It is likely that you have not given wicker furnituremuch thought at all when decorating or furnishing your home or office. From what you remember of your grandmother’s patio, the style is uncomfortable and unappealing. However, perhaps it is time you reconsidered this casual but classy material. Like so many other styles, it has been reinvented and redesigned, and its newer versions might just surprise you.
The evolution
Wicker is made of a variety of vines, grasses, and plants that are woven into the furniture. The four major types are rattan, reed, willow, and bamboo. Wicker furniturefirst became popular during the Victorian era, when its smooth lines and curves were valued for their design and cleanliness. Its popularity made its way to the United States through European immigrants, and eventually Americans adopted and adapted the furniture to fit their own needs and styles. In 1995 the Smithsonian did a wicker retrospective and the trend resurfaced, once again in Europe first, then the States. Also just as before, Americans took the European styles and reinvented them to create a fashionable, utilitarian approach to wicker.
The tightly woven and smaller designs that are often still associated with wicker furniture have given way to larger, brighter pieces. Chairs and sofas are often found in brick red, hunter green, or golden yellow, and boast wider seats and comfortable cushions. Cushions are often covered in a softer material with colorful prints and patterns, from Hawaiian to stripes.
Wicker has even made the leap from mere furniture to walls. Designers have been weaving walls from quarter-inch split cane. These walls are often used as a seamless transfer from an indoor room to an outdoor room. Instead of a noticeable break from outside to inside, the use of wicker walls along with coordinating colors and textures creates a natural flow.
Wicker has become more and more appealing to men, who enjoy its simplicity and sturdiness. However, when choosing wicker furniture, it is important to choose a woven material that is dense. Light wicker is unsteady and unreliable. It is also important to find furniture that is made on a hardwood or rattan frame to increase its sturdiness and durability. Higher quality wicker will not crack or peel, but cheaper versions might split, leaving stray pieces that will poke your skin. Also, if your wicker is going to be placed on a patio, look for specially-treated furniture made with molded resin or coated with plastic. These materials will protect the furniture from the sun and humidity.
Caring and Maintenance
As stated before, carefully choosing your pieces will ensure their quality and durability. However, even with higher-end pieces it is important to take a few steps to treat and maintain your furniture. While wicker does fit well on patios and porches, it is not wise to leave the furniture under constant direct sunlight and dew. For protection, a layer of clear varnish, shellac, or lacquer can be applied to your furniture. Wiping the pieces occasionally with a damp sponge may also help to reduce the cracking caused by humidity.
Cleaning your furniture regularly helps to keep the furniture fresh looking. Vacuum away loose dirt and then lightly wipe with a sponge dampened with detergent and water. Use a small brush to clean crevices and cracks. Never wet wooden parts of the furniture, and remember to pat down the parts you have cleaned with a dry towel.
Besides regular cleaning, it may be necessary to do an annual thorough cleaning of your furniture. Scrub with warm water and detergent and spray rinse with a garden hose. It is important to dry the furniture as fast as possible by putting it under the hot sun, using a hair drier, or using a large fan. However, you obviously do not want to treat painted wicker as described above. Treat painted wicker as you would painted wood.
By Leslie Shaffer