Design trend of the month: Rattan
Nubby, organic texture for everything and all.
I’m a design magazine editor and the author of Find Yourself At Home.
I remember last winter when trend forecasters announced their predictions, and many said basketry was coming in hot. So let me make the case for rattan everything, or even just a little.
1. Weight and durability
Rattan is incredibly strong and durable for its weight. It can bend without breaking (great messaging there!), and it weighs very little, so it’s great for anyone who moves (or moves their furniture around) a lot.
2. Sustainability
Rattan, a type of climbing or trailing vine-like palm, grows quickly can be harvested without damaging the plant or the surrounding ecosystem (making it a sustainable alternative to more resource-intensive materials). It’s primarily grown in tropical regions, particularly Southeast Asia (Indonesia being the largest producer), but for true sustainability you’d have to factor in global transport.
3. Versatilility
Rattan products comes in a variety of forms—woven, braided, or simply as solid poles. It can be incorporated into a wide range of designs, from rustic to modern, and can be made into chairs, tables, baskets, and even accessories like handbags.
4. Natural Aesthetic
The material has a warm, organic look that can add texture to a wide variety of spaces — rustic, modern, cozy, you name it.
5. Breathability & Comfort
Rattan furniture, especially when woven, often has a more breathable surface than solid wood. Pretty attractive quality for a warming climate.
6. Adaptability
You can leave rattan in its natural state, treat it with stains, or even paint (ideally with spray paint). It absorbs stain and paint well, which allows for a lot of design flexibility.
7. Affordability
It’s pretty cheap as far as material products go. IKEA has a whole range.
8. Easy to Maintain
Wipe of dust and dirt, oil occasionally to prevent cracking.
9. Nubbiness
Perhaps most importantly, it’s nubby texture is a nice alterntive to the deep deadness of plastic.
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RARIFIED REMODEL
The NYTimes did this sweet story on the full remodel of the Hotel Coronado, San Diego, which served as the backdrop/setting for Some Like It Hot.
HOUSE TOURS
The pattern-on-pattern delight of this British home tour story at Domino.
DECLUTTERING
Despite the hilarity of this Spruce article’s title (“I tried Swedish death cleaning and can’t wait to do it again”), it gets at some important lessons about letting go well before you are ready.
CUTENESS
This HGTV story about green houses (as in, people who painted their houses green).
FUN FACTS
Still into baby name trends 12 years after having a baby. Nameberry is a fun Substack to follow: See this post on trending names around the world.
📖Read any new cookbooks lately?
Cathy Whims, the six times James Beard-nominated chef behind Portland’s Nostrana, has a great new Summer Italian cooking book out called The Italian Summer Kitchen. Besides the veggie forward recipes, I’m a sucker for hand-drawn food, so Kate Lewis’s watercolor illustrations are pure delight.
🎥 What’s your favorite electrolyte supplement?
We bawled our eyes out watching the second-to-last episode of Young Sheldon this week. I can’t recommend it more. The way the show validates and explores differences among siblings and the yearnings of three generations of a family! The 80s everything! I had to drink Buoy drops for three days to recover (that’s an affiliate link, btw).
🎧 What was the last thing that surprised you about the world?
I’m always looking for a good podcast to rage stitch to, and this week I tore through The Telepathy Tapes, a WILD reporting project by Ky Dickens about non-verbal autistic children and their ability to communicate telepathically with their caregivers. That’s all I say, but I’ll also mention that I feel really broken open by this story — much-needed, real-human magic in a world often lacking it.
🏡How was the Terroir Creative Writing Festival?
Amazing! This was our first year at the Stoller Family Estate, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the professionalism of the support there or the suitability of the setting. Zero tech problems. Full rooms of writers. And since I launched a new fundraising program this year, we were able to bring 16 students from the local high school, so even more great energy. I’m so very proud of what our group of all volunteers is able to accomplish. If you want to hear about the next one, sign up here.
😦What have you been doing differently?
It’s porch season! Two hours on the porch every evening, waving at neighbors, getting those light social touches and leaning into a more meaningful seasonal routing.
i think i will have to stay off trend this month ... Rattan is not my vibe but i look forward to your next one ... love your newsletter !