Once given access to a set of wicker storage baskets, a smart homemaker can easily organize a family residence. Moreover, she should manage to do so both efficiently and effectively. In fact, that homemaker will quickly discover why a number of retailers refer to such a basket as a “wicker organizer.”
A thinking mother should collect baskets of varying shapes and sizes. She might want to have a couple wicker items that are large enough to hold several pairs of boots. That way, she can place those baskets in the hallway and insist on placement of wet and dirty boots in the available containers.
That not only eliminates a lot of the clutter that might otherwise accumulate in the hallway, it also helps to keep the floor clean in that much used area. Smaller wicker baskets could be used to store items that family members should don before venturing out into any cold temperatures. Those smaller baskets might hold mittens or scarves. Family members should be expected to return each of those items to its respective storage basket.
Mothers with small children can use a wicker container in place of a toy chest. Children are not apt to pinch their fingers in the lid of such a container, as they might do when closing the lid of a chest. Hostesses can store items in a lavatory basket so that they are readily available to any house guest.
Baskets normally take on a very neutral color so that they blend in well with any type of decor. Baskets can be used to hold all manner of odd shaped items, such as long umbrellas or rolled up architectural drawings. The presence of versatile wicker storage baskets can help any homemaker to become much more organized, and ready to enjoy the fun aspects of home and family life.
Posted in Wicker Furniture Accessories by .
Jun 10
18
What is Bar Harbor Wicker
photo by deardaisycottage
Bar Harbor Wicker is a style of wicker furniture that was made popular in the early 20th century. This style of wicker features an open lattice of weaving on the back and often on the sides of the furniture piece creating an open diamond pattern. The traditional Bar Harbor style is synonymous with class and elegance because the design was made famous by its use in luxury hotels at the turn of the century, the gilded age.
Though the design is associated with an expensive luxury lifestyle, it was originally manufactured with the intent of cutting costs. In an attempt to cut expenses due to rising labor costs and high import taxes on the raw materials from Asia, manufacturers found a way to create a line of furniture that used less rattan and took craftsmen fewer hours to construct. The Bar Harbor wicker chairs and chaise lounges were designed for use by the resort hotels of the northeastern US.
Bar Harbor, Maine came to its own as a luxury resort community in the late 1880s. Its popularity among the elite would rival that of Newport, Rhode Island. Named after the elite resort, the Bar Harbor wicker pattern evokes images of the gilded age of US history. Antique Bar Harbor wicker is highly sought after by collectors. Wicker manufacturers to this day still create pieces in this open, airy design today.
Reproduction Bar Harbor wicker chairs, sofas, tables, and consoles can be found in natural materials and now in the durable all weather resin wicker. Traditional styles of wicker blend well with any design aesthetic. The open pattern of the Bar Harbor style prevents the furniture piece from overpowering a space. Typically, Bar Harbor wicker is used in outdoor patio settings, the designs are well suited to quaint and cozy indoor spaces.
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Outdoor wicker furniture is quickly becoming the hottest trend in outdoor furniture. The resin weaving is both durable and beautiful. Who wouldn’t want that? One of the benefits of investing in wicker for your outdoor spaces is that it requires little maintenance. There are only a few steps involved in routinely cleaning and maintaining your risen wicker furniture.
1. General cleaning once a month
Outdoor wicker furniture should be sprayed down with the hose once a month or so. If your wicker is poolside and exposed to a good deal of chlorine and tanning oils, you should do this once a week to prevent buildup of hard to clean residues. Using a hose attachment with a spray jet will help get into the nooks and crannies of the wicker more easily.
2. Deep cleaning once a year
Even the most diligent care of your outdoor wicker will leave some dirt and grime. At the end of the season, before you store your wicker give it a good cleaning with a gentle soap and a soft bristle brush. There are some soaps on the market specifically designed for use on resin wicker such as Country Causal All Weather Wicker Cleaner. Any gentle oil based soap will do the trick.
You can use more aggressive household cleaners such as 409. They will work just fine. Do be certain to hose off the cleaner from your furniture before it dries. Harsh chemical cleaners can weaken the resin or cause spot fading of the material.
3. Tend to Tough Stains and Sap Quickly
Spills will happen. Any strongly colored beverage or a popsicle left to sit on your wicker might leave a mark. If your usual array of household cleaners isn’t working, you can sand the resin lightly and re-finish with paste wax to restore the shine. Tree sap is nasty stuff too. Lubricants sucha as WD 40 can lift off tree sap from your outdoor wicker furniture.
4. Don’t Overlook the Cushions
Your outdoor cushions are likely to wear out long before your wicker. Check for signs of mildew or mold. Verify that the weather resistance is still working for your cushions. You can re-treat outdoor furniture cushions to restore their water resistance. The process is a bit time consuming, but well worth it.
Properly caring for your wicker furniture will ensure that you will have years of enjoyment from it. Sit back and relax while you enjoy your beautiful outdoor wicker furniture year after year.
Posted in Maintaining Wicker Wicker Furniture Wicker Patio Furniture by .
Who doesn’t love rocking away in a soothing rocking chair. Depending on the construction and design of your rocker, you may be looking for a good cushion to increase the comfort that much more. Rocking chairs have a long history reaching the height of popularity in the 19th century. Today, wicker rocking chairs are used on porches, living rooms, and, of course, in the nursery. Adding a good quality seat cushion will allow you to increase the comfort, prolong the life of your wicker rocker, and also change the overall look of your chair.
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Wicker has been popular since the 1800s. Actually, the first wicker that we know of dates back to the time of the pharaohs in Egypt. There must be something to that. Well crafted wicker furniture can last for generations. In fact, wicker items are quite popular among antique collectors. When you decide to purchase new furniture for your garden or patio, you really need to invest in pieces that can withstand the weather and a lot of use. Wicker is deceptively strong as well as beautiful. Here are some of the reasons people for years have been selecting wicker for their outdoor furniture.
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