Cane inspires our creations!
Canning is making a comeback in the design world!
Caning is a weaving technique using rattan, a plant known for its flexibility and remarkable strength. We mostly use rattan in its natural form, or “rotang” as it’s called in the Philippines. It is treated and cut in reeds and woven in different motifs.
Did you know? At the end of the 17th century, the English and Dutch started importing rattan from Asia where they had their merchant centers. Combining comfort and durability, caning was an exotic material met with success in France from La Régence (1715-1723) until Louis XV. It found its way to sofas, armchairs, and headboard through to modernity, notably in the beginning of the 20th century. In 1859, Michael Thonet created the cane chair n°14 christened as THE Bistrot Chair. It was heralded as an iconic piece of industrial design. What followed was a series of other mythical designs also born out of cane such as the Cesca B32 from Marcel Breuer (1928) or even the Rio de Charlotte Perriand (1962) table.
Chaise n°14
Thonet
Chaise Cesca
Marcel Breuer pour Thonet
Red Edition’s armchair cane
The ancient tradition of caning is revisited by adding color, originality and lightness. The creative studio of Red Edition chose to tastefully revamp caning through the creation of the cane sofa, a contemporary piece in its volume and design.
Marie, our artistic director, agreed to an interview…
Why is cane a trend at the moment?
Cane is trendy because there is a desire to rediscover natural and living materials, in line with tihe trend we see in wellbeing and living in more natural ways. There has been a return to certains materials which inspire the art of quality living and natural materials like cane, straw, weave, beautiful wool are part of this heritage. In reaction to synethetic materials and to products without character, there is a design for the consumer to reconnect beautiful, organic, living materials which breathe and evolve with time. It’s reconnecting with the beauty of materials which are fixed but evolve with time, which age. The tactile side of cane and it’s refined aspect attract consumers in search of elegant comfort and value.
With which materials can you match with cane?
Cane marries well with all other natural materials such as thick cotton our linen with its visible threads, fabrics which are more on the “rustic chic” side. It also marries very well with textiles like velour which we have chosen for our upholstery. It can also work well with innovative materials and techniques in order to really break out from its classic feel and create its own breakthrough.
What have been the sources of inspiration for the Cane Sofa?
The sources of inspiration have been the discovery of ancient artisanal techniques and modernizing them, transposing them in a contemporary design for today’s consumer. After working with lacquer for a long time here at Red Edition, we decided to change direction towards weaving and caning techniques by proposing a version for the salon with a refined, stylized design and in association with refined materials of high quality (stained wood, brass, velvet, etc.)
In which interior design style do you see yourself?
Cane is associated with all types of environments, il brings a natural sophisticated touch necessary to any environment. Interior trends today are a subtle mix of codes and references of diverse horizons. It’s an eclectic side which creates a unique atmosphere and particular of certain places. So you shouldn’t hesitate to try mixing, however unusual, between furniture, paintings and accessories. In this sense, cane could be harmonious be it with vintage furniture, classic or contemporary. It’s a material which doesn’t overpower but rather works elegantly with our interiors and brings also a bit of exoticism.