As an avid follower of David Francis, you have probably noticed that in recent years we have diversified our line by introducing a lot of wood designs to complement our rattan pieces.  Our wood furniture has run the gauntlet from very traditional to transitional to contemporary.  However, with the current cost of fine hardwoods skyrocketing, it has become necessary to seek out alternative materials for designs. Ironically this has brought our attention back to rattan.

Since the early 1950’s when rattan was brought indoors and made fashionable, the basic forms, materials and patterns have remained the same or similar.  Most people would classify rattan furniture as being casual in nature. It has been designed this way on purpose - it fulfills a specific lifestyle. However, we are set to do something new – we are taking rattan designs from casual to luxurious.  

Besides being “eco-friendly,” rattan is extremely strong and durable.  It also holds finishes better than wood. Because it is so pliable, it has a lot of the properties you look for in construction. However, at this time, the most important thing rattan has going for it is its cost. Certain wood designs have become so expensive to produce that it has reduced the number of prospective buyers to a point they are no longer economically feasible. Therefore, we must make necessary adjustments in our product offering.

David Francis Furniture has already begun the transition from casual rattan to sophisticated and luxurious rattan designs. You will see the first of these in the 2009 catalog due out in early January. There will be more to come in 2010 and 2011. We are committed to offering you only the highest quality products for the luxury market regardless of the materials use. I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to “re-invent” rattan and to bring our new luxury rattan designs to market.  I hope you will be too.