Shruthi Prakash, 28, has always had a passion for home decor. In 2022, she founded Ombak, a brand specializing in sustainable furniture made from waste plants, water hyacinth, seagrass, banana fiber, and more.
At first glance, this might seem like a list of her favorite garden greens, but a conversation with Shruthi reveals that these are the key materials for her eco-friendly home decor and furniture brand. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, Shruthi shares her journey over a Zoom call from her living room.
The backdrop of her home is adorned with beautiful pieces from Ombak, demonstrating that eco-friendly decor can be as attractive, if not more so, than mainstream alternatives made from plastic, finished wood, and treated fabrics. The name “Ombak,” meaning “a large wave” in Bahasa (the language spoken in Indonesia), reflects Shruthi’s desire to make sustainability a permanent fixture in everyday life.
Shruthi’s journey from a management professional in business development to an entrepreneur has been full of twists and turns, with one pivotal moment marking the shift. “I was involved in design and marketing for brands in the real estate space as part of my family’s advertising business. Designing exhibition stalls for these brands sparked my interest in home design,” she recalls.
From early on, Shruthi saw furniture and home decor as a way to promote natural fibers. “A means towards an end,” she notes. While work on Ombak began unofficially two years ago, it truly took off when Shruthi moved to Indonesia after her marriage. The move exposed her to a new culture that embraced eco-friendly decor and set a precedent for the rest of the world.
Through Ombak, Shruthi aims to encourage consumers to embrace sustainability in their homes, making it a permanent part of their daily lives.
Read More: https://homendecorindia.com/
