My sister and I had a pair of twin wicker headboards when we were kids. I remember going to the mall, peeking into World Bazaar, wishing I could have one of those cool hanging rattan chairs. But the heavy smell of incense made my eyes burn, so I had to keep on walking – and dreaming of a bedroom that looked like it belonged to Laurie Partridge.
Wicker eventually went the way of the 1970s mushroom kitchen cannisters, tucked away in attics and donated to the local thrift store. But rattan and wicker are BACK, in a big way. A pair of painted peacock chairs will make you feel like the queen of your castle in an eclectic dining room.
And wicker and rattan headboards are all the rage painted in dramatic pops of color or glossy black, like this pair:
J.Savage Gibson in Coastal Living
Colorful side and coffee tables like these are popping up everywhere. Don’t they just make you smile?
The Company Store via Pinterest
While this retro look is right on trend, make sure to mix it up. Use natural pieces mixed with painted ones, and don’t overload one room with too much of these materials.
dotandbo.com
And be on the lookout for vintage wicker and rattan at garage and estate sales, where you can still find these pieces for very little money. You can always spray paint the old pieces to bring new life and integrate it into your own color scheme.
If 1970s flashbacks aren’t your thing, you may not be happy to hear that that macrame is rumored to be the next big trend . . .
Yes, I too had a rattan headboard and chair painted white like the one in the Laurie Partridge bedroom, along with a scalloped lime green valance above the window and a turquoise / lime green daisy bedspread. All the rage for the seventies. We were cool and hip. Long hair parted in the middle, bell bottoms and boots. No cell phones, no computers, no email, and 7 television channels to watch on t.v. Wow I am really old !
Fast forward 40 years ? Today I have my eye on a pair of traditional looking rattan chairs in a nice brown finish to go with a classic white and delft blue print. This news also means my glass and rattan traditional end tables are in vogue !
I love it!!! Yes, your tables are back in vogue!
Some of the hip girls I follow on IG are starting to snap up macrame while thrifting. It’s definitely BACK for a certain generation…but like they say with clothing…if you wore it the first time…
So true about “if you wore it the first time,” Kathy!
Oh no, flashback 1977, I spent a week or so in my family garage spray painting 6 wicker chairs from Pier 1, along with side table from then Pier 1. I probably incurred brain damage from the fumes. My mom will be happy to know it’s back “in” because some of it is still living on her sun porch and guest room 30+ years later. I do love the cane headboards though!
What color did you guys paint the wicker, and is it still the same color?
White, and it is still white. Would begun to brighten it up!
I mean be fun. Bad typing…
Thank goodness!! I still have the wicker stiff in my sunroom (sans the hanging swing of the 80’s). Glad I am in vogue again!!
Thank you for posting! I just had a client yesterday whom had a whole reed rattan dining/glass table and 2 buffets. They did look dated, but I advised her to paint them out and I’m sure they will be stunning!
Oh…too bad I didn’t hang on to the macrame table I made in the 70s and my parents rattan furniture. We hung onto that furniture and kept it in storage until about 10 years ago. 🙁 Always loved that look, too.
The year 1973. Can home from school and my so sweet mom had re-decorated my bedroom! Wicker headboard, swag lamp and a wicker elephant night table. The new bedspread and drapes were bright orange, yellow and green “mod” flowers. It was perfect! I’ll never forget it! 🙂
I also had an orange, yellow and green mod room in 1975, and NONE of my little friends had pink rooms. Excuse me, I have to go macrame something…
You are right Kristie, macrame was one of the declared trends earlier this year at the Interior Design Show 2014 Toronto. It is re-invented though, in a larger scale. We already saw lace and macrame clothing in the last two years, it is only natural interior design to follow the fashion trends.
Hi Livia, it always seems to take it a couple of years to trickle down to decor. I think we need to “get used to it” in fashion first before we take the plunge in our homes, don’t you think?
Yes Kristie, we definitely need that time. Also, Europe is ahead of us, in fashion and in interior design. When I travel to Europe and buy new clothes, it takes me over a year to be brave enough to wear them in Canada. In the first year my new clothes feel out of place. It is definitely a similar feeling in our homes.
So fun, the peacock chairs are the best! x maria
You have made something I thought outdated look gorgeous. I love your beautiful blog and I’ve subscribed. Still thinking about that post on potlucks. So awesome to meet you.
Thank you so much, Angela! Great talking with you last week 🙂
Well, if you need some macrame Kristie, I'm pretty sure my mom still has lots up in her attic!! lol
Debbie,
Did you make a macrame purse when you were young? I sure did!
xo