Wicker Wonderland
You know wicker is back in style when designers are using it on purses and tote-bags and it is popping up on fabric and wallpaper in trendy homes. Although wicker has a reputation as a summertime classic synonymous with outdoor living, it is now seen to add class and sass indoors!
What is wicker? It is the name given to items woven from bamboo, or flexible rattan, or more recently, synthetics. Rattan is similar to bamboo in that it is fast growing but its stems are solid versus hollow. Because it accepts paint and stain so well, rattan is the most popular material in wicker pieces. It is lightweight, flexible, and durable. Even the core can be made into wickerwork, once peeled!
Economical as all get-out, a wicker sofa-set from your local thrift shop can be updated with a fresh coat of paint or lacquer. New slipcovers in a gorgeously bold fabric will keep the look crisp. Or for instant gratification, invest in a new piece of wicker furniture! High-end purveyors are repositioning wicker as an elegant asset for todays' market-aware homeowners.
You can accessorize with smaller wicker items such as trays arranged on the wall or try a wicker drink caddy as a floral display - carry it from the patio to your bedroom!
Today wicker is not only seen on cottage porches. It is refined enough for elegant homes too! Simply dust it regularly or even vacuum it with a small brush. It responds well to mild soap and a damp cloth.
We can thank the ancient Egyptians for wickerwork. They found it to be effective and beautiful not only for basketwork but for chairs and chests as well.
