Raffia, Rattan & the Quiet Intelligence of Woven Things

There are materials that announce themselves loudly — and others that work quietly, patiently, over time. Raffia, rattan, wicker, bamboo belong to the latter. They do not compete for attention; they hold it. Through knot, bend, weave and tension, they translate handcraft into atmosphere.

What unites these materials is not nostalgia, but intelligence. They are light yet durable, flexible yet structured, humble yet endlessly adaptable. A raffia dress moves differently than silk. A rattan chair ages differently than steel. Wicker carries memory — of hands, of rhythm, of time spent making rather than producing.

Across interiors, fashion, and objects, woven materials are everywhere again — not as trend, but as counterpoint. Against polished marble, high-gloss lacquer, and digital overload, they reintroduce tactility and human scale.

Knot, Weave, Repeat

At the heart of it all lies technique. Knot weaving, coiling, binding — practices refined over centuries and across cultures. Contemporary makers like Junpei Kawaguchi explore these traditions with almost meditative precision, reminding us that structure can emerge from repetition, and strength from softness.

Take a quick dive into the formidable story of how Junpei Kawaguchi is preserving the hanamusubi-ami, or “flower knot weave.

Raffia appears as dresses, lampshades, frames, ice buckets, boxes, children’s toys and a myriad of other amazing products, characterised by its material. For some of the most stunning items for the home, look no further than here and here. Explore to dress and accessorise on point with beautiful pieces by Johanna Ortiz or Ulla Johnson.

Rattan and bamboo shape chairs, tables, screens, baskets — from sunlit terraces to restrained city interiors. What matters is not the category, but the gesture: the visible trace of making.

Why We Keep Returning to Woven Materials

Because they age well.
Because they invite touch.
Because they connect utility with care.

And because, in an era of acceleration, they insist on time.

Book Notes for the Woven-Inclined

For those who like their inspiration bound and weighty, two titles stand out — both celebrations of rattan as culture, craft, and design language:

Rattan: A World of Elegance and Charm by Lulu Lytle by Rizzoli
This book is a visual journey through interiors and objects that frame rattan not as rustic, but as refined — layered, elegant, and lived-in.

Bonacina: The Beauty of Rattan by Rizzoli
Bonacina is a focused exploration of one of the most influential rattan manufacturers, tracing craftsmanship, form, and continuity across generations.

Both books remind us that woven materials are not accessories. They are infrastructure for living.
Everyday, Yet Enduring

At Seven Mills, we consider these materials everyday treasures not because they are simple — but because they are considered. They sit comfortably between fashion and furniture, between utility and emotion. They soften rooms, slow gestures, and bring the hand back into focus.

In the end, raffia, rattan, wicker, bamboo don’t ‘just furnish’ spaces.
They shape how those spaces feel. Quietly. Persistently. Beautifully.