There are style influencers, then there is Zendaya – the Hollywood force responsible for shaping fashion and beauty trends. Unsurprisingly, her open-plan Brooklyn apartment follows suit, starting with a retro staple in her dining area.
The Challengers actress introduced rattan through her caned dining chairs, a series of which surround her light wooden table. While these chairs are part of the dining space, the open-plan layout means that they are visible from every part of the living area – meaning she can enjoy their retro-style charm whether she’s dining or not.
Rattan is one of the top vintage trends making a comeback (though its popularity hasn’t really wavered since the ’60s. However, with that said, traditional caned Bergere chairs with wooden frames and woven cane panels (similar to Zendaya’s) first became popular in 19th-century Europe, notably in the Regency period. Today, designers often bring rattan furniture outside, but Zendaya’s chairs remind us just how beautiful it can look indoors.
Featuring a stylish, arched silhouette, the curvaceous, bestselling Hadden chair has been beautifully crafted from ight oak and rattan, bring organic texture and shape to any sized dining room.
Alistaire Rattan Dining Chair
With a handwoven back, this mid-century modern armchair is a stunning addition to any living or dining area. We love how its surface feels smooth to the touch, making it easy to clean and resistant to fingerprints (becasue this is a durable design trend, after all).
Kelly Clarkson Home Monell Wicker Tray
Looking for a way to tap into the look in a bitesize way? This piece looks perfect on a coffee table, but we also recommend introducing it to your dining table or coffee table (where you can hold your favorite candle, matches, or even a small vase).
‘Rattan furniture is well known as a timeless staple for outdoor spaces, but it can also be great indoors for homes looking to embrace more natural materials. Its woven wicker-like design adds fantastic texture and warmth to any setting, making it perfect for creating cozy, relaxed atmospheres in either outdoor or in-home living,’ comments Chloe Barrow, an interior expert at Laura James.
When bringing rattan indoors, Barrow encourages us to consider the textures that complement it. Zendaya pairs her chairs with white leather accent chairs and a gray fabric sofa – keeping her open-plan living space neutral yet interesting through the varied materials.
‘Indoors, natural rattan immediately introduces an organic, earthy vibe that pairs really well with both modern and traditional interiors. Neutral-toned rattan works seamlessly with soft cushions and throws, which adds an incredible level of texture to a room. I would opt for using rattan as a perfect statement dining chair or as a casual seating area anywhere you may need to fill an empty space,’ Barrow explains.
(Image credit: Emma Lee / Twig Hutchinson)
Sue Jones, the co-founder and creative director at OKA, agrees. She, too, emphasizes its versatility, adding that it looks beautiful in every kind of home (whether it’s modern and neutral like Zendaya’s or even more maximalist).
‘Rattan has always been popular because it’s strong, sustainable, lightweight, and stands the test of time. There’s something about its handwoven texture that instantly makes a room feel relaxed; it doesn’t matter if you’re working with contemporary interiors or more traditional space, rattan has a place in most homes,’ Jones says.
‘In dining rooms, you can incorporate rattan in your furniture, like our Balabac sideboard with rattan doors or a display cabinet. You could also bring rattan elements to your tableware with coasters, underplates, or placemats.’
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