In Negros, nature is a gift that lies untarnished. This fact is not relegated to tourist spots or to designated areas for preservation. Even within the homes of the Negrense people, nature takes centre stage. Its beauty is put on display instead of swept aside.

This love for greenery and earthy materials is evident in the handicrafts and furniture that the locals produce. Their designs and colours are inspired by the vegetation that the province is graced with. Such materials allow Negrense furniture and crafts to be sturdy, durable and weather-resistant. They lend a natural charm to any living space.

The coconut palm is one of the trees that provide materials to furniture manufacturers and décor makers in Negros. No tree is actually cut down. What many manufacturers utilise is the hard shell of young coconut fruits. While people scrape off the hard, white meat for salads and desserts and pour out the liquid for juice, manufacturers use the discarded shells. The shells are cleaned, dried and cut into pieces of desired sizes, which are then used as inlay materials.

The banana tree also provides elegance to house ware and furniture pieces. Again, no tree is chopped down in the process. Manufacturers are after the outer layers of this tree’s trunk. These layers are peeled off, and the dry pulp is stripped and dried in order to create a rich inlay material.

Aside from inlay purposes, there are also plants that are used for the main frame or body of furnishings. A common example is the bamboo tree. Bamboo wood is versatile and study. It can be used for making houses and is wonderful for outdoor furniture. Bamboo is abundant in tropical countries, which explains its popularity in the Philippines.