I'm always on the lookout for old wicker. When I go to Alameda, a flea market or an estate sale, I am drawn to chippy and weathered old wicker baskets, suitcases and furniture. A couple of months ago, I went to an estate sale and bought this funky cool setee.
Knowing nothing about it's history I did some digging, but since I didn't know what to call it or what it's made of, I had no luck. Then one day, while I was knee deep in an unrelated search for bathtub styles, I stumbled onto this photo from high-end antique store on the east coast. A clue! Was my settee the sister separated at birth from her siblings who now live a swanky life in the Hamptons? I left a message, but never got a return call. At least seeing the exact matching pieces confirmed my hope that the piece was probably worth the investment to repair and repaint it.
Eventually, I contacted a 'wicker expert' who told me that not only did mine probably come from a "Chinese Walmart", but so did the pieces from the high end antique store... hmmm. Not sure what to believe, but regardless I still love it. I'd like to pile it with some John Robshaw pillows for a little boho garden spot I'm creating in the corner of our yard. Will let you know how that develops... The moral of the story - buy what you love.
John Robshaw pillows and quilts
Martha Stewart painted her antique wicker gray and with the pink walls of her bedroom (in one of her homes - don't know which??) created a very feminine and vintage look.
This room by Phoebe Howard is in several inspiration files of mine - the beams, the floor and the light fixture and of course, the wicker chair. I always like to add one unique chair to a room. I love symmetry too (and realized how much after the recent post on Cote de Texas), but I find that adding one unique piece to an otherwise balanced room takes it to another level.
Phoebe Howard
Versaggi Construction
Kirby Mears via Cote de Texas
Remodelista
I adore the hanging wicker lamps in the above photos. Last fall, I bought the Ikea version to hang in the store. Recently I took it out of storage to try hanging outside with the settee, but felt it needed a little stripe or two first.
I was planning on adding a wide navy stripe at the bottom, but I kinda like it just white and cream... Plus the hardware store didn't have navy spray paint. I measured 10" all around then taped a garbage bag over the top and sprayed it with a flat white.
See the navy and white stripe on the beach chairs above? That's the look I was going for with the light fixture. I think I'll get navy spray paint tomorrow for a little weekend project.
For new wicker-like outdoor furniture - nobody does it like Janus et Cie.
At a more comfortable price point, Cost Plus has some great options that can be purchased online. My favorite is the Laguna chair (on sale right now for $116!).
I have a few other projects to tackle this weekend - our first with no sports since last August! Happy Friday!
