural teak comes without a finish and has a warm tone; Ethnicraft suggests sealing it with oil. There is no walnut in the Ethnicraft range we sell: brown-stained oak or teak gives the darker look.

How do I care for an oiled oak table?

Dust it with a dry cloth, wipe spills at once with a damp cloth and natural soap in the direction of the grain, and use placemats and coasters. Ethnicraft recommends Osmo Liquid Wax Cleaner (3029) to refresh the surface and Osmo Hardwax Oil Natural (3041) to renew it, after a light sanding along the grain if there are stains or scratches. Keep the room at 40 to 60% humidity.

Is the Ethnicraft N701 sofa comfortable, and how is it built?

Ethnicraft describes the N701 as an inviting design that embodies comfort and relaxation. It sits low, with a 17-inch seat, on layered foam from 23 to 34 kg/m³ over a hardwood frame, and its standard upholstery is rated to 100,000 Martindale rubs. The fixed sofa seats two or three and needs no assembly.

What is the difference between the Bok dining table and the Bok extendable?

The Bok dining table has a fixed top, in six lengths from 55.5 to 94.5 inches plus a 57.5-inch square; as a guide, the 55.5-inch table seats four and the 94.5-inch eight. The Bok extendable adds a leaf: the 47-inch table opens to 71 inches, and the 79-inch table opens to 118 inches.

Who designs Ethnicraft furniture?

Alain van Havre is Ethnicraft's main designer; the Bok, PI and M Rack are his. Ethnicraft also works with a small circle of other designers, including Antwerp-based Jacques Deneef, who designed the N701 sofa, Paul Delaisse and Studio Segers.

Is Ethnicraft furniture sustainable?

Ethnicraft says its wood is sourced from responsibly and carefully managed forests, and its teak and mahogany are covered by SVLK, Indonesia's timber-legality system. It runs Re-Loved, which refurbishes its pieces for a second life. Our Meter record also credits its own factories and the wood-residue energy at its Serbian site; the grade on this page is calculated from that record.

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