Tim Talks: All About Rattan
Welcome to our NEW quarterly edition of “Tim Talks”, your ultimate destination for all things rattan, sustainable furniture, furniture finishing and furniture care tips. Each quarter we will sit down with David Francis owner, Tim Ledford, to pick his brain about various topics within the realm of David Francis and all things furniture. Tim has over 35 years of experience building, finishing and restoring furniture. His talent and dedication has certainly fueled his creativity and honed his expertise. In this edition, we’re deep diving into fascinating facts about rattan. So, what better day than Earth Day to discuss how this versatile material contributes to sustainable living? Each quarter I hope that you learn something fun and new…if anything, this will make for a great conversation! Let’s get started!
Lariza: Tim, can you tell us a little about rattan?
Tim: Thanks Lariza, Believe it or not, rattan is a resilient climbing vine native to tropical regions and lives beneath the tree cover. Rattan is one of the fastest growing natural materials and it regenerates very quickly, within 6-7 years, making it an extremely sustainable product.
Lariza: Is rattan considered a wood?
Tim: There are over 300 different species of rattan and is typically harvested by hand, with a machete, to preserve the forest and promote regeneration. Rattan has a solid and fibrous core making it extremely strong yet flexible and it is considered to be part of the “wood” family.
Lariza: Why do so many people use rattan for building furniture?
Tim: Rattan has been utilized in furniture making for centuries and its inherent durability and flexibility make it a beloved material, adding a touch of organic elegance to any space, whether it’s in the form of stylish armchairs or intricately woven baskets.
David Francis has been producing timeless rattan designs for over 40 years. We love working with this material as the possibilities are endless.
Thank you for joining us in the first edition of Tim Talks! we hope you’ve enjoyed our introductory exploration of rattan. Stay tuned for more facts, tips, trends, and inspiration in our next issue. Until then, keep rattan-ing!
Sincerely,
Tim and Lariza