Why wicker?
Plant based isn’t just for food; 2020 has seen the resurgence of wicker, traditionally made from materials of plant origin such as rattan meaning not only can your diet be sustainable, your interior choices can be too!
The history of Wicker
Wicker has been around for years and can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt, with Wicker chests, chairs & baskets being found by archaeologists in the tombs of Pharaohs. The practice was then passed on to the Ancient Persians & Romans, before making it’s way across the rest of the world, gaining massive popularity in Europe in the 19th Century. Victorians saw this hard wearing & inexpensive furniture material to be more sanitary than traditional upholstered furniture, with it’s weather resistant quality making it perfect for outdoor furniture as well as indoor furniture.
The popularity of cane & wicker furniture rocketed during the Arts & Crafts movement of the early 20th Century & again when 1970’s Boho had it’s vogue.
Au naturel
As the negative effect that the human population has had on our environment becomes more apparent, we are constantly trying to find ways of combating the climate crisis. Natural wicker furniture & accessories, both antique & contemporary, are absolutely fantastic sustainable interior choices due to being made from organic plant materials such as bamboo, rattan, willow & reed.
In your home
Wicker & rattan furniture has made a comeback & luckily for us, it can work in a whole variety of interiors. Whether your vibe is more Victoriana or Mid Century Modern, there are so many ways to incorporate wicker into your home. Earthy palettes work best, conjuring images of terracotta, clay & tan melding with greys, beige & neutral tones.
In your garden
The natural colour & look of wicker makes it a great choice in the garden, especially when surrounded by plenty of plants and greenery — the neutral tone helps to create a calming atmosphere and blends in beautifully with trees & vines. Just make sure to get a good weather proof cover for when it rains!
