Create Unique Living Spaces Using Antique Rattan Furniture
Homeowners looking for a way to dramatically change the look of a room or an entire house can try using antique rattan furniture. These items are one-of-a-kind, not to mention relatively more affordable and value for money. Antique rattan furniture is evocative of an interior design era that emphasized a tropical or African safari look. Indeed, these pieces of furniture were most popular in vacation houses or desert camps back then, but these days they are used in almost any type of setting and type of house, from small condominiums and townhouses to sprawling single-detached homes and large estates or farms.
Classic antique rattan furniture includes sofa sets or settees, lounge chairs, coffee tables, side tables, and even unique specialty items such as bar stools, cabinetry, wall shelves, study desks, baby cribs, and others. These antique pieces are genuine feats of design and craftsmanship, brought to life by skilled artisans through bending long pieces of palm tree stalks into shape and putting them together. Antique rattan furniture popularly comes in the wood’s natural color. A weathered surface with patina is a valuable characteristic in such antique pieces. Bargain hunters should keep an eye out for these big-ticket items. More modern pieces may come painted in solid colors such as white or brown.
As with buying other antique items, shoppers should always check the quality of the furniture. It should be of reasonable quality and condition. Sometimes, there are items that are extremely worn down and slightly damaged, but could still be repaired. Iconic pieces or designer items are valuable finds that might be worth salvaging despite being in very poor condition. The work of a professional restorer might be required to bring out the original beauty of such pieces, but the outcome most often brings much pleasure and satisfaction. The best sources for antique rattan furniture are estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, or even the Internet.
Antique rattan furniture items are the best to use in recreating an exquisite and authentic African safari look, for instance. Any living space in the house can achieve this using the right accessories as well. Antique rattan furniture can be complemented by animal print rugs and throws, leather lampshades, deer antler wall hangings, leather-bound books, and similar other masculine items. Shutter blinds on the windows and indoor potted plants can be added to complete the authentic tropical jungle look and feel.
Antique rattan furniture can also be used to create other distinctive interior design themes, such as a comfy, quaint and laid-back Southern lounge area. This design theme typically requires antique rattan furniture painted in white, and fitted with plush upholstered cushion seats and backrests, usually with attractive prints or floral patterns. The best accessories to go with this themed room are dainty white lampshades, ceramic vases and pots, floor area rugs, fabric curtains, and a few paintings on whitewashed walls.
These are just a few design ideas that are possible with the use of antique rattan furniture, attesting to its utmost versatility and flexibility in design and usage.
