Caning is an ancient technique that involves weaving thin rattan strips in a multi-directional pattern. “Although it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact place and time of its origin, we know that the caning technique dates back to ancient China where it was utilized for basket making,” says interior designer Nina DeKay Grauer. “Caned chairs have even been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to more than 1000 B.C.” Fast-forward a few centuries and caned furniture resurfaced in Europe to widespread popularity. “In the 19th century, caned furniture became associated mainly with Dutch and English colonial furniture,” says Erica Wingo, vice president of merchandising and marketing for Baker Interiors Group. She notes that caning became the go-to seat material for cafe chairs in the mid-1800s after the introduction of Michael Thonet’s No. 14 chair, which revolutionized the furniture industry with its inexpensive yet elegant design. The iconic design features a curved beechwood frame and a round caned seat. You might have spotted modern-day versions of this silhouette at Crate and Barrel and Target. When paired with luxe materials and curvy shapes, this graphic weave takes on a modern feel, but its roots in the past remain evident. “Caned furniture oozes a history and prestige of leisure that is hard to ignore,” Grauer says. “The weave immediately takes you to a different place, somewhere tropical and exclusive.” For your own slice of paradise, incorporate this timeless trend into your home with some of our favorite cane furniture pieces. Buy It: Ria Room Divider Screen, $379, Urban Outfitters Buy It: Opalhouse Minsmere Caned Chest (in black) $150, Target
