Story
One problem furniture makers worldwide have struggled with for many years is how to make rattan furniture weather-resistant so it can be left outside for a longer period of time. To get around the problem, one of our development teams turned to traditional Indonesian handicraft methods when they created TVÄRÖ – rattan furniture for your outdoor space.
Linn Grahl, one of our product engineers, can finally take a breather.
“We did over 100 different tests before we found the right rattan and the right method to protect it. It has taken a long time to develop TVÄRÖ, but it has been worth it,” she says.
A traditional method helped out
Much of the work has been about finding good protection against humidity and temperature changes – wear and tear when the furniture is left outside in different types of weather. A traditional Indonesian crafts method inspired Linn and her colleagues.
“You simply put the rattan used to bind the furniture into a pool with muddy river water. Then you add leaves to the water and weigh everything down with rocks. After about six weeks, you pick up the rattan and release the water back into the river. The mud creates a protective layer that makes the rattan weather-resistant,” explains Linn.
Keep more of the material
By also keeping the outer layer on the thicker rattan poles, TVÄRÖ gets additional protection.
“It works like a natural shield, and you can keep the beautiful original colour of the material,” says Linn.
As a last step, the artisans apply a layer of water-based lacquer.
“All these methods together contribute to TVÄRÖ lasting longer. And open up for more days in the open air with rattan furniture.”
