Rattan furniture for a summer residence: a combination of beauty and reliability
The idea of \u200b\u200brattan furniture is firmly connected in the minds of most people with colonial America, Brazil, fabulously wealthy plantation owners and a little bit with slave Isaura. It was in this series for the first time that one could consider the design of the park and garden with weightless rattan furniture, which stood both in the alleys planted with Araucaria and Imbuya, and on a shaded terrace surrounded by hundreds of blooming orchids. A gorgeous and fabulously beautiful picture, isn't it? Now rattan garden furniture has become available for ordinary mortals and any owner of his own plot can decorate his garden with it.
Content
- What is rattan?
- Artificial rattan furniture
- Making rattan furniture video
- Natural rattan furniture
- How to care for natural rattan furniture?
- Remedy for restoring and protecting rattan furniture video
What is rattan?
Before rushing to the nearest wicker furniture store, you need to find out what rattan itself is and how to decide on it.
Rattan is a palm tree lianas that grow in tropical rainforests and reach up to 200-300m in length. It grows mainly in Asia, but in Africa and Australia, there are also several varieties of it. Its stems are flexible and durable, which is why it is popular among the local population, where rattan is widely used for any type of construction (from the manufacture of wicker walls in a chalet to fishing gear). In Malaysia, rattan is grown specially, carefully cultivating it, since the bulk of the raw materials is exported for the manufacture of wicker furniture.
Artificial rattan, products from which are in abundance on the furniture markets, is made from synthetic fibers and plastic. The process of its manufacture is very reminiscent of the stuffing in a meat grinder and its exit through the grill. That is, the finished mass is pushed through the forming holes to give it the necessary shape and the desired length. In principle, wicker furniture made of artificial rattan is not much inferior to natural, and in some ways even surpasses it.
Artificial rattan furniture
The only difference between artificial rattan analogues and natural ones is the material itself. Of course, for lovers and connoisseurs of everything real and natural, the word artificial is offensive. But nevertheless, for placement in the garden, it is best to purchase a set of furniture made of artificial rattan, which is not afraid of either sudden precipitation or bright sunlight. The advantages of artificial rattan can also include:
Strength. Wicker furniture made of artificial rattan can withstand a person with any (!) Weight. She has enough margin of safety. The fibers are braided in such a way that in order to weave them or to destroy the entire structure as a whole, it will be necessary to exert considerable efforts.
Ease. Rattan tables and chairs can be easily moved to any convenient place in the garden or park. Due to its extremely low weight, this furniture has gained popularity as a garden.
Durability. Another big plus in favor of artificial rattan is its amazing durability. This material is capable of preserving its qualities and external parameters for decades. It is resistant to both cracks and scratches, as well as to constant exposure to moisture, which is inevitable in the open.
Cheapness. Artificial rattan is much cheaper than its natural counterpart. This is due to the availability of material for weaving furniture. From the low price, the workmanship does not suffer at all, so you can not be afraid that the openwork wicker armchair may fall apart at the most inopportune moment.
Natural rattan furniture
The amazing energy inherent in all products made of warm, environmentally friendly wood gives natural rattan furniture its indisputable advantages. No matter how manufacturers of artificial analogues try to fully reproduce the appearance, color and texture of natural vines, this is far from always possible and this difference, even at first glance, is very noticeable.
All pieces of furniture made from natural rattan are real works of art, they are absolutely unique and there are simply no identical tables or chairs. This is due to the fact that the texture of raw materials, which has its own natural features, is always slightly different and the pieces of furniture made from it will always differ from each other, even if they are woven in a similar pattern.
Natural rattan is a kind of indicator of the well-being and good taste of the furniture owner. Rattan tables look great in almost any interior, giving them warmth and sophistication, and chairs and armchairs can decorate either a veranda or terrace, or a presentable living room. Therefore, if the budget allows, it is best to purchase wicker furniture made of natural rattan, this will emphasize the individuality of the interior and the prosperity of the owners.
How to care for natural rattan furniture?
Natural materials always require special care, rattan is no exception and it is necessary to adhere to several rules and recommendations when caring for it.
To wash products from natural vines, you can use a solution with the addition of shampoo and polish for wooden surfaces. To prevent scratches, you need to use a soft sponge that perfectly cleans the surface. Before washing, furniture is thoroughly vacuumed to completely get rid of dust between weaving. You should not put hot dishes on the tables, for this you need to use special rugs or coasters for hot.
If coffee, tea or coffee spills on tables or chairs or drops of fat get on them, they must be wiped off immediately. Otherwise, removing stains will be very difficult, and they will spoil the entire appearance of the furniture with their untidiness.
If cracks and scratches are found, damaged areas are cleaned with fine-grained emery paper and varnished.
Long exposure to the sun is capable of causing irreparable harm to rattan furniture; it shrinks and loses its appearance. Therefore, it is desirable that products from natural raw materials are under a canopy or awning.
Polishing street wicker furniture is highly desirable. This will help to keep her appearance as long as possible, and she will look well-groomed and expensive.
