Inside story of cane and jute

Rashmi Gopal Rao

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With ‘sustainability’ and ‘environment friendly’ becoming buzzwords in every sphere of life, home décor cannot be left far behind. Designers today are increasingly embracing material that is natural and eco-friendly and are even working towards homes with zero carbon footprints. In light of this, cane and jute are making a comeback like never before.

Quite versatile, these materials can be used effectively in homes and tweaked to suit modern trends. “These materials blend well with a lot of decorating styles, including ethnic Indian, contemporary and even Bohemian.

From the living room to the bedroom and from the kitchen to garden area and balconies, cane, jute and wicker can be included in your home interiors in myriad ways” says Syed Habib, general manager at Danube Home.

Outdoor to indoor

After several decades of being confined to outdoor areas like the patio or porch, cane furniture is slowly taking centrestage in homes, given its natural, warm, aesthetic resilience and the fact that it is light in weight.

Apart from chic sofa sets, tables and book shelves, woven cane can also be used in sliding wardrobe shutters — set within a wooden frame and covered with clear glass.

“Other ways to use cane is for a chairback, a divider screen between two spaces, and even for door shutters to a family room or dining area where too much privacy is not required,” says Minnie Bhatt, design director at Minnie Bhatt Design.

Wicker, which refers to a technique of weaving cane, is also in vogue considering its elegant, light and airy look.

Upholstered with organic fabrics with some colourful cushions thrown in, these pieces are sure to create a subtly beautiful, yet unique, look.

Statement arm chairs: Either in modern or vintage colonial silhouettes, these have a charm of their own and can be used both in the living as well as bedroom spaces.

Cane trunks, headboards: These are ideal for storage and can add style to your bedroom.

Trolley tables, fruit and vegetable baskets: These can add a rustic charm to your kitchen.

Cane planters, cane plates on a statement wall as well as garden furniture are other ways to use this material.

Jute love

A natural fibre that has the potential to make a simple yet sophisticated statement, jute can add plenty of earthy vibes to your home. Jute ropes and soft jute fabrics are being used increasingly in furniture as well as furnishings like blinds, curtains and cushion covers.

Apart from floor mats and rugs, jute wall decorations, hanging lamps and lamp shades can add a lot of character to any space. Pairing these with indoor plants is sure to create a winning combination.

Often referred to as the “golden fibre”, jute is sure to stay given that it is totally bio-degradable and recyclable.

Dos and don’ts

• Cane surfaces must be varnished or polished for the ease of maintenance.
• Avoid using cane and wicker in bathroom and kitchen.
• Cleaning cane and wicker panels can be challenging as these are woven with small crevices it tends to collect dust. “Hence, regular maintenance and lacquering is a must,” says Gita Ramanan, CEO Design Café.