ULRIKSBERG Armchair, rattan/anthracite

Rattan is a fast-growing palm tree that needs to be boiled and sun-dried before it can be tamed into different shapes that we can sit on, rest in, or decorate our homes with. This is where the weavers come in. “We wouldn’t be able to make authentic rattan products without them. They have skills that can’t be copied by machines”, says Andreas Fredriksson, who has designed some of our rattan furniture together with the artisans.

With rattan, it’s possible to create round and organic shapes that are difficult to achieve with other materials. Every rattan vine shifts in colour and shape. It makes it impossible to manufacture two pieces of furniture that look exactly the same. On the other hand, you get unique items with a warm and homely feeling. “There are simpler materials to work with, but the liveliness in rattan is what gives it character. It can create a pleasant contrast to other things many of us have at home”, says Andreas.

If rattan is treated right it can be transformed into almost anything, even furniture with generous forms that can fit in a flat pack. But the design is not only up to the designer and the artisan. “You have to cooperate with Mother Nature and come up with some new solutions as well – but the reward when you get everything to harmonise makes it worthwhile”, finishes Andreas.