Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

WHAT IS RATTAN?

Get answers from us at 40th Street Enterprises to frequently asked questions about wicker chair, Rattan wicker Furniture, Patio Wicker Furniture. Rattan is one of the oldest materials used to make furniture. Rattan is a vine, found in Southeast Asia. Typically rattan can grow up to 500 feet in length with a diameter up to 2 inches. When harvested, the vine is cut at the base, so that the vine can continue to grow and be harvest again. The rattan is then sorted by length and diameter. Every bit of the vine is used.

Unlike bamboo, which is hollow, rattan is solid and thus can be joined together by screws and then bound by leather to strengthen the joints and to aesthetically camouflage it. To get the desired shape of the furniture, the rattan is soaked and steamed in water, so that the vine is flexible and can be moulded into the desired shape of the furniture. Once the frame of the furniture is finished, the frame is left to dry and this is how the furniture holds its shape. The strength is so dependable that in Malaysia they are still using suspension bridges of mostly Rattan.

The ability to mould the Rattan poles into the shape of both Traditional and Contemporary styles has given this furniture wide acceptance for homes, hotels and fine dining establishments. It has the ability to always appear fresh and attractive in any room.

The warm inviting atmosphere of a family room or sunroom is the ideal place for rattan furnishings, yet it has the ability to dress up any room in the home.

WHAT IS WICKER?

Wicker denotes a weaving process that uses a variety of plant materials in its production. Originally, wicker was a natural hard fibre obtained from plant materials and woven into a shape. Plant materials typically used are rattan, willow, bamboo and reed, although any branch or twig that is pliant can be woven into a wicker product. Wicker is sometimes referred to as cane furniture; however, the term cane does not indicate the actual material being used. Today, there is a synthetic version of wicker created from weaving plastics. Synthetic wicker products can be made to look very much like plant materials.

Boca uses natural plant materials in the “Boca Rattan” line and synthetic materials in the “Boca Outdoor” line.

Rattan furniture is very durable and will only require some regular cleaning to keep it looking beautiful. It is recommended that a gentle bi-weekly or monthly cleaning is the best way to protect your furniture and keep it looking its best. We recommend vacuuming with a brush attachment to remove dust. For surface cleaning, dilute a small amount of dish washing soap in some warm water. Remove excess bubbles from the top of the water, dampen a cloth and gently wipe the furniture's surface without getting the wood too wet. Be sure to get into crevices and grooves with a toothbrush or other small soft brush on a periodic basis.

Care for stains or other major damage immediately. Use detergent and a cloth to scrub out stains as soon as they occur. For more serious damage like cracking or splitting of the wood, warmed linseed oil applied to the split will help to heal the crack and return lost moisture to the area.

Rattan can easily be touched up with premium wood stains, gloss lacquers or furniture touch up pens, all available from your local home improvement centers.

Additional advice: Place rubber stoppers underneath the legs of the furniture. Keeping a bit of rubber between the wood and the floor will prevent unnecessary damage and splitting of the rattan. Remember to keep the furniture indoors! Although rattan can handle humidity it is not outdoor furniture and should not be left outside. For best results keep your rattan indoors and preferably out of direct sunlight and the furniture will last long and look better.

How To Care For Your Patio Wicker Furniture.

Outdoor “wicker” furniture is made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, PVC and extruded resins. This furniture looks like traditional indoor wicker and rattan, but is constructed with the proper materials to be used in all weather conditions. This furniture can easily be maintained by dusting with a soft cloth and cleaning with a mild soap and warm water, rinsed and then left in the sun to dry.

Your outdoor cushions and material will withstand spills and some water exposure but will wear down more quickly if left outside all the time to absorb great amounts of water. See the section on fabric care for specific instructions on how to clean your upholstered rattan cushions.

How To Decorate With Rattan Wicker Furniture.

1. If you are thinking about creating a relaxed, breezy feeling room then rattan furniture is the way to go. Rattan is perfectly suited for a sunroom or lane area enhancing the openness of the space and instantly transforming it into a tropical setting.

2. Perhaps you’d like to consider adding a rattan piece or two to your living room or dining room area. Rattan is often considered by designers to be ‘transitional’ in that it can be added to your existing furniture setting to produce an elegantly casual touch. Consider adding a rattan chair to your living room. Breaking up an upholstered setting with the natural look of a rattan lounge chair and ottoman will transform it from traditional to inviting.

3. Mix and match your dining area. Try adding rattan chairs around a traditional wooden table to create instant elegance with a casual and relaxed feel.

4. To accessorize your new setting choose over sized tropical plants and a sea grass area rug to center the theme of tropical elegance. A toss cushion or blanket decorated in wild animal prints or tropical floral prints will finish off your room with flare.

5. Keep wall art to a minimum but think about choosing natural themes that reflect the feeling that you are creating with your rattan furniture.

6. Window coverings should be kept light and airy. A breezy off white panel drape or bamboo blinds will be the perfect finishing touch to your rattan furnished rooms.