Wicker Furniture
Wicker Furniture > Wicker Furniture Care
Popular during Victorian times, wicker has a nostalgic, romantic appeal
today. Wicker furniture is made from hard woven plant fibers such as
willow switches, rattan stalks, or straw reeds, which are usually attached
to a stiffer frame. Rattan, which is native to Southeast Asia, is a
climbing plant that can be bent without breaking; it is the most common
material used in the manufacture of wicker furniture. There are
several hundred species of rattan, all of which have fibrous stalks with
a hard coating. Rattan is vine-like; it can grow 500 to 600 feet
in length without being more than an inch and a half in diameter!
The outer surface is called the "cane" and the inner core is called the
"reed." The reed can be stained or painted any color, whereas the
cane cannot be.
How is rattan transformed from a vine-like plant into stylish rattan
furniture? After rattan is harvested, its leaves are removed.
The result is a highly polished, jointed cane. This cane is cut
into varying length canes that are used by wicker furniture makers.
Other materials used in the manufacture of "wicker" furniture include willow, raffia, and fiber. Each material has pros and cons. Willow is highly flexible yet easy to stain, while raffia is tough. Fiber, which is made of machine-twisted paper, is soft and pliable yet strong, as the fiber is generally wound around a wire center. Rush, seagrass, and prairie grass have also been used in the manufacture of wicker furniture. In many cases, wicker furniture is fabricated from more than one of these materials. There is also an entire industry devoted to the manufacture of wicker furniture using synthetic materials, which can often enhance the furniture's strength and improve its waterproof properties.
Wicker furniture has many benefits, including the fact that it is strong,
lightweight, and relatively inexpensive to make. With proper care
and treatment it can be used indoors as well as outdoors on a patio.
Cushions may be used to add comfort to wicker chairs and couches.
The ease of manufacturing wicker and wicker substitutes gave rise to the
creation of planters, chests, lamps, shelves, and many other forms of
this type of furniture, in addition to standard table and chair varieties.
The Wakefield Rattan Company began manufacturing wicker furniture in the United States began during the mid 19th century. Wakefield later merged with the Heywood Company to become the Heywood-Wakefield furniture company. Wicker was also a popular furniture style in Europe, especially in England, where it was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement.
Wicker is lightweight but sturdy, and it requires little maintenance. It is often used in sunrooms and family rooms where a casual, breezy style is desired. Natural wicker furniture can even be found on porches where it is protected from the elements, and synthetic wicker is designed for all-weather, outdoor use.
Wicker Furniture Dealers
- LaneVenture
This producer of fine indoor and outdoor wicker furniture offers quality casual furniture in a diverse range of styles.
www.LaneVenture.com - Lloyd/Flanders
This supplier of all weather wicker furniture and accessories features original designs ranging from traditional to contemporary.
www.LloydFlanders.com - Antique Wicker
Located in Bernard, Maine, this shop offers a wide selection of antique wicker furniture.
www.AntiqueWicker.com - Fran's Wicker & Rattan Furniture
New Jersey-based importer and distributor of quality wicker and rattan furniture.
Store.FransWicker.com - Wicker Furniture Warehouse
New Jersey dealer offers indoor and outdoor wicker, rattan, teak, and aluminum furniture.
www.WickerWarehouse.com - South Sea Wicker Furniture
Since 1984, this North Carolina firm has been offering stylish wicker and rattan home furnishings.
www.SouthSeaRattan.com
Related Wicker Furniture Sites
- Wicker Woman
Find resources and information on wicker, caning, and baskets.
www.WickerWoman.com - RattanLand.com
Indonesian rattan furniture manufacturer and exporter.
www.RattanLand.com - Cyrus Wakefield
Learn about the history of Cyrus Wakefield and his contributions to wicker and rattan furniture design.
www.WakefieldHistory.org
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