Rattan & Cane
Confession…. (and this will come as no surprise to some) but I have a material obsession. Prints, patterns, finishes, textures; all are welcomed and loved in my world. To that end, I’m a real sucker for pieces that combine several materials and finishes emphasizing their textural contrast.
I LOVE contrast! In all its forms. Light and Dark. Organic and Linear. Glossy and Matte. Smooth and Rough.
One of my current obsessions is with old world crafted materials like rattan and cane and all their relatives. There is something so Baloo-Bear-rub-up-against-a-tree yummy about the natural organic and visual tactility of rattan, cane, grasscloth, wicker and raffia.
Certainly not what you would consider to be “new” finishes per se, having been around and used for centuries, but they’re definitely a trend that has longevity and can be found in collections from high-end brands to mass marketed distributors. So what makes these traditional crafted textures fresh?
For me, it’s how they’re showcased and used in contrast with other materials and in the context of new furniture silhouettes.
Inset wicker-cane panels on the drawer fronts of All Modern’s Yadira 3-Drawer Chest are framed in smooth solid mango wood and the strong lines of a brass-look base creating a versatile piece with modern appeal.
The craftsmanship of cane is elevated from its traditional purpose as a durable seating surface to become the framed decorative surface texture in the curved contemporary lines of West Elm’s Grid Back Chair.
Thibaut Fine Furniture has without a doubt made an art of wrapped grasscloth furniture. With clean tailored lines and a rainbow of vibrant colours and textures to choose from, these custom occasional pieces can be personalized to suit any interior.
Thibaut Fine Furniture’s Wrapped 3-Door Console
This custom piece is shown in Shang Extra Fine Sisal in Navy from Grasscloth Resource Vol. 4, with doors wrapped in West Palm in Blue and White from Summer House and Antique Brass ferrules
You don’t have to break the bank to get the look either, check out budget-friendly options from brands such as Ikea or Wayfair. Another more cost-effective approach is to add smaller touches of these textures throughout your space by using decorative accents such as lamps, baskets, trays, mirrors and planters.
When hunting online for this scrumdidileeumptious trend here are a few keyword search terms to keep in mind…. rattan, cane, wicker, woven texture, grasscloth, raffia or contact me to help you find the perfect piece to add to your space.
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