Do the terms "Rattan" and "Wicker" mean the same thing?
Not quite.
Rattan is a type of plant that grows in southeast Asia and Oceania, and is used to make some Wicker Furniture.
Wicker is a type of Furniture, made by weaving or "twining" material together. That material may be from a Rattan plant, or it may be something else.
The confusion arises because of Synthetic Rattan, a polymer-based material used to make some Wicker Furniture. It may be called simply "Rattan", and the Furniture it's made from may be called "Rattan Furniture". But even still, not all Wicker Furniture is Rattan Furniture.
Our Wicker Furniture line includes the Beachcomber Rope Collection (left), made from braided sisal, and the Sweater Weave Hassock (center), made from palm leaf -- as well as the Vineyard Collection and many others made from Rattan.
Is all of your Wicker Furniture made to order?
All of our genuine Rattan Wicker Furniture items are made to order, in any of 21 finishes, with or without Sunbrella® upholstered Cushions, and with or without a weather-resistant varnish. You get just the piece you want, but it takes a little longer -- usually somewhere between 8 and 12 weeks.
Is your Wicker Furniture suitable for outdoor use?
Most of our Wicker Furniture (excluding fully outdoor Synthetic Rattan) is suitable for what's sometimes called "semi-outdoor" use: places like covered porches and gazebos. But it should never be left in the direct sunlight, wind or rain. Even excessive humidity or dry heat can be damaging to Wicker over time. The Basic Off-White Polyester Cushions available with some of our Wicker Seating and Ottomans are durable, but not rated for fully outdoor use (unless custom upholstered with indoor/outdoor Sunbrella® fabric).
Our Empire and Orkney Chair Collections, as well as the Seagrass Collection, which have hardwood as well as Wicker elements, are strictly for indoor use only. The same goes for the Beachcomber Rope Collection, which is made from braided sisal, and the Sweater Weave Hassock, which is made from palm leaf.
Do I need the acylic varnish application?
A water-based, acrylic varnish is available with most our custom made Rattan Furniture, and is recommended if the piece is going to reside anywhere but a fully enclosed indoor space. It helps to protect the Furniture from moisture as well as the damaging effects of direct sunlight. However, it's not meant to make the Furniture fully outdoor-friendly. (For that, we recommend Synthetic Rattan.)
I like the look of one of the Rattan Chairs, but wish I could get a Rocker, Loveseat, Sofa or Chaise Lounge made in that style instead. Is that possible?
Probably. Many of the Rattan Chair styles can be adapted into other pieces of Furniture, although they're not listed on the site. Contact us to inquire.
Can I get Seagrass panels with items other than those listed under Seagrass in Shop By Material?
The Seagrass Bed and Daybed both incorporate Seagrass Panels into their design, and there are a handful of items shown with Seagrass Doors.
There are many more items, including Cabinets, Desks and Bedside Tables, have optional Seagrass Doors available. On the category page, click "Customizable Doors" (if present) to see all the products with Seagrass Doors available. Then, select "Seagrass" in the Door Style option menu.
Why is the Orkney Warming Chair so low? Is it a child's Chair?
Yes, and no. The Orkney Warming Chair can seat most adults, but is unusually low to the ground.
It's a reproduction of a centuries-old design from the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Originally made from straw and driftwood, some the few available materials, the Warming Chair was meant for sitting by the fire. Its seat was woven, and its back woven, large and scoop-shaped in order to hold in the warmth of the fire. By the same token, the seat was low so that the sitter was nearer to the flames, but beneath the smoke that permeated the dwelling.
Most adults today would find it strange to sit in such a low Chair, and so it's suggested for the following purposes:
All of that being said, we also offer the Orkney Chair (center), a "full-sized" version of the Warming Chair, as well as the similar Orkney Dining Chair (right), which also features a standard 17.5" seat height.