When it comes to making a home environment-friendly, the key is to use natural furniture. When it comes to opting for home furniture, rattan is one of the natural materials that many people choose. The functionality and beauty of natural rattan remains highly sought after. Moreover, it lends a subtle, rich texture, visually appealing variation in its grain and has a subtle woody scent.
Rattan is a great way to make the home environment more Eco-friendly. Rattan is an outer layer of different species of vine-like, slender palm plant. Among its many uses, building furniture always has been its strongest suit. Crafting rattan furnishing is the source livelihood of a lot of people in rural areas in Asian countries, including Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
It's a highly flexible and durable material. When a lightweight material is woven, it serves well as a basket, mat, rope, table, net, chair and more. Furthermore, it could also be built into keyboard handles or other percussion instruments such as a xylophone. It is even used as a sturdy housing material. The vines could grow as long as 500 ft and 1-2 inches in diameter. When it is harvested, it is cut into 13-foot lengths and dry sheathing is removed. The stems are dried under the sun and stored for seasoning. The long rattan poles are graded, straightened by quality and diameter.
The colonization introduced the West to rattan furniture and since then it is considered as one of the best Eco-friendly furniture around. Wicker, the process of weaving rattan, acquired popularity during the Victorian Era. It was the symbol of tropical island living. People during that time recreated the idyllic lifestyle in their grand homes and saloons with exotic rattan furnishing. Solihiya rattan weaving method became very popular in recent Southeast Asian history. It became so popular during the 19th century Spanish colonial era. Essentially, it is using thin strands of rattan woven into sunburst patterns. When used as the seat of chairs and lounges and backrest, it lets air through, by providing a comfortable rest in the tropical heat.