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Handwoven chairs for reading corners, dining tables and verandas: a classic Malawi chair with its rounded barrel back, rattan armchairs in open and square weaves, dining and counter chairs, a reclining steamer chair, a butterfly chair and a hanging egg chair.
Each chair is shown in a real room with its measurements on the product page, so you can check the seat height and footprint before you order. All are woven by hand, so each piece varies slightly.
Choosing a woven chair
Decide what the chair is for first. A reading chair wants a deeper, lower seat and arms, such as the steamer, veranda or butterfly chair. At a dining table, check the seat height against your table: most dining tables suit a seat of about 45 cm, and each product page lists the seat height where the maker gives it. At a kitchen island, the counter chair and counter stool sit higher.
The Malawi chair
The Malawi chair is recognisable by its rounded barrel back that curves into the arms, a fine open lattice on the back and sides, and a woven seat on four wooden legs. It is compact, at about 53 cm wide, so it fits a bedroom corner or pairs up either side of a small table. Add a linen cushion for longer sitting.
Chairs and art together
A woven chair in a corner is a small, complete scene. Hang one print at seated eye level above or beside it, something from our still life photography prints, and add a small side table for a lamp or a cup.
Questions about Malawi and rattan chairs
Are Malawi chairs comfortable?
The woven seat has a little give and the barrel back supports you around the shoulders, so they are comfortable for sitting upright, reading or talking. Most people add a flat seat cushion for long sessions.
What is a rattan chair?
A chair whose frame and weave are made from rattan, the stem of a climbing palm. Rattan bends well when heated, which is why rattan chairs so often have curved backs and rolled arms.
What is the difference between wicker and rattan chairs?
Rattan is the material and wicker is the weaving technique. A rattan chair woven by hand is usually both.
Can rattan chairs be left outside?
Keep natural rattan chairs under cover, on a covered veranda or stoep or indoors. Rain and all-day sun are hard on natural fibre, so a sheltered spot is the safer home.
