RESIDE SUMMER 2022
RATTAN MOVES BEYOND THE BEACH HOUSE be incorporated into styles from traditional to contemporary, emble says. “There is a reason we continue to see it even as styles and design preferences change over time,” says arleton arney, president of Dorothy Draper o. in Palm each, Fla. “It really is classic and, not to mention, very durable,” he says. The most important thing is finding quality pieces. The material is beloved for its rela ed feel, says Phillip Thomas, founder and principal of Phillip Thomas Inc. in ew ork. “I’m always impressed with the artistry of how it can be woven into beautiful, sometimes sculptural pieces,” he says. “Rattan can be at home anywhere from a porch at a seaside retreat in alifornia to a bedroom in a more formal ew ork ity apartment.” And it’s a kind of furnishing you can be proud to purchase. “ hen it’s harvested, it grows back very quickly,” says Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design in ouston. “This makes it eco-friendly and you can feel good knowing your furniture does not contribute to deforestation,” she says. CONSIDER THE UNEXPECTED
THE LIGHT, NATURAL MATERIAL CAN ADD SCULPTURAL INTEREST TO ANY HOME
Celerie Kemble outfitted a room, shown above, with a collection of rattan furniture she designed for Arteriors.
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here’s a reason rattan immediately evokes a faraway feel. It comes from more than 00 di erent species of climbing T vines native to tropical regions including Indonesia, Southeast Asia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and hina. Rattan furnishings have often been reserved for vacation homes or relegated to patio areas. ut people are reali ing their te tural beauty is not limited to island life or for outdoor seating. The material lends warmth and depth and a singular sense of eclectic beauty anywhere in the home. “Rattan is a light-hearted, natural material that often adds sculptural interest to a space as it’s crafted to easily bend and curve and can be woven into a wide variety of shapes and patterns,” says elerie emble, principal of emble Interiors in ew ork Palm each, Fla. and London. “ e’re seeing more homeowners bring rattan indoors,” she says. hether used to craft furniture, lighting, or tabletop accessories, rattan provides warmth and lush te ture. It can
The beauty of rattan lies in its versatility. It can be mi ed with other materials and iterated in surprising ways. emble recently designed a co ee table for Arteriors using clear acrylic and rattan. “The contrast of the natural material with the visibility of the more technical material is ust stunning,” emble says. ecause rattan is so light, it makes for great accent and accessory pieces such as bar carts, stackable chairs, and floor lamps, she adds. ennifer unter of ennifer unter Design in ew ork prefers using rattan in lighting applications. “ e love the way light shines through the material and casts warm and glowing shadows,” she says. Additionally, she incorporates it through accent pieces including side tables, baskets, and picture frames.
