RATTAN MOVES BEYOND THE BEACH HOUSE

THE LIGHT, NATURAL MATERIAL CAN ADD SCULPTURAL INTEREST TO ANY HOME

Celerie Kemble out tted a room, shown above, with a collection of rattan furniture she designed for Arteriors. There’s a reason rattan immediately evokes a faraway feel. It comes from more than 00 di erent species of climbing 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 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 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.

ther novel uses include chandeliers, shelving, and kitchenware.

And the look and feel provides an interesting contrast against prints particularly wallpaper. “Rattan is a beautiful complement to many di erent patterns, especially those that are tropically inspired or chinoiserie,” arney says. e also loves the “elegant and elevated” look of a rattan headboard. And since it comes in many finishes you can opt for darker or lighter shades.

MIX AND MATCH Rattan is the type of material that can be melded into any space, with an eye toward balance. For e ample, a rattan sideboard can be used to soften a dining room that has more traditional or formal pieces. “A simple, traditional piece mi ed with a more elaborate, sculptural rattan piece can bring the perfect synergy into a room,” Thomas says.

“Pairing rattan with some contemporary and structured elements will help make any design more elevated and well-rounded,” says Lindye alloway, founder and chief creative o cer of Lindye alloway Studio Shop in range ounty, alif.

For e ample, Patton has a rattan co ee table in her formal living space. “It makes the dressy, formal furniture and rug feel younger and the room more rela ed,” she says.

Another way to balance the look is through te tiles. “I like to introduce opposing te tures like silk or velvet along with more refined pieces of upholstery to break up the look,” says essica Davis, owner and principal designer of L Design in ashville. She suggests pairing a velvet sofa with a pair of rattan chairs with velvet accent pillows, for e ample.

BE STRATEGIC Most designers recommend using restraint for year-round seasonality and livability. “If you overuse rattan, it can bring about a dated look,” alloway says. “Sticking to key pieces in your space helps lead the eye throughout the room. She suggests using a few items, such as chairs or pendant light fi tures, as a focal point. r showcase ust one large rattan item a cabinet, dining table, sofa and add woven accessories around the room to create depth.

The wonder of this material is its ability to live anywhere and transcend time. A singular rattan element simply feels like it belongs. “I have long been inspired by how notable French designers from the 1 0s incorporated rattan into their repertoire. The most utilitarian pieces were treated as works of art,” Thomas says. “Think of the simple rattan chair tucked up against beautiful marble counters and tables in French cafes. This look has been adopted into so many fabulous kitchens of today.”

From left: A kitchen designed by Lindye Galloway Studio with rattan pendant lighting; rattan furniture takes center stage in a living room designed by JL Design in Nashville.