Is there anything much more casual-comfort than wicker? Rattan, seagrass, bamboo and wicker — I love them all, and find that they inject balance and beachy style to practically any room. If your room feels a little too stuffy, formal, or even hard and modern, add some natural, crunchy material and your room will feel cosier and much more relaxed. It’s that woven layer that really makes a space.
Designers like Kathryn M. Ireland use woven chairs, tables, headboards and stools all the time. Here, she’s brought outdoor-feeling rattan chairs inside to warm up a white kitchen. Genius! painted or natural, they look wonderful all together like this. See what I imply about casual?
One other bonus about sunny woven-ware is that it’s fairly affordable. Of course, you can get higher-end items like McGuire furniture, but there is lots out there for the budget-conscious. check out some of my faves.
Go big or go home with this woven bed from Crate & Barrel. I like how fresh it looks with this white bedding. A quilt might seem natural, but could also take the cottage look too far. keep it simple, and that’s what will make it clean and current.
Try a small hit of wicker with a wastepaper basket. This is a stylist’s staple. (I have this very Ikea example at home!)
I love the romance of a room divider, and this woven example from Pier 1 is very stylish. It has a much more global feeling than country cottage.
I love the idea of using woven chairs indoors around a easy table. I’d also like to try painting them a terrific colour. With Ikea’s affordable prices, you can feel totally free to experiment.
If you have a wooden set of furniture in your bedroom, why not break it up with something woven? I love this little table beside a bed. It’s from Crate & Barrel and has a good rich colour.
This trunk from Ikea is another terrific item for the bedroom, maybe at the foot of the bed. Or, two at the end of twin beds!!! but don’t neglect using one, as a beach-chic coffee table with storage. The greyed patina is so on trend!
Whether inside or outside, high-end or affordable, woven furniture is the ideal natural hit for any room.
For much more beachy design, check out my Ralph Lauren inspiration blog post.
Photo credits:1. Kathryn M. Ireland2. Orchard Bed, Crate & Barrel3. Fläta basket, Ikea4. house & home August 2009 issue5. Hästveda armchair, Ikea6. Orchard night Table, Crate & Barrel7. Byholma chest, Ikea8. Kathryn M. Ireland