The rattan furniture frames of the Interieur aux aubergines collection are made by the greatest specialists in the field, who have been based near Brianza, Italy since 1889, and are now among the last in Europe. Each piece is handmade by uniquely skilled craftsmen who, with care and experience, fold, weave, and intertwine the rattan cores, thus bringing to life the collection conceived by Italian designer Cristina Celestino.
Whether it's our sofas, armchairs or coffee tables, each piece is made from a type of rattan called Manau, which can reach up to 1,000 feet in length and is harvested wild in the tropical jungles of Indonesia. Once peeled, Manau rattan has a light beige color, almost white, but it can also be dyed. This type of rattan is widely used in the manufacture of furniture due to its great rigidity.
Rattan
RATTAN AND MAISON MATISSE
According to the traditional manufacturing method, the cores are cut into lengths of 13 to 33 feet and dried vertically; then, the tone, density, and diameter are selected according to function. To bend them, the cores are heated, but not burned, before being wet with a cloth to set the curve. The finest parts, however, more precisely the pithy heart of the rattan, are placed wet in a wooden template, before being removed once dried to the desired shape.
Thanks to the set of nails hidden by the rattan splints, the cores are assembled and sanded by hand to obtain a soft touch. Finally, two coats of varnish are necessary since the first is absorbed by the material; the second coat then flattens down the remaining hairs, which will be sanded again by hand and to protect the fiber. A matte finish concludes the work.
The experience of Bonacina
Bonacina is a historic family-owned Italian company founded in 1889 in Lurago d’Erba, nearby Como, by Giovanni Bonacina. The founder was inspired by the discovery of Rattan, a then little-known natural material imported from South East Asia, and originally produced straw and baskets before expanding its operations over the years to include furniture production.
If Maison Matisse wished to collaborate with Bonacina for the production of Cristina Celestino's pieces, it is because the company is known for its innovative designs, high-quality craftsmanship, and use of premium quality and natural materials such as the rattan needed for our Bianca and Colette furniture pieces. Bonacina's furniture has been featured in many prestigious projects, including luxury hotels, restaurants, and private residences. The company has collaborated with many well-known designers, including Franco Albini and Gio Ponti, to create some of its most iconic pieces (chairs, sofas, tables, and accessories for indoor and outdoor use).
What sets Bonacina apart is their unique expertise in working with these materials, which are notoriously difficult to manipulate. Their skilled craftsmen have mastered the art of weaving and crafting these materials into stunning furniture pieces that are both functional and high-end. Bonacina's commitment to quality is evident in every aspect of their work, from the selection of materials to the finishing touches on each piece. Their furniture is designed to stand the test of time and become treasured family heirlooms.
RATTAN IN INTERIOR DESIGN
In your home, just a single piece of furniture, just a single material, can transform the atmosphere and character of a room. In recent years, our relationship with the home and your well-being at home has redefined our needs in terms of decoration, and the search for strong and unique pieces is now part of a redefinition of our interiors. Rattan has thus become one of the main protagonists in our home decors. From simple to extravagant shapes, it adapts, provides calm and serenity, and naturally takes its place in your home.
With its natural elegance, rattan can be used in a variety of settings. Adorned with cushions, it provides comfort and sophistication in a chameleon-like manner: by letting the light pass through according to the seasons, it brings the outside inside as a way of enlarging our spaces by putting nature back on center-stage.
RATTAN, AN INTEMPORAL OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Rattan has once again become widespread in design and contemporary creations because it has many applications in both interior decoration and furniture design. Flexible, resistant, and warm, rattan is a natural material that can be used to create amazing curves and shapes. A veritable plaything for today's designers, it can easily be combined with other materials to create a sculptural and organic interplay with wood, metal, ceramic...so many possible combinations!
THE AVANTAGES OF RATTAN
Apart from its visual aspect, rattan offers many advantages in everyday life. Indeed, rattan furniture requires little maintenance, sometimes only annually depending on the type of furniture and its use: a simple dry cloth is enough to remove dust and prevent it from accumulating between the rods. Alternatively, a sponging with clean water can be performed before letting the rattan air-dry out of direct sunlight.
Its flexibility allows it to make any piece of furniture comfortable, whether it’s a backrest or a seat. In terms of manufacturing, rattan allows for a wide range of finishes, from dyeing to lacquering, thus enabling it to meet many needs, both practical and decorative.
As a natural plant material, it fits the needs and requirements of sustainable development. Perfectly recyclable, rattan is a plant that regenerates itself once cut.
OUR RATTAN FURNITURE
Discover our selection of rattan furniture made in Italy, for a natural and authentic interior:
