Willow

What is willow?

Willow, which has been displaced by rattan for many decades, is making a comeback. Often confused, these two fibres are in fact very different. Of tropical origin (85% from Indonesia), rattan bends very easily when steamed, but this flexibility obliges the manufacturer to multiply the reinforcements, arches, and frames that can make the product heavier. Willow, a plant from temperate climatic zones (it is in fact simply willow harvested in fine strands, which grows everywhere in Europe), is much more rigid. The curves will be less pronounced than with rattan, but less material can be used for the same strength. The product is lighter, both physically and visually, and some chairs are even built without a frame, just woven like a basket, while remaining very strong. From an environmental point of view, there are two advantages: less material for the same function, and shorter transport. The extremely low labour costs in Asia, which have long handicapped willow, are structurally increasing (and this is a good thing for everyone) as the standard of living rises, not to mention the cyclical difficulties of supply, which, at the time of writing, are causing the price of containers from Asia to soar. Willow therefore has a great card to play and will soon regain the public's favour.

Willow at KOK MAISON?

KOK MAISON, whose history goes back more than a century, is simply reconnecting with its past. When we were still called "La Vannerie Hollandaise" in the thirties (tel. no. 183), the catalogues were marked "Rattan and Willow Armchairs". This fair return of things is today dictated by a basic trend of relocation and environmental considerations. Willow is a very hardy, fast-growing plant (one year cycle only) that grows all over Europe. Central Europe, Spain, France (Haute-Marne and Indre & Loir), Belgium, Baltic countries, Germany.... It does not require any finishing product, even if it is often found in the form of "white lacquer", and is processed (harvesting, peeling, weaving) with very simple tools, but a lot of hard work. There are many jobs on our doorstep, just waiting to be reactivated.

Open weave in willow

Ecological and local, willow also allows very light and airy constructions, in particular the so-called "open weave". This lightweight interweaving of willow strands is self-supporting without reinforcement. This pattern, which is typical of period seating, seems to us to be eminently contemporary and will fit harmoniously into our modern interiors.