Decorating Essentials: Timeless Rattan, Wicker, Cane, & Bamboo

Part One | 10.29.2024

“Rattan is in my bones, I don’t have cartilage.
I have rattan joinery.”

—Celerie Kemble, celebrated Interior Designer

I wholly relate to the above quote so it's fitting to feature rattan, wicker, cane, and bamboo furniture in the first of this series highlighting my personal design essentials. I have been drawn to these furnishings and decorative items for as long as I can remember. When done well, these materials are timeless perfection that will never, ever, ever, did I say ever, go out of style. So, when I see articles every few years about how rattan, specifically, is having a moment it makes me a little bit crazy (perhaps even offends me). I’m viscerally drawn to the effect this type of furniture has on a space, especially the pieces that evoke the relaxed, exotic sense of faraway places. No matter what your decorative style, these beautiful natural pieces will add a touch of effortless chic.

Rattan, Cane, Wicker & Bamboo: The basics

There won’t be a test, but it’s good to know that, while often used interchangeably, rattan, wicker, cane, and bamboo refer to different materials used in furniture and home decor. That said, I'll probably use the terms interchangeably here, too. Rattan is a natural, renewable palm material that grows as a vine—light yet sturdy. Cane refers specifically to the outer skin of the rattan vine, which is peeled and woven to create cane webbing or furniture accents. Wicker, on the other hand, is a weaving technique that can use various materials like rattan, cane, willow, bamboo, or resin. So, while rattan and cane are specific plant materials, wicker describes the woven style itself, regardless of the material used. Bamboo, a fast-growing grass, is hollow and more rigid than rattan, often used for structural elements or decorative accents.

Rattan: Strong, natural vine used in furniture.

Cane: Outer skin of rattan, woven for accents.

Wicker: Weaving style using various materials.

Bamboo: Hollow grass, rigid and sturdy.

Outside In

When we think of wicker, rattan, etc., we often associate it with being outdoors in places such as a lush English garden, a cafe on the streets of Paris, a screened-in porch in the south, or a tiled Moroccan riad. So when we bring these furnishings indoors, an undeniable laid-back, traveled vibe is infused into a room. It's this sense in a room that we obsessives are pulled towards, which has made this furniture and decor desirable to designers and artists for centuries. Plus, rattan furniture is lightweight—a bonus for those of us too impatient to wait for movers when we're in the mood to rearrange things (which, let’s be honest, is always).

Versatility

Natural furniture mixes well any design style, and can be found in the most formal to the most relaxed interiors. I love using it in very layered, more eclectic spaces but it will also act as an earthy, textured counterpoint to sleek, modern lines in contemporary spaces, and will amplify the organic feel of the neutral toned interiors that you see everywhere, right now.

A Little or A Lot

Whether leaning into maximalism or minimalism, well-designed and beautifully handmade rattan will effortlessly add a layer of interest. If you're unsure how to incorporate it into your own space, spend some time studying images of how good designers use it. You’ll find countless ways you can work rattan and other natural materials into your space—whether it’s through seating, tables, desks, beds, lighting, planters, mirrors, baskets, or more.

My dream room is filled with lots of antique rattan, caning, and English bamboo furniture, loaded with pillows and cushions in gorgeous block print fabrics, a jungle of palm trees and bromeliads, a pair of Christopher Spitzmiller lamps, blue & white ginger jars, turquoise foo dogs, and antique Persian rugs. I'm clearly team maximalist.

But if a room full of antique rattan and bamboo isn’t your thing, just a touch of rattan will still add a great layer. This fabulous room below by the insanely talented designers, Pierce and Ward, is a perfect example. Everything about this room is great, but the addition of the rattan ceiling fixture and even just a small rattan table lamp adds another level of relaxed sophistication and style.

Vintage vs. New

Humans have been making tools for living out of natural fibers forever. When they opened King Tutankahmun's tomb a primitive stool made out of rattan was found very much intact! That's quite a testament to the durability of these materials. So it's no surprise there are so many antique pieces of rattan, wicker, bamboo and caning available through dealers, and websites such as 1st Dibs and Chairish. And Tropical Sun Rattan in Van Nuys, CA. is a rattan mecca which has sold and restored vintage rattan for over 50 years and features a large selection of unique pieces. Whether you’re drawn to classic wicker from the '20s and '30s, vintage tropical rattan, mid-century modern European designs, or, like me, completely obsessed with antique English bamboo (will probably have to have it's own dedicated journal soon), there are beautiful pieces with great style and provenance out there looking for a home.

Today, most of rattan is sourced in the Philippines, however in the U.K., manufacturers Soane Britain are producing antique-quality rattan furniture (in addition to furnishings, lighting and textiles). They are also ensuring this important craft is kept alive and thriving there by purchasing England's last surviving rattan weaving workshop in 2011, re-employing the remaining skilled artists, and creating an apprentice program. In 2020, the founder of Soane Britain, Lulu Lytle, authored Rattan: A World of Elegance and Charm, a fantastic book that highlights rattan’s rich history through stunning photography and her evident passion for artistry and craftsmanship. I highly recommend getting your hands on a copy.

Here in the U.S., Bielecky Brothers in Queens, NY, has been handcrafting classic rattan furniture since 1903, remaining as THE go-to source for many high-end designers seeking custom rattan pieces. I love scrolling their Instagram feed for images of the hand-weaving process and of their work from previous decades. Other retailers/manufacturers offering newly made very good quality rattan directly to customers are Sharland England and Rooms and Gardens. For solid quality, at a more accessible price point, try Woven, Serena and Lily, Lulu & Georgia, and Shoppe Amber.

Old or new, the handmade creation of quality furniture from natural materials is a treasured artisan skill passed down from generation to generation. Some pieces take weeks or even months to be made and, like any art form, should be collected, cared for, and treasured.

I hope this inspires you to work in some rattan, caning, or bamboo in your rooms if you haven't already. Next week, we'll show you some great rattan finds that are available right now in case you want to add some layering pieces to your home before the holidays kick off!

Until next time,