Kakadu “Green” Products Reflect Commitment to the Environment
With an increased trend of consumers seeking out “Green” Products, Kakadu has always been ahead of the curve. The company’s product line – functional, hand painted on wood accessories and furnishings – reflects the founders’ commitment to preserving and honoring the environment.
Established in 1990 in Israel by artists Reut and Aharon Shahar, Kakadu is the only company to offer hand painted wooden carpets. Brightly colored, durable and perfectly suited for high-traffic interior spaces (even in front of a kitchen sink), the carpets have garnered worldwide renown and are recognized as “functional floor art.” And, they are environmentally friendly as well.
The Kakadu workshop is situated in the heart of a nature preserve in Israel, reflecting Kakadu’s deep commitment to the environment and earth-friendly living. “We never use timber from the Rain Forest, and we never exploit old-growth forests for our products,” says Reut. “The wood we use comes from fast-growing timber that has been planted specifically for harvesting.” Reut and Aharon carefully select all of the raw materials, using non-toxic and recycled materials whenever possible.
The artisans at Kakadu respect the quality of the wood, using original colors specifically developed at Kakadu’s color Laboratory to enhance the natural grain of the wood. When the artists complete painting the carpets, they coat them with a specially formulated, high-grade marine varnish for ultimate protection and long term use.
The wooden carpets are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and nearly 50 design motifs, with suggested retail prices starting at $159 for the 2′ x 3′ carpet.
Seattle-based Fireworks Gallery has been selling Kakadu in their five retail locations, including the store in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. “The color, figures and images are an ideal fit for our discerning customers,” says Michele Manasse, Chief Firecracker (buyer). “We offer an eclectic array of housewares and gifts, and Kakadu meets our criteria for a line of quality, functional items with appealing, contemporary designs.”
Kakadu products are available at more than 300 retailers in the U.S. and hundreds more throughout the globe. To locate a retailer near you, or for further information about the complete line of Kakadu products, please visit www.Kakadu-Design.com.
About Kakadu
Founded in 1990 by husband and wife Reut and Aharon Shahar, Kakadu Design in Wood, Ltd. is headquartered in Israel, with a network of distribution and sales affiliates throughout Europe and North America. From a small gallery in Jerusalem, the company has expanded to create a line of approximately 50 products, each one available in a choice of nearly 50 design motifs. While others are moving their manufacturing to China, India, etc. Kakadu has chosen to preserve the integrity of their products by retaining all facets of the company in Israel.
Included in Kakadu’s extensive catalog are: Placemats, Serving Trays, Lazy Susans, Mirrors, Clocks, Vases, Table Runners, Stools, Tables and a line of Judaica, all handcrafted in Israel.
The cornerstone of Kakadu’s success lies in its dedication to the design process and its unwavering commitment to quality. The result is a melding of Art and Design that combines industrial techniques with the authenticity of hand painting; the result is “Functional items that are Art.”
