Wicker Furniture – What Is Available?
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Wicker— a hard, woven fiber formed into material normally used for furniture or basketry, with the basic material drawn from rattan cane core, willow switches, reed, bamboo, sea grass and water hyacinth—has been made into furniture as far back as ancient Egypt and Pompeii. Today, wicker’s popularity remains high, whether the natural fiber or synthetic wicker such as that made from the Lloyd loom process of the early 1900s, wicker furniture—indoor or outdoor; bedroom, bathroom, or living room—is made in numerous varieties and styles.
Wicker bedroom furniture can be single piece or full set. The Hospitality’s Oyster Bay antique wicker bed set is an excellent example of a full bedroom set. This set can be ordered for twin, queen, or king mattresses. The bed features a four-piece, headboard-only frame and spring platform, and the set includes a dresser chest of seven drawers (three upper drawers, and two vertical columns of two wide drawers each), a one-drawer, two-door nightstand, and a wicker-frame mirror, all of which are finished in antique coloring in a crystallized lacquer. This is part of Hospitality’s Oyster Bay collection, and you can add three-drawer nightstands and/or an upright chest of five or six drawers.
Bathroom furniture usually involves shelving structures, hampers, wastebaskets, and accessories such as towel racks or stands and even small cabinets, though you may find such accessories as wicker tissue boxes if you look deeply enough, as many wicker enthusiasts do. Seventh Avenue, for example, offers an Easy-Care wicker bathroom series that includes a Space Saver shelf structure with three shelves made of resin wicker, designed to stand above a standard-size toilet; and, a hinge-top hamper with locking wheels and removable fabric bag standing 27 inches high. Both pieces are framed with metal scroll-style framing, and each is topped with scroll-style backing. But if you are more inclined to a corner-fit structure, Atlantic Outdoor makes a sturdy, 57-inch high corner shelf structure that features four shelves, one of which sits atop a two-door lower cabinet, and comes in stain or white finishing.
Wicker living room furniture runs the range from single, distinctive pieces to complete sofa and dining sets. IVG Stores, for example, offers what it calls a three-piece banana leaf living room set in which the wicker is woven from banana leaves. The finish is honey toned and features a 34x56x34 love seat, a 34x34x32 chair, and a 20x32x30 ottoman, all with white cushions of twill fabric. IVG Stores also offers a six-piece living room set mostly in white (though you can opt for a brown wash finish instead), with basket-like seat backings, including a 37.5×23.5×21 glass top coffee table; an 80x35x36 sofa; a 57x35x36 love seat; a 36x35x36 armchair; a 25×19.5×19.5 ottoman; and, a 24×17.5×23.5 end table. The seating features cushions available in 41 fabric patterns. In addition, Pottery Barn offers among other items a single trunk made of synthetic wicker fiber and doubling as a coffee table, which you can use with either indoor or outdoor living room-style furniture set.
Outdoor furniture usually features finishes that are made to withstand the elements at any time of year and come in as many set varieties as living room furniture. Dongguan Shin Din, for example, offers a South Calli series of outdoor wicker furniture in a powder-coated finish with rust-resistant aluminum framing. The pieces include a three-seat rattan sofa, armchair, ottoman, coffee table, and accent table, and the seat cushions feature embedded-square backs. Other outdoor sets include nightclub-style chairs, bar-and-stool sets, chaise lounges, picnic chairs and tables, and patio benches.
Even that special little girl in your life who works patiently with an elaborate doll house can be part of your home’s wickering—Town Square Miniatures makes polyresin wicker doll house furniture sets. The Doll’s House Emporium makes a chair finished in classic wood-tone with knobbed fronts on the arm rests and rounded high backs and pink-patterned seat cushions. German manufacturer Korbi includes a four-piece set with column-style seat backs and arm rests, including two chairs, sofa, and small round coffee table, all with orange-painted edging. Moreover, minishop.com offers a four-piece dollhouse furniture set in which iron wire is woven to imitate the wicker style, complete with basket-style seatbacks and valances on two chairs, sofa, and coffee table.
With numerous other makers and suppliers beyond those described above, your home—and your favorite little girl’s dollhouse—can go wicker without a great deal of effort other than applying your own taste and style preferences.
Traditional wicker back dining chairs. These robust classic dining chairs feature a wicker infill to the high backs to add decoration to the set. Ideal for indoor use around any dining table or kitchen table these chairs can add a sophisticated rustic feel to a room or equally complement a classic look. Available in sets of two allowing you to easily create a set to suit you family. Sets like this usually cost $200/pair.
Banana Leaf Woven Armchair. This style of chair is great for a light and airy living room or equally at home in a sunroom. Made from natural materails throughout, chairs like this are only really suitable for indoor use as damp and wet conditions can cause the organic material to quickly degrade. This particular style of chair can be bought as individual units or you can get full matching suites including sofas and ottomans. Expect to pay in the region of $350.
All weather wicker rocker. Looking for a chair for the verandah that you can laze around in all day? This classic style wicker rocker could be the chair for you. The weave used on this chair is an all weather resin weave that won’t be damaged by UV or water, meaning the chair can remian outdoors all year. Frames are made from aluminum for light weight and anti corrosion properties as well as inherent strength. A rocker like this will usually feature detachable cushions and often come with a guarantee. Expect to pay in the region of $400 for a top quality model such as this.
Outdoor wicker sun lounger. Tired of pvc and plastic outdoor furniture? You should look at the new breed of outdoor wicker furniture that offers modern contemporary style at affordable prices whilst maintaining great durability. This classic lounger uses modern materials for durability and to maintain it’s looks over the seasons. Aluminum framing and man made resin wicker weave ensure you can leave your lounger out all year round without problems. Easy to clean, lightweight to move and stylishly good looking, you can get a wide selection of loungers and outdoor chaise lounge for prices starting from $200.