It's easy to admire rattan at any point of the calendar, but arguably, no season showcases its beauty and durability like the summer. This is the time to bring your rattan chairs, love seats, and sofas outdoors (if they're not there already), and as you probably guessed, you're in good company.
Bruce Springsteen, who resides on a 400-acre horse farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey, decorated his front porch with a series of wicker armchairs, seen courtesy of his daughter, Jessica Springsteen. Jessica shared a glimpse of the Boss' rustic porch, where his wicker chairs bring a sense of retro charm to the farmhouse-style space, emphasizing their versatility to work in every kind of environment.
Rattan and wicker pieces are traditionally associated with summer, but as Bruce's front porch shows us, this furniture has a life that lasts beyond summer. If you're thinking of investing in a wicker chair for this season, you can rest assured that it'll still look beautiful and serve a purpose, long into October, and maybe even beyond.
Shop the look
Whether it's by your front porch or patio, this set is the first step in achieving Bruce Springsteen's look. Each chair features an intricate rope weave and water-resistant cushions that are durable and always good-looking, whatever the season.
This chic but strong throw pillow showcases textured knitting for artisanal appeal you'll love almost as much as a wicker chair It features a UV-, weather-, water- and fade-resistant design for lasting outdoor use.
Made in Indonesia, this bohemian piece consists of a handcrafted natural rattan frame topped with sumptuous cushions padded with plush foam and upholstered in lavish fabric.
Part of rattan's charm is its enduring good looks, but as design experts explain, its unwavering strength makes it the best choice for outdoor furniture.
'If you want durability without sacrificing on aesthetics, rattan furniture does this beautifully. High-quality rattan made using PE materials is one of the most weatherproof materials you're going to find on the market, holding up in rain and resisting high UV light on hot summer days too,' comments Jim Evans from Design By Uber.
'Rattan is also lightweight and versatile, allowing you to change around the space's layout with ease.'
Bruce's porch is a failsafe inspiration point, but if you're unsure exactly what type of wicker piece to choose, Jim has the right advice.
'If opting for an all-natural old school rattan look, you may not get as sturdy a piece of furniture as the PE-created options, but you will get a talking point that is as sustainable as it is eye-catching,' he says.
'Rattan is a fast-growing plant with an ancient history of being used in furniture; some antique rattan pieces can go for thousands. It's a very easy-to-grow plant which can also be recycled easily and biodegrade naturally, making it a great choice for interior design briefs where sustainability is key. When placed in a porch, veranda, or courtyard setting, there aren't many materials that beat rattan for comfort and durability.'
Investing in rattan is perfect for the summer, but as Bruce reminds us, this look has a life that extends long into the calendar, and for many more years ahead. What more could we want for our furniture?
