FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Materials

What's the difference between rattan, cane and wicker?
Rattan is a climbing palm with a solid stem — that's the frame. Cane is the outer skin of that same stem, peeled into strips and woven into the lattice you see on chair backs. Wicker isn't a material at all; it's the weaving technique. Full explanation on our materials guide.

Is seagrass the same as rattan?
No. Seagrass is a dried marine grass, twisted into rope. It's tougher than rattan and cheaper, but it doesn't take stain, which is why you won't see it in black or white.

What's kubu grey?
Rattan soaked in a clay-grey dye before it's woven, so the colour goes through the strand rather than sitting on top of it.

Is any of this plastic?
No. We don't sell polyethylene rattan. If you want woven-look furniture for a patio, that's the right product — just not from us.

Where can I put it?

Can I use this in the garden?
No. Natural rattan is not garden furniture and a British winter will destroy it. The full explanation, with a timeline, is on indoor only.

What about a conservatory?
Yes, if it's glazed, roofed and reasonably heated — that's exactly what conservatory sets are for. An unheated conservatory in January gets condensation, and condensation does the same damage as rain.

A bathroom?
No. Water hyacinth especially will not survive it.

Next to a radiator?
Please don't. Rattan dries out, shrinks and splits. Aim for ordinary household humidity, roughly 40–60%.

Buying

Will it match a piece I bought last year?
Closely, not exactly — it's a plant. We keep all our stains, so if you need an exact match to something you own, ask about colour matching.

Is it assembled?
Most pieces arrive fully assembled. Bed frames, four-posters and some larger sets come in parts with instructions; the listing says which.

Will it fit up my stairs?
Measure your doorways, your hall and any turn on the stairs before you order a sofa or a wardrobe. Our delivery crews can't take out a window, and a failed delivery for access reasons is chargeable.

Can you make it to my size?
Often, yes. See made to order.

Delivery

How much is delivery?
£9.95 on UK orders under £250, free at £250 and over. Large furniture carries a £49 two-person, room-of-choice charge per order.

How long?
3–5 working days for parcels, 7–14 for two-person furniture delivery booked with you. Made to order is 4–8 weeks.

Will they take the packaging away?
Yes, if you'd like them to.

Care and repair

How do I clean it?
Brush the weave, then a barely damp cloth, dried straight away. Never soak it and never use a steam cleaner. Full routine on care and repair.

My cane panel has gone slack.
Wipe the underside with a damp sponge and let it dry naturally — cane tightens as it dries. If it stays slack it needs re-webbing, which we sell the materials for and also do for you.

It creaks when I sit on it.
A binding has loosened. Twenty minutes with 3mm binding cane fixes it.

Can you repair a chair I already own?
Yes, including pieces that didn't come from us. Send photographs — see restoration.