Relax in style with cane and rattan furniture
As sunnier days arrive, these natural materials offer a lighter touch and can give any room an outdoor feel
We’re loving the new take on cane and rattan. It looks smart yet is relaxed, feels fresh but has retained all of its timeless charm. And timeless it is – these are materials people have lived comfortably with for a long, long time.
The weaving of plant fibres for furniture goes back at least to ancient Egypt, while cane has been a global commodity for centuries. It was a stand out material in French antiques, featured in sleek Scandinavian and North American mid-20th century design, and just about anyone who was anyone was photographed in the iconic Peacock Chair back in the Sixties and Seventies.
In the modern take, curves are neat and sculptural, the cane insets restrained and the furniture is available in pale wood or dramatic black. All of this allows it to be versatile enough for you to make a big statement or to use rattan furniture for the subtlest of accents.
Curve appeal
One of the stand out qualities of rattan is that it can be steam-bent to create organic shapes. Both cane and rattan come from the same palm-like plant. In furniture terms, rattan refers to the sturdy stems of the plant which are used like wood while cane is the outer stalk fibres, which are often skillfully woven into distinctive patterns.
When choosing cane or rattan furniture, look for curves and circles and think about what the silhouette can bring to the scheme. ‘I like to use rattan in a vintage way in my home,’ explains interior stylist Lynsey Fox. ‘A bentwood rocking chair, rattan-covered vases, lampshades and shelving units… the natural textures and tones complement bold colours and prints so well but I also love how versatile these materials can be in different settings.’
Explore all levels
The new look is influenced by the Mediterranean and the breezy creativity of the south of France. These are considered outdoor materials in warmer climates so are perfect for indoor/outdoor spaces here. Layer up seagrass rugs and look for furniture and accessories that mimic the curves and sculptural forms.
‘Neutrals and naturals go hand in hand while light wood with tactile seagrass and woven fibres will help bring the outside in,’ expains Bethan Harwood (@jl_bethan), Partner & Home Design Stylist. ‘That connection to nature has been proven to lower your heart rate.‘
Sunshine vibe
‘We’re going to see much more of cane and rattan in 2021 as we seek interest and tactility in every finish around the home,’ says Wil Law, Partner & Home Design Stylist. ‘Introduce it where you would usually opt for plain wooden designs, such as dining chairs or storage for a shot of extra texture that is timeless and rooted in craftsmanship.’
Look for detail in unexpected places – such as the sides of a sofa, the base of a table or a headboard – to give spaces a new, tactile focal point.
In the frame
‘It’s a material that can look earthy and humble and at peace with any Scandi, airy room, or sleek and sophisticated especially when the pale rattan meets a black painted frame,’ says Wil.
Look out for pieces available in both pale wood and black so you can mix the two for extra style points. Try teaming a rattan headboard in natural with a black rattan bedside table – both pieces have been designed in-house at John Lewis for spring/summer 2021.
Free to roam
Rattan’s super power is that it is strong and sturdy but also incredibly light making it easy to move around. As a result it’s a great choice if you need flexibility. Take your chairs into the garden on a sunny afternoon – it will be easy enough to dash back inside if the heavens decide to open.
And for go-anywhere ease, invest in some folding pieces to take to the table, the work desk, the garden or even the beach this summer.
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