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An outdoor living space, like a deck or porch, is ideal for cooking, entertaining, or just relaxing and enjoying the world around you. However, choosing the perfect furniture for your home’s outdoor area can be tricky. Ideally, outdoor furniture pieces should be not only practical and elegant but also able to withstand rough weather and use. For this, I choose vintage wicker furniture—it is charming, inviting, and timeless! It will effortlessly bring an element of style to your deck or porch.
To help make the search for outdoor furniture easier, here is a rundown of four early wicker furniture makers that will spice up your space with a vintage touch.
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD
Heywood-Wakefield—a name that makes most people think blonde maple and birch mid-century modern furniture—actually started with wicker furniture. The firm began in 1897 with the merger of two highly successful and competitive furniture companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Rattan Company, forming Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company. The company adopted its familiar name Heywood-Wakefield in 1921.
Heywood-Wakefield was an undisputable industry giant of early wicker furniture. Its early Victorian-style pieces produced during the era’s wicker lollapalooza are some hugely popular pieces among collectors. The chairs, sofas, chaise lounges, rockers, and ottomans from this collection are some of my favorite pieces. Their curved designs, plain cane backs and seats, and spider-web cane work can give your deck a glamorous look.
Other intricate designs also drew inspiration from the aesthetic movement and Japanese motifs of the day. You can use these pieces in all their glory or repaint them in exciting colors. If you don’t want too much drama in your outdoor space, you can choose from the company’s simpler arts and crafts and art deco pieces.
LLOYD LOOM FURNITURE
If you haven’t sat on Lloyd Loom furniture, you must have seen or heard about this revolutionary brand. Lloyd Loom was the brainchild of Marshall Burns Lloyd, who came up with the innovative idea of loom-weaving wicker during the height of the Victorian era. Within a short period, this line rocketed in popularity! My family owns a few pieces of loom furniture, and I must say they are as beautiful and fit for royalty as marketed.
You can find all types of loom wicker furniture, such as chairs, tables, sofas, chaise lounges, and stools. As legacy furniture, the company has produced and sold millions of pieces. It is one of my favorite brands when it comes to vintage outdoor furniture.
There are a couple of reasons why I like Lloyd Loom so much. First, the furniture’s stylishly timeless design complements many types of décor. Second, the pieces’ unparalleled craftsmanship and use of fine, sturdy materials make them some of the strongest wicker furniture items you will come across.
You can easily find Lloyd Loom in antique shops as a set or stand-alone pieces. Upcycle and revamp vintage pieces or re-spray them and give your outdoor area a chic makeover.
WHITNEY REED CHAIR COMPANY
As the name suggests, the Whitney Reed Chair Company specialized in producing chairs, but you will find that the firm made other pieces, including kids’ rockers. The company was founded by Edward M. Whitney and George E. Reed in 1893. Although they were prominent manufacturers of high-quality wooden furniture, the company manufactured a line of wicker furniture with limited designs in chairs and tables. Hence, it is difficult for collectors to get a genuine Whitney Reed.
Whitney Reed’s pieces are highly ornamental, drawing inspiration from the Victorian-era trend. The company’s armchairs and side chairs have elaborate high backs with scroll and spindle designs. Many pieces may still feature their original upholstery, but you can give them a makeover with new fabric.
The scarcity of these wicker pieces has made them highly desirable among collectors. Most sell into the thousands of dollars today, usually through auction houses, online marketplaces, vintage shops, and thrift stores. These chairs can bring versatility and classic appeal to your deck or porch.
DRYAD FURNITURE
Dryad—Britain’s largest cane furniture manufacturer—was founded by Harry Hardy Peach in 1907. The company produced numerous cane items, from chairs and tables to baskets, trays, and many others. It marketed its furniture as stylish, strong, durable, and comfortable. The burgeoning worldwide wicker market boosted the sale of Dryad Furniture, and the company employed several designers for its cane line. Soon, it became the hallmark of exceptional cane seating throughout the world.
Dryad’s furniture was predominantly infused with the ideals of the arts and crafts movement and made using English craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Peach drew his inspiration from natural elements such as leaves and vines. The chairs usually have tall or cocoon backs, cane seats, and wooden frames, generally painted red and often decorated with gold leaf.
These furniture pieces would undoubtedly be a beautiful addition to your outdoor space. But, since they are not available in large quantities, their market value is relatively high. Also, most of the time, they are not in excellent condition. Hence, you should check for an item’s condition before buying online or from a store. Most of Dryad’s pieces can be found at auction, but those will cost you more than the ones you find in thrift stores and vintage shops.
Beautiful, functional, and environmentally friendly wicker furniture is desirable among collectors and interior designers. The material’s classic versatility and the craftsmanship of these vintage manufacturers will add charm and timeless appeal to your deck or porch.
Want more wicker? Weave your way through our Dictionary pages on identifying and valuing wicker and American Natural wicker furniture.
Nazia Safi is a freelance writer who has been writing about antiques, art, and auctions for over half a decade. As an avid reader, she is always enthusiastic about learning new things. She studied business administration before working as a freelance writer with several art, auctions, and design publications.
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