I have had a love of seagrass furniture for a very long time. I am not really so sure why it in particular tugs at my heart strings, but think it somehow stands as a testament to the fact of how well-made furniture was at the turn of the last century and before.
Originally intended for inside use - but as the furniture was so light - and our Queensland climate so balmy - this furniture migrated outside to the deep verandahs. Given our at times harsh weather, beating sun and driving tropical rain, and it only ever being inside furniture, it is truly amazing to have survived the last 80 to 120 years!
In the days before credit cards and with little store credit of any kind, there were few choices to furnish your house other than wedding gifts, savings plans or finding something very affordable! And that is precisely what the seagrass suites were - the furniture for now, until you could save up and buy your more formal lounge furniture. Hence, once the finances improved for a newly-wed couple, this lightweight furniture migrated to the verandah and became a fixture there!
I love how the advert from
The Brisbane Courier in 1919 above, speaks of furniture as 'hygenic' - what is the alternative? Would prefer not to know! And another 1930 advert has
coloured cane furniture as a new innovation, "for sun porches is fast becoming popular, although it has only just been in for a little while."
And even decorating tips found (
here) in a household advice column in 1930, which tells us how by adding coloured seagrass furniture will add "a dash of colour in drawing (rooms) and lounge suites, tables, chairs, rockers, lounges, perambulators, and ... will give just that added distinctiveness."!
Distinctiveness aside, I love how it gives me that vintage vibe with a very relaxed feel. This is my own verandah and my own little collection of these, teemed with Moroccan lanterns, Armadillo&Co 'Dandelion' rug and feather-filled cushions this is a very comfy little corner during the day - as Lily would attest to. She wouldn't move for me to take the pics!
Cane and split cane furniture (the canes are split into half rounds) still survives and usually in much better condition than unpainted seagrass!
Here are a few shots of some of the seagrass and cane chairs that I have in stock at the moment:
And of course, take that 1930s advice - cane and seagrass can be painted white, black or any number of current 'on trend' colours!
Have a lovely weekend!
Jennifer.
x
