Guides and tips
Find below the Maison Louis Drucker guides for your rattan furniture!
Guides and tips
Rattan weaving: the ancient art of caning
The History of Rattan Weaving at Drucker
Maison Louis Drucker: A Parisian Legacy
Born in the heart of Paris in 1885, Maison Louis Drucker quickly became a benchmark in the world of rattan caning. The secret? A unique combination of traditional techniques and an uncompromising attention to detail. Every chair that leaves their workshops is the fruit of passion and expertise passed down from generation to generation.
The Evolution of Weaving Techniques
Rattan caning has evolved considerably since the company's early days. While ancestral techniques remain at the heart of production, Maison Louis Drucker has continuously innovated to adapt its products to modern needs. The result: a premium choice that combines aesthetics, durability, and comfort.
The Secrets of Rattan Caning
What is Rattan?
Rattan is a vine that grows primarily in Southeast Asia. Flexible and robust, the rattan blade taken from the bark of the rattan vine is ideal for weaving. It is used to cover various objects, especially furniture with a rattan structure. Rattan allows Maison Louis Drucker to create many pieces of furniture, such as bistro chairs, but also rattan benches, lighting fixtures, and headboards.
The Art of Caning at Drucker
Weaving, or caning, is the act of creating a surface by interlacing strands of rattan cane. At Drucker, caning is done by hand, with each chair reflecting a perfectly mastered technique. This process requires great dexterity and years of experience to achieve perfection.
Why Choose a Drucker Rattan Cane Chair?
Unrivaled Durability
Rattan weaving is renowned for its strength and longevity. With minimal maintenance, a Drucker chair can easily last for decades, or even longer. It is this timeless quality that makes it a wise investment for your indoor or outdoor space.
Unique Aesthetics
Each Drucker chair is a work of art. With an aesthetic that evokes Parisian terraces, they bring a touch of elegance to any space. The choice of materials, meticulous finishes, and handmade caning make each piece unique.
What Maison Louis Drucker Recommends
Rattan weaving at Maison Louis Drucker is not merely a manufacturing method; it is a tradition, a heritage, and a passion. If you seek excellence, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty, look no further than Maison Louis Drucker's rattan cane chairs. It is the promise of a top-tier choice, unique aesthetics, and unparalleled durability.
The rattan maker: an art mastered by Maison Louis Drucker
The Story of the Rattan Maker: A Tradition of Expertise
The Birth of an Exceptional Craft
The rattan maker's trade originated from the need to soften plant-based materials to create everyday objects. These artisans specialized in the art of manipulating and shaping rattan, a material with thin and flexible stems. Their expertise lay in their ability to insert the necessary elements to create durable and aesthetic pieces of furniture.
Maison Louis Drucker: The Parisian Pioneer
In 1885, Louis Drucker opened his own establishment in Paris. Driven by a passion for rattan and backed by his expertise, he dedicated himself to producing the highest quality caned rattan chairs. Drucker's innovation was not limited to the quality of the products but also to the techniques employed. These methods, passed down from generation to generation, are still in use today.
The Manufacturing Process: Between Tradition and Innovation
Rattan Selection
The choice of rattan is paramount. It is a naturally robust material, but to obtain a superior quality chair, it is essential to select the thinnest and most flexible stems. This rigorous process ensures that only the best materials go into the manufacture of Louis Drucker chairs.
Shaping: The Art of Softening and Forming
To perform the necessary operations, the rattan maker must master the art of softening plant-based materials. Through traditional methods, the artisans of Maison Louis Drucker use steam to make the rattan flexible. Then, they shape each piece by hand, ensuring a perfect finish.
Maison Louis Drucker Today: Carrying a Century-Old Heritage
A Parisian Icon
Maison Louis Drucker is not only recognized for its exceptional chairs. Over time, it has become a symbol of Parisian identity. Walking through the streets of Paris, it is common to come across a café or bistro adorned with chairs signed Louis Drucker, testifying to the quality and durability of the house's products.
The Challenge of Innovation
Even with over 130 years of history, Maison Louis Drucker continues to innovate. While respecting traditional methods, it constantly explores new techniques and designs to adapt to contemporary trends. The challenge is to combine tradition and modernity. Maison Louis Drucker meets this challenge with brilliance.
What Maison Louis Drucker Suggests
In conclusion, Maison Louis Drucker is much more than a simple chair manufacturing company. It is a living testament to the history and tradition of the rattan maker's craft in Paris. By valuing ancestral expertise and techniques, while embracing innovation, Louis Drucker has managed to secure his house's place in eternity with its furniture.
The caner: art and tradition at the heart of Maison Louis Drucker
What is a caner and why is it essential?
The definition and history of caning
A caner is a craftsman specialized in the art of caning, a furnishing technique that involves weaving rattan strips to upholster or furnish seats, armchairs, and other rattan furniture. Caning originated in ancient cultures where the need for durable and sturdy upholstery for rattan furniture led to the discovery of this unique technique.
The caner and rush weaver: a master of restoration
The caner and rush weaver, for their part, play a vital role in restoring seats. Over time, even the best-designed seats may require repairs. Thanks to their specialized skills, the caner and rush weaver breathe new life into old furniture, restoring it to its former glory.
Caning techniques: expertise passed down from generation to generation
Preferred materials: cane and rye straw
The quality of the material is essential in the caning profession. Rye straw, with its robustness and elegance, has been a preferred choice for centuries. However, it is cane, with its flexibility and durability, that is most commonly used today.
The stages of caning: a meticulous process
The caning process begins with preparing the cane. Once soaked to gain flexibility, it is woven through pre-drilled holes in the frame of the seat or armchair. Precision is crucial here; a single misplaced strand can compromise the entire work.
Maison Louis Drucker: guardian of Parisian traditions
Over 130 years of excellence in furnishing
Maison Louis Drucker was not built in a day. Since 1885, it has patiently established its reputation by producing high-quality seats and armchairs. Each piece is the result of proven caning techniques, passed down from generation to generation.
An icon of Parisian identity
It is not simply the quality of the furniture that has established the reputation of Maison Louis Drucker, but also its undeniable contribution to Parisian identity. As you stroll through the streets of Paris, you will undoubtedly find one of their armchairs or seats, a testament to the Maison's indelible mark on the Parisian landscape.
In conclusion, Maison Louis Drucker, thanks to the expertise and dedication of its caners and rush weavers, continues to perpetuate a centuries-old tradition. The art of caning, with its refined techniques and choice materials, remains an emblem of Parisian excellence, and Maison Louis Drucker is undoubtedly its greatest ambassador.
Caning vs. wickerwork: the art of creating furniture with traditional craftsmanship
The essence of caning and wickerwork
Caning: an elegant tradition
Caning is a traditional technique that involves using rattan canes to weave a jacquard pattern. This technique is used to cover seats, backs, as well as tables or headboards with rattan structures, thus offering unique comfort and the famous aesthetic of the Parisian bistro chair.
Rattan cane is taken from the surface of the raw rattan vine. Different from rattan bamboo, though sometimes confused.
Wickerwork: the art of weaving stories
Wickerwork, on the other hand, is the art of creating an object by interlacing plant fibers. These fibers can come from various sources, including the willow family, but also other plants such as rush or chestnut. Instead of being limited to a simple jacquard pattern like caning, wickerwork allows for the creation of various objects: baskets, lampshades, and even certain types of furniture.
Why choose one over the other?
The advantages of caning
Caning, thanks to the strength and flexibility of rattan cane, is particularly suitable for making seating surfaces. It is a material used par excellence in high-end furniture, such as the creations of Maison Louis Drucker. Rattan has the advantage of being both light and robust, and its jacquard pattern offers natural ventilation, making chairs or armchairs as comfortable as they are durable.
The versatility of wickerwork
If caning is ideal for seating surfaces, wickerwork, with its ability to make all kinds of furniture, adapts to a variety of uses. From rustic baskets to elegant light fixtures, this technique offers unparalleled flexibility.
The impact on modern craftsmanship
Maison Louis Drucker: caning for 130 years
Maison Louis Drucker, with over 130 years of history, embodies excellence in caning. However, it also recognizes the value of wickerwork in modern craftsmanship.
Market evolution: back to roots
With a growing trend towards sustainable and artisanal products, consumers are increasingly attracted to the charm of traditionally crafted furniture. Whether for caning or wickerwork, it is clear that the world is returning to appreciating the authenticity and expertise of artisans.
Caning and wickerwork techniques: a practical overview
The caning process
Caning is a delicate art that requires great attention to detail. To begin, the rattan cane or rattan strip is taken from the surface of the raw rattan vine, obtaining a flexible "ribbon" ideal for caning. Once prepared, it is hand-woven to create the mesh-like pattern. Each strip is pulled taut and fixed to ensure the durability of the seat. The result is a strong and attractive mesh that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
The magic of wickerwork
Wickerwork is an older technique that involves using plant fibers to weave objects. These fibers, often from the willow family, are soaked, softened, and then woven to create an object. The possibilities are endless, from simple baskets to complex furniture. The finish is crucial: it can be left natural, dyed, or varnished to achieve different effects.
Maison Louis Drucker: the legacy of a tradition
A history of passion
Since its creation in 1885, Maison Louis Drucker has been at the heart of the evolution of caning craftsmanship. Each piece produced reflects decades of expertise and a passion for quality. The house is a living symbol of tradition, combining Parisian charm with unparalleled craftsmanship.
A commitment to quality
The use of high-quality materials, such as rattan, as well as traditional methods, ensure that every piece from Maison Louis Drucker is designed to last. Artisans take the time to ensure that every detail is perfect, from material selection to the final finish.
Why the difference matters
Understanding to appreciate
By understanding the nuances between caning and wickerwork, one can truly appreciate the value and beauty of each piece. It also reminds us of the importance of tradition and craftsmanship in a world increasingly dominated by mass production.
An investment for the future
Buying a piece from Maison Louis Drucker is investing in a history, a tradition, and quality that will endure. Caning techniques are the pillar of this heritage.
What Maison Louis Drucker recommends
If you are drawn to the finesse and elegance of caning, one thing is certain: this technique has shaped the history of furniture and will continue to do so. Maison Louis Drucker, with its rich tradition, is the living witness of this history, producing the highest quality caned rattan chairs, using the same methods as those of over a century ago.
How to clean and care for your white rattan furniture?
Basic Cleaning for Your Rattan Furniture
Regular cleaning of your white rattan furniture is important to maintain its beauty and durability. To clean your rattan furniture, you can use a soft, dry cloth or a clean sponge to remove dust and dirt. You can also use a toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Removing Stains from Your Rattan Furniture
If your rattan furniture has stubborn stains, you can use a baking soda solution. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area with a soft cloth and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse the area with a clean cloth and let it air dry.
Avoiding Common Mistakes When Cleaning Rattan Furniture
When cleaning your rattan furniture, it's important to avoid certain common mistakes. First, do not use pure turpentine to clean your rattan furniture. Turpentine can damage rattan and cause discoloration. It is important to mix turpentine with linseed oil or water to obtain a safe solution.
In addition, do not leave your rattan furniture in an overly humid environment. Rattan is a natural material that can absorb water and deform if left too long in a humid environment, for example, in the rain or on a watered lawn. Also, avoid using harsh cleaning products that can damage the surface of your rattan furniture.
On the other hand, rattan is not afraid of sun or heat. It is a very UV-resistant material, it patinates but does not fade, it does not heat up, you can sit on it without fear of getting burned.
If you are looking for additional tips for maintaining your white rattan furniture, do not hesitate to contact Maison Louis Drucker. With over 130 years of experience in creating high-quality rattan chairs, Maison Louis Drucker is the expert in rattan furniture and can help you find the best solutions for your white rattan furniture.
Which materials for your garden lounge: the guide!
Why choose your garden furniture carefully?
Today, landscaping your outdoor space offers infinite possibilities, with quality materials and careful design. Choosing garden furniture can be a source of stress, as external conditions and the whims of the weather must be taken into account. But don't worry, advances in research have revolutionized the industry.
New trends emphasize aesthetics, offering high-end design options for your terraces. The materials used are sought after and of high quality, resulting in a more pleasant and attractive visual rendering. But that's not all! Special treatments applied to outdoor furniture greatly facilitate its maintenance. They make it resistant to bad weather, shocks, UV rays, and heat. No more worries about damage caused by weather conditions or sun exposure!
So, don't settle for basic plastic or PVC garden furniture. Trust the creativity of designers to create a quality outdoor space. Explore the new possibilities offered by high-end, resistant, and aesthetically pleasing garden furniture. It's time to rethink your outdoor space and fully enjoy your garden with style!
Why not rattan garden furniture?
Faced with competition from synthetic materials, especially plastic, why not opt for rattan garden furniture? Rattan offers a natural and elegant alternative for furnishing your outdoor space. Unlike plastic, rattan brings a touch of warmth and authenticity to your garden. Rattan furniture is known for its timeless aesthetics and natural charm. It can easily integrate into different garden styles, whether modern, classic, or bohemian.
Moreover, rattan is a durable and resistant material. It can withstand temperature variations and bad weather without deteriorating. With regular maintenance, your rattan garden furniture can last for many years, making it an ecological and economical choice. In terms of comfort, rattan offers a pleasant seating experience thanks to its natural flexibility. Rattan chairs and armchairs conform to the body's shape, providing ergonomic support for moments of relaxation outdoors.
The seats, backrests, and armrests of our rattan furniture are always upholstered with caning, for which you can choose the pattern and colors. Whether you prefer clean lines or elegant curves, you will find rattan furniture that matches your tastes and style. So, why not consider rattan garden furniture to add a natural and refined touch to your outdoor space?
Metal: Robustness and Modernity
If you are looking for a resistant and contemporary option for your garden lounge, metal is a choice to consider. Maison Louis Drucker offers to manufacture aluminum furniture identical to rattan furniture. Metal garden furniture, such as those made of aluminum or steel, offers excellent durability and weather resistance. With an aluminum structure, they are lightweight and easy to move according to your needs. Moreover, they often feature clean lines and modern designs, bringing a touch of sophistication to your outdoor space.
Aluminum is also appreciated for its UV resistance, which means your garden furniture will retain its color and shine even after prolonged exposure to the sun. Furthermore, metal furniture is easy to maintain; simply clean it regularly with soapy water to keep it clean and in good condition.
With a wide range of styles and finishes available, metal garden furniture offers you the possibility to create a modern and contemporary garden lounge, perfect for design enthusiasts.
Why not a combination of several materials (multi-materials): another trend
All outdoor furniture manufacturers have embarked on the production of multi-material furniture. At Maison Louis Drucker, the structure of the seats is made of rattan or aluminum. Note that this furniture covered with synthetic fibers is very easy to clean and resistant to bad weather, UV rays, microbes, and tearing.
Our expert advice from Maison Louis Drucker for choosing your garden lounge materials!
Are you looking for originality and durability in your garden? Then choose rattan garden furniture from Maison Louis Drucker! These include:
Garden tables;
Garden furniture;
Museum garden chairs;
Small tables;
Etc.
And always in your desire to reconnect with artisanal design, timeless handmade rattan furniture dominates in the gardens of thousands of French and foreign homes. This type of furniture is not only bohemian and trendy but also classic and elegant.
For a peaceful and more elaborate atmosphere in your garden, you can also opt for:
Wooden pallets;
Colorful cushions;
Shade sails.
Let your rattan furniture age gracefully; this will give it an elegant patina, and if you find that it definitely needs a little refresh, our team of Maison Louis Drucker professionals is at your disposal to assist you with all your inquiries. Contact us for more information!
How to strip rattan: our tips for your furniture
What is rattan?
Coming from the palm tree called rattan, rattan is a stem generally used for making furniture and objects. It has the shape of a thorny liana and can reach a length of 200 meters. Rattan grows in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.
A very trendy natural material in basketry, rattan is now one of the favorite materials of French cabinetmakers.
What are the qualities of rattan?
The different qualities of rattan are:
Lightness: the rattan liana, both dense and light, makes very strong and very light furniture;
Resistance: rattan furniture is very strong and quite resistant to rain and sun. However, it should not be stored in a damp place or left out in the rain for an entire season.
What color is rattan?
Rattan can have the following colors:
natural coloring: natural rattan has several shades ranging from pale yellow: Manila rattan to dark brown (Malacca rattan);
artificial coloring: it is now possible to opt for a more original coloring through paint. You can thus give your furniture and objects the color you like.
Why would you want to strip your rattan furniture?
To strip rattan is to remove the top layer of the material to give it a new color or more shine. You can add a touch of originality, standardize the color of your furniture or simply restore and refresh it.
Our Maison Louis Drucker techniques for effective stripping of your rattan furniture
For stripping your rattan furniture, who better than your Maison Louis Drucker experts. The various cleaning techniques that we offer are:
Stripping oiled rattan
To clean oiled rattan furniture, you can use water with added detergent at a rate of 25 grams or two tablespoons per liter of water. Use a nylon brush to scrub before rinsing with water. After draining, you can apply 90° alcohol before wiping with a damp cloth.
However, this last operation is not essential, as it is quite delicate and risks damaging your rattan.
Stripping moldy rattan
To clean gray moldy rattan chairs, don't worry! Rub it with a sponge soaked in a mixture of one liter of lukewarm water, then let the furniture rest.
To clean synthetic rattan furniture, let it air dry without exposing it to the sun. Use a hairdryer to speed up drying if it is natural rattan.
Stripping white rattan
If you want to strip your white rattan furniture, you will have to repaint it white or another color. If you want to strip it, mix 2 tablespoons of lemon with a liter of water and scrub vigorously all over the rattan with a brush to bring out the gray and black stains. And if you can't restore its original whiteness, you can always repaint your furniture in a special color.
Stripping varnished rattan
The cleaning of varnished rattan is an operation that requires a lot of care and perseverance. Rub with a stripping brush. Afterwards, wipe with a soft cloth. Once the furniture is dry, apply clear varnish to it to protect it.
You now know how to strip your rattan furniture. However, rather than doing it yourself, what could be better than having it done by experts with skillful hands. At Maison Louis Drucker, you will find experienced specialists for cleaning your rattan and even furniture made from this material.
Caning: definition, characteristics, and advantages!
Do you want to know more about caning?
Our natural materials specialists at Maison Louis Drucker will tell you all about this timeless technique!
What is caning?
You may have missed an opportunity to be fashionable with furniture that gets people talking. While it's true that trends come back around, this is your chance to update everything by choosing the best caning for your furniture.
Caning is a traditional weaving technique of rattan strands on a frame. Appearing in the 12th century in England where the first caned chairs were made, caning is, by metonymy, the caned part of a seat. The rattan strands are thus intertwined and then fixed to the perimeter of a chair. French cabinetmakers were able to extend this technique to several types of furniture, notably:
Sofas;
Accessories;
Luminaires;
Headboards
Wall hangings.
What are the different types of caning?
Thanks to its many qualities, caning ensures the manufacture of more than one creative and decorative furniture model! It brings a natural and original touch. You can therefore create different kinds of decorative objects using caning.
There are several types of caning:
Traditional caning: Here, the work is entirely handmade; it is the most common technique. Also called French six-strand caning, it is knotted strand by strand, passing through the frame and lodged in a groove.
Mechanical caning: It is forced into a groove and glued. Mechanical caning is used for industrial production.
Through-style caning or French caning: It is generally used for weaving seats. This is a hand-weaving technique, done strand by strand. It is the same technique used for weaving traditional openwork chairs;
Pegged and glued caning: It can be used for weaving chair backs, armchair sides, and seats. It is non-through and made on blind holes;
Industrial-style caning: In the form of a pre-woven roll, this style of caning became widespread in Europe in the early 1970s with mass-produced and assembled chairs;
Solid checkerboard-damask style caning: This style of caning replaced the straw seating of rustic-looking chairs;
Danish cord weaving: Very often hand-braided, this style of caning elegantly adorns the seats of Scandinavian-style chairs. It is a high-quality and timeless weave.
What are the advantages of caning for your interior furniture?
Caning offers many advantages for your interior:
Class, comfort, and elegance. Caned furniture provides a refined style to enhance your interiors.
To remind you of nature and tropical moods, caning is very often green. It is also pink or purple to be in tune with 2019 interior design trends. It thus confers a bohemian and romantic style to your interiors.
Caning conveys the values of our modern societies. Thanks to this technique, interior decoration is no longer just a pleasure, but a way of life.
Do you want to maintain your home in an atmosphere that is natural, warm, bright, and stylish all at once? What could be better than caned rattan furniture? Taking care of it doesn't require much effort.
Caning is a technique that requires patience, tenacity, and meticulousness. For a successful caned piece of furniture, it sometimes takes eight to twelve hours of work. For some pieces, the work can be more extensive.
Maison Louis Drucker has been custom manufacturing caned rattan furniture since 1885. Maison Louis Drucker has become the iconic brand for caned rattan furniture. Do not hesitate to contact us; together we will create your unique piece of furniture with your colors and your weave.
Chair caning repair: how to proceed?
Do you want to know how to repair caning on a chair?
Find out some practical tips and tricks in this article.
What is caning?
The word caning very often refers to a hand-weaving activity. In the furniture industry, caning is a traditional weaving technique based on several natural and artificial materials. This weaving method is mainly found in the making of rattan or synthetic resin furniture.
Also known as "braiding," this technique involves interlacing the fibers of a material to form a solid and aesthetic whole. Caning also serves to fill or complete the design of certain luxury furniture. Caning the backrest or seat of a rattan chair thus involves manually filling the gaps in this part using woven rattan strips.
How to repair chair caning?
Firstly, chair repair requires the use of appropriate tools. It is essential to be delicate and patient, as the workload depends on the size of the furniture to be repaired.
What tools are needed to repair chair caning?
Repairing chair caning requires the use of DIY equipment suitable for the activity.
Among the various essential utensils and tools, we can mention:
Caning fibers;
Cane spline and wood glue;
Large paintbrush, utility knife, and wood chisel;
Hammer, cardboard template, and stapler;
Wedge and basin.
The repair can begin once the tools are made available to the craftsman. However, it is also important to ensure that the caning fibers and cane spline match those of the chair to be repaired.
What are the different repair steps?
After acquiring the necessary tools, repair involves several steps:
Step 1 (preparation): Using your wood chisels, remove the cane spline that holds the caning. Then, cut the new caning with your utility knife to the desired dimensions. Continue by delicately scraping around the edge of your chair so that any caning strands and glue residue disappear;
Step 2 (cutting): On the damaged seat, place a piece of cardboard that you have cut to the measurements of the seat. The goal is to obtain a cardboard template that has the shape of the seat;
Step 3 (weaving): Fill a basin with lukewarm water and soak the newly prepared caning. Once dry, place it on your seat and make sure it overlaps around the edge. Then, you must interlace this caning with the tip of the scissors, taking care to hold it firmly in place with a stick;
Last step (installation): Thoroughly apply glue to the parts of the caning that will be in contact with the seat. Then, put the cane spline in place so that it is well embedded in the caning, and finally, wedge it with the hammer.
Repairing chair caning generally takes between 20 and 30 minutes. However, this operation can sometimes take hours, depending on the level of deterioration of the caning. It is therefore important to call on a professional, as this work requires know-how and great skill.
How to protect chair caning?
Although very resistant, furniture with caning eventually ages and degrades after some time, especially if poorly maintained. To mitigate these risks, it is necessary to perform regular maintenance on this furniture.
There are several tips to bring new life to caned furniture. Among the most commonly used methods, you can:
Store the furniture in a dry place, regardless of the weather (especially during winter and rainy periods);
Clean the chairs regularly using a dry cloth and possibly a sponge with slightly soapy water. Do not use baking soda, as it may damage your chair.
To ensure the longevity and preserve the beauty of your furniture, anticipate bad weather by taking care of them.
Maison Louis Drucker: a reference for caned rattan chairs!
Maison Louis Drucker is a company specializing in the artisanal manufacture of rattan furniture since 1885. Our ancestral know-how has earned us the label of a Living Heritage Company. Given this experience, we confidently provide our customers with advice on appropriate methods for maintaining their rattan furniture.
We also offer our customers restoration and cleaning services for their rattan furniture. So, don't hesitate and contact us to enjoy the best rattan caning chairs!
Repairing chair caning is a long and extremely delicate task. Although it can be done by individuals, it is advisable to call on a professional to carry out this work. So, opt for Maison Louis Drucker furniture and benefit from personalized follow-up for your chairs!
What are the different caning techniques?
What is the caning technique?
Caning is a technique that consists of weaving rattan strips. This operation is generally performed on rattan, as it combines naturalness, biodegradability, lightness, flexibility, and rot resistance.
We can distinguish these types of caning:
Full checkerboard;
Openwork;
Doweled and glued;
Marquise or French.
What are the different caning techniques?
There are two main caning techniques: the traditional technique and the industrial technique.
The traditional or artisanal technique
Traditional caning consists of manually weaving six strands of rattan bark to create regular octagons. The width of the strands ranges from 1.6 mm to 3 mm depending on the space between the holes. It is not the same during assembly or filling.
Weaving is done in three steps:
Assembly: This is achieved by interlacing two horizontal and two vertical strands. Then, the craftsman passes them through each of the holes in the backrest or seat to be adorned. Finally, the strands taken in pairs will form a surface of small squares with an untangled appearance to create a regular pattern;
Filling: This is done by tying a strand diagonally and filling it with small squares. At the end of the process, the caner has a hexagonal pattern, and the strands used have a more voluminous structure than during assembly;
Finishing: The craftsman slides a spline to hide the frame holes and stretch the caning if necessary.
The industrial or mechanical technique
Industrial or "pre-caned" caning is used to design mass-produced seats and cover frames. It is woven on mechanical looms and uses a natural material even if its frame has no holes.
The latter has a groove crimped with a piece cut to the size of this rattan cane "fabric" which is held and secured by a rattan pith filament.
The bare chair technique
To carry out this technique, it is necessary to unglue the spline and the pieces of caning caught in the groove of the seat. Then, the craftsman moistens the inside of the groove, which helps remove excess glue and caning.
Wet wood becomes fragile and requires particular attention to avoid slipping. This phase requires great dexterity, otherwise, the wood of the seat will be damaged.
The bare chair technique goes through several stages, namely:
Removing the old caning: remove the spline from the edges of the groove with a cutter without notching the edges of the furniture. With a screwdriver or scissors, completely empty the groove;
Installing the new caning: the rattan caning is soaked in warm water before being stretched and blocked with a maximum of ten wedges. However, these can be removed to make way for a thin line of wood glue;
Performing finishing touches: a piece of spline is cut with a length slightly greater than that of the groove. Then, a sacrificial piece is placed with a mallet to force the cut spline into the groove.
Caning work requires patience, perseverance, and meticulousness. Eight to twelve hours of work are necessary to weave an ordinary seat. However, it sometimes happens that artisans complete certain pieces in over 100 hours.
Maison Louis Drucker: the benchmark for the best rattan caned chairs!
Traditional caning alone promises durability and weaving quality. It is also the technique on which Louis Drucker bases his custom-made rattan furniture creations.
At Louis Drucker, our professionals have defined five caning ranges, namely:
Basic;
Classic;
Prestige;
Exceptional;
Masterpiece.
These ranges offer you a wide choice for customizing your various furniture (caned chairs, tables, etc.).
Choosing Maison Louis Drucker means choosing the best rattan caned furniture. Our specialists design several models of chairs by hand and to measure. So, don't wait any longer and contact us to enhance your spaces!
How to clean varnished rattan?
Cleaning varnished rattan is essential to preserve the beauty of your rattan chairs, armchairs, or tables. Rattan is a material derived from palm-like shrubs. In our societies, it is a raw material used to design furniture and other decorative objects such as rattan chairs, armchairs, or tables.
Do you want to give your varnished rattan a new lease of life? Maison Louis Drucker gives you some tips for cleaning and maintaining your varnished rattan to ensure its longevity.
Perform regular cleaning...
To effectively maintain your varnished rattan furniture, we advise you to clean it at least once a week and/or once every three months.
Start by cleaning it using:
A handheld vacuum cleaner;
A sponge;
A little warm, slightly soapy water;
And a dry cloth.
The vacuum cleaner will allow you to clean accumulated dust. Don't hesitate to inspect the furniture's crevices to ensure you have thoroughly removed dust from these areas. Afterward, clean the rattan with a soft, dry cloth.
Once every three months, deep clean your varnished rattan. After dusting it with the handheld vacuum cleaner, use a sponge moistened with a little warm, soapy water. In two liters of warm water, add two teaspoons of liquid soap or powdered soap, then mix everything until you obtain a homogeneous, frothy solution. You can replace the sponge with a soft-bristled brush.
After cleaning your furniture or decorative object with this solution, rinse it using cold plain water and a sponge.
Then, apply a solution composed of:
Half a liter of water;
Two tablespoons of linseed oil;
And one spoon of turpentine.
Clean lightly, rinse, and let the furniture air dry. Avoid exposing it to the sun, as this could cause its fibers to burst.
These cleaning tips can also be applied to rattan with mold stains that have turned black.
...Then restore shine to your varnished rattan!
Over time, varnished rattan furniture or decorative objects tend to dull. To restore their shine and clean varnished rattan, use a sponge, hydrogen peroxide, and plain water. Soak the sponge in hydrogen peroxide and clean your rattan. Then, rinse and air dry it.
Sometimes, the lack of shine is due to the creaking of the rattan fibers. When your rattan furniture or decorative object creaks, it means that the fibers are becoming drier. To remedy this problem, apply half a glass of paraffin oil to the forks with a paintbrush and let it dry.
After a year, you can reapply a layer of clear varnish to your rattan to give it even more shine. It will then be like new!
Caution: if you are advised to use baking soda, please note that it is not suitable for varnished rattan furniture. However, other products such as soda crystals can be used to clean varnished rattan furniture, but in very small quantities.
Finally, rattan furniture and decorative objects are pleasant to look at when regularly cleaned and maintained. Now you know what to do to extend the life of your varnished rattan. For any custom furniture needs, discover our wide range of unique rattan models or contact our Maison Louis Drucker experts directly!
What's the difference between poly rattan and woven resin?
Polyrattan and woven resin are terms used to describe a synthetic fiber used to cover outdoor and indoor furniture (chairs, armchairs, coffee tables, pedestals, etc.).
If the expressions "polyrattan or woven resin" and "polyrattan and woven resin" are confusing and a bit disorienting, this article will give you precise information to help you resolve this dilemma.
Polyrattan and woven resin: two terms from the same family?
When you see a piece of furniture made of woven resin, it visually reminds you of rattan. This is why woven resin is also called polyrattan. These two terms therefore have the same connotation.
When you search online, you will find the same information regarding polyrattan and woven resin.
What is woven resin or polyrattan?
Woven resin is a synthetic fiber used to cover indoor or outdoor furniture whose structures can be made of natural rattan or aluminum. Garden furniture, patio chairs, indoor armchairs, bistro benches, etc. Good quality woven resin is very lightweight and durable. It is available in round or flat strips.
It visually resembles natural rattan strips, hence its second name, polyrattan. Except that it is a synthetic fiber made of 100% recyclable polyethylene. This is why some people define it as a kind of synthetic rattan.
How are polyrattan furniture made?
To manufacture flat woven resin furniture, manufacturers or artisans use metal structures made of aluminum or, more traditionally, structures made of natural rattan. While rattan structures are quite durable, aluminum structures are much more so. They are resistant to moisture and sun and can remain outdoors in all weather conditions. This increases the lifespan of the furniture.
The methods used to produce quality resin give it properties such as:
Flexibility;
Strength;
And very good resistance to moisture.
This is why most people choose woven resin furniture for outdoor use (garden, pool area, veranda, patio, etc.).
At Maison Louis Drucker, we have chosen to offer you different types of high-end furniture in aluminum or rattan. The same furniture can be available in natural rattan for indoors and in aluminum for outdoors. Our furniture is resistant to bad weather and certain liquids like chlorinated pool water.
About woven resin or polyrattan
Furniture made of rattan or aluminum covered with woven resin is very trendy nowadays. It is very common and almost essential in the field of outdoor furniture (woven resin garden furniture). In addition, polyrattan can adapt to several different styles and atmospheres.
Its aesthetic appeal and resistance make it the star product for covering rattan or aluminum furniture. Although polyrattan is not a natural material like rattan, it has the advantage of being a recyclable plastic.
Moreover, it does not fade easily. It is very resistant to bad weather, humidity, and ultraviolet rays. With furniture covered with woven resin, you will no longer have mold problems.
For any need for custom-made woven resin furniture, contact us by email or by phone, at 03.44.88.32.92.