thoughts on… | Rattan

It’s a Rattan Revolution. Rattan, Wicker, Cane… whatever you want to call it. It’s back and I’m loving it.

I don’t know if it’s because we’ve actually spent more time outside (since we’ve been quarantined inside) and are just feeling closer to nature, or we’re trying to bring more of that outdoors in… but I can’t find anything with the words rattan, wicker, or cane in stock anywhere right now. Every major retail store has started carrying rattan furniture (West Elm, CB2, Pottery Barn) and I can’t get enough of it!

For those that want to know the difference between rattan, wicker, cane… it’s really all about how it’s presented. Rattan is the basic raw material that is used in the production of the furniture. It’s a tropical palm tree, native to Southeast Asia and is known to be one of the strongest woods on the planet. It’s a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to other wood products (yay!) Wicker is what you call a woven or interlaced rattan (or other natural material) pattern that is then wrapped around a metal or wooden frame to create tables and chairs. Cane is another part of the rattan plant - produced with the skin of the rattan vine. Cane is less porous yet more pliable than rattan so it is generally used as the seat or back of a furniture piece.

If you want to be in on the trend this year, get yourself some rattan furniture! (Hot tip, check Etsy for some fabulous vintage finds!)

Clockwise, from top left:

Ikea: Radviken Armchair & Fladis Basket Anthropologie: Heatherfield Bed Anthropologie: Irving Bookcase Urban Outfitters: Standing Planters Amazon: Valley Pouf West Elm: Ida Media Console Serena & Lily: Balboa Side Chairs Urban Outfitters: Melody Storage Cabinet