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Sunday, August 7th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Windward King Raffia Bed
Wicker is often viewed as a material but, in essence, it is a term that is often used to describe a category of man-made or natural materials that are woven. This can be rattan, cane, willow, rush, reed, resins, grasses, splints and vinyl.
Wicker can also be the term used to describe the weaving process itself. Wickerwork is known as an ancient technique that is applied using natural materials. These materials are often made wet so that they can be subjected to the weaving procedure.
Apart from natural materials like rattan, wicker can also be created using synthetic materials like resin or vinyl.
Wicker Furniture Benefits
You might be deliberating on what makes wicker furniture the best solution for your home. First, choosing wicker furnishings means owning a lightweight design element; while you can move it around easily, it is sturdy enough to accommodate people of different shapes and sizes.
Wicker is also durable especially the pieces that are made from rattan. Reed and bamboo furniture pieces are strong, too. Wicker with metal frames is even sturdier and is comparable with those made synthetically like resin.
Wicker is also famous for being flexible. It can come in various colors such as black, brown, tan, white, even olive green. Homeowners have the leeway to add colorful cushions to make the wicker chairs more stylish.
Fine Furniture Design Living Room Cottage Wicker Arm Chair 3222-03-1053
Different Wicker Options
The first kind that you might want to look into is cane. This is made from rattan’s peeled bark. The strips of bark or the skin are cut into uniform strips. What is achieved is an end product that can be used as a sturdy material for the backs and seats of chairs. Cane can also be used for the legs of tables and chairs.
Another type of wicker is rattan. This is a common material that is used in manufacturing stylish wicker pieces. Rattan comes from the climbing palm named Calamus. This grows at about 36 inches each day which makes it a fast-growing furniture resource. Apart from the skin eventually processed as cane, rattan is then cut to different sizes of reeds. These can be used for wickerwork because of its durability, strength and resilience.
The third type is called reed. This is actually the pithy interior of a rattan. It can be processed to different sizes and shapes like wedge, flat or round.
Another type is what’s known as willow. This is a natural U.S. and Europe material that is commonly used in weaving. It can be harvested from willow shrubs and trees. They are blonde and have small knots right where the offshoots have been removed during processing.
Add to this list the ever-famous bamboo. This comes from the grass family which features an outer bark that may be less weather resistant so you just have to use it inside your home. Bamboo is the best material for homeowners who want the classic look of wicker without having to spend too much.
Traditional wicker coming from natural materials is the best pieces to use as indoor furniture. They are your best choice for living room, bedroom, and dining room pieces. They can also be used outside your home but just make sure that you fortify them against moisture and the glaring heat of the sun.
Synthetic wicker has recently emerged because of the growing demand for sturdy yet inexpensive wicker furniture. Vinyl and resin are made from plastic yet they can also be cut into different sizes and shapes just like the natural materials. There is no better wicker furniture for the outdoors than this last kind of wicker material.
So, have you made your choice?
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Friday, February 26th, 2016
The Orient Express Furniture Dining Room Cape Dining Arm Chair – Rustic Gray.Gray 6807
Contrary to the common belief that wicker is a material used in creating baskets or furniture, it is actually just the general term used to describe a group of either natural or man-made substances that can be woven. Materials such as rattan, reed, willow, cane resins, grass, splints or vinyl all fall under the category of wicker.
Wicker can also be used as the term for the process of weaving. The materials mentioned above are processed to create beautiful furniture. Wickerwork is an age-old technique used to create furniture using natural materials. Chosen materials are first subjected to water before the weaving process begins.
Apart from natural materials like rattan, wicker can also come from synthetic materials like resin and vinyl. This may be the perfect solution to your furniture needs, find out why –
Wicker Is Lightweight
Wicker furniture pieces are lightweight so they are easy to carry or transport. Its unique weave makes this typical furnishing for any size and shape of homeowner.
Wicker Is Durable
Wicker furnishings are also known to be durable especially the pieces that use woven rattan. Wicker made from reed and bamboo also has strong qualities. Those that come with aluminum frames are also remarkably sturdy as are those made with resin.
The fusion of glass and wicker in this piece makes Artistica Dining Room Elise 48 Dining Table 812-100 a must-have furniture.
Wicker Is Timeless
If you want furniture style that transcends time, then you won’t go wrong with wicker. Wicker comes in various colors namely black, white, brown, olive green, tan ,and other shades. You also have the choice to add colorful cushions to make the wicker chairs more stylish.
Wicker: The Basic Materials
Cane is a material that comes from the peeled off rattan bark. Strips or skin of this bark are uniformly cut then woven to manufacture the seats as well as the backs of chairs. Cane is also being used on the legs of tables and chairs.
Use a damp towel to clean wicker made from cane. Just make sure that the material does not absorb excessive moisture as this could render the chair or table brittle.
Rattan is one of the most common materials used in manufacturing wicker furniture. Rattan comes from the Calamus, a type of palm. This can grow to as much as 36 inches every day, therefore, it is abundant and highly renewable.
The rattan’s dense interior is cut into different sizes of reeds which are used for wickerwork. Apart from being durable and strong, rattan furniture can resist the harshest climates. This makes rattan wicker suitable as patio furniture.
Reed is the dense rattan interior that can be processed to different sizes and shapes. Reeds can be flat, round or in wedge shape.
Bamboo is a member of the grass family more than being a tree. It features an outer bark that is quite similar to the toughness offered by rattan. Bamboo is less weather resistant, though.
Wicker made from this material makes it an indoor furniture piece. So if you are looking for ways to add the rustic beauty of wicker to your living room, bedroom or the dining room, then you could consider this material.
Willow is another natural material that can be woven to create the loveliest furniture pieces. European countries and the U.S. are going gaga over this material coming from willow shrubs and trees. This is usually blonde colored and has small knots where the offshoots used to be located before they were removed.
Synthetic wicker is a recent discovery. It is made from man-made materials like vinyl or resin.
Wicker Processes
Weaving processes are either natural or synthetic. Wicker is, of course, ideally crafted by hand. It often takes 1-4 days to finish a piece. The tighter the weave, the longer it takes for the craftsman to finish the project.
Apart from the weaving process, there is still a series of processes that wicker furniture should undergo. Two or more of these processes are necessary to manufacture sturdy wicker furniture –
Tags: bamboo furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rattan, rattan furniture, timeless, timeless design, wicker, wicker furniture, wicker furniture pieces
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2016
Fine Furniture Design Home Office Trade Winds Writing Desk 1220-925 at McCreerys Home Furnishings.
The office desk is the central point of every work space. It is crucial, therefore, that you take the time to choose the right one. Don’t start looking at it as a daunting task, rather, an exciting phase that you need to go through.
There are many kinds of workspaces ranging from wide open, tiny to the hugely efficient. The perfect layout only becomes so if you find the right desk. Yet how do you get to choose the best?
The first thing that you need to remember is that the office desk is actually all about you. This is going to be your home base and private domain. While other office furniture must take into consideration other requirements, the office desk is one that has to meet yours. Prioritize your work habits as well as your preferences as you formulate the questions in choosing your work desk.
The office desk is both a computer work station and a place for paperwork. Make sure that it is able to carry computer equipment in such a way that cable clutter is reduced to a bare minimum. Some compartments will serve as storage for your computer components as well as important documents.
Take for instance the Fine Furniture Design Home Office Trade Winds Writing Desk (1220-925). This comes from the fine collection of Palm Island with a unique, softer finish called BALI. This is the perfect desk to invest in if you want your home office to stand out. Its finish offers a sun bleached look. Materials like hand-woven rattan pieces or woven padded twill will complement the BALI finish. Its hardware comprises custom metal and natural wood.
If you are going to use a desk for administrative purposes, then be sure to find a huge one that can accommodate shuffling and paper cataloguing. Storing or shelving documents and records will always be an issue in any office space so it pays to considering having an ancillary cabinet.
Do you also need to conduct meetings while you are seated in your work station? Then consider setting up a U-shaped or L-shaped layout. This will give you both a restrictive space where you can do administrative tasks, and an open space where you can hold conferences with others.
The discreet armoire can tone down a workplace ambiance.
The Hooker Furniture Home Office Skyline Executive Desk is definitely for the big boss.
Desk Materials
Common materials used in crafting office desks are metal, plastics and, of course, wood.
Wooden materials come in different colors and grain patterns.
Desks made of solid wood are great for aesthetic purposes. These may be pricier at first but you get to use it for the rest of your life. When maintained well enough, hardwood desks could even become heirloom pieces.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Treviso Writing Desk 5374-10459 at McCreerys Home Furnishings.
Cleaning Wooden Desks
It is important to clean wood furniture if you want it to last. Solid wood furniture cannot be cleaned with just any ordinary furniture polish. A lot of the most popular furniture polishes have silicone and wax ingredients.
It’s best to avoid these polishes. Wax can leave residue that has a tendency to build up overtime. This can eventually lead to an uneven or cloudy appearance. Silicone, on the other hand, leaves behind white deposits that tend to destroy rather than improve furniture finishes.
Clean wooden desks 6 to 12 times every year. A mixture of mild soap and water should do. Dust your wooden office desk every week using a dry cloth. Dust can also be abrasive so when left on wooden surfaces, it can dull the appearance of the furniture.
Acquiring a beautiful piece such as the Treviso writing desk on the right requires a lot of attention – maintenance wise and social status wise. This office desk was aptly named from a province north of Venice right on the Adriatic Sea. Treviso offers authenticity, one that ages beautifully through the years. Notice that dark macchiato finish of this rustic office desk. It will take you through the Italian Renaissance because of its lovely Old World antique look.
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