Rattan is one of the most prominent natural fibers used in furniture. A flexible and tough cane used for wicker, rattan is used in many ways: for seats, for baskets, even for the whole structure of a chair or sofa. Wicker weaving is still hand-done in most cases, except for sheet cane used for seats, and thus it requires a lot of labor. Good rattan should bend without cracking or splitting. Top-quality rattan suitable for indoor use is usually bleached, and is thus softer and more flexible. When it comes to outdoor use, rattan should remain untreated to preserve its durability.
|
A cousin of rattan, bamboo is a hollow-stemmed cane with a larger diameter. Though it is associated with exotic furniture, bamboo is a very durable material that's twice as sturdy as oak and harder than both walnut and teak. That said, making a high-quality piece of furniture from bamboo requires that skilled craftspeople will select the right stems and use them with care. Since bamboo used for furniture is often lacquered, the quality of the finish plays an important role in the quality of the piece. In general, a good finish is a high-gloss lacquer that is uniformly applied.
|
