By Hajarah Ikpemosi Adokutu RATTAN IS MAKING SPACE FOR ITSELF IN OUR HOMES Source: rattanitems by abbie Rattan furniture designs were once treated as afterthought — a local design feature tucked into corners. But as more people push back against the cold, sterile feel of all-white modern spaces, many are finding refuge in a forgotten friend that never really left. Warm, textured, and endlessly versatile, rattan is filling homes with light, craft, and a sense of ease that minimalism can’t. I went thrifting the other day and found a rattan coaster. Truly, I never thought such an idea existed. And that got me thinking: what can’t we achieve with this versatile material? From fashion to interiors, rattan is everywhere. Nigerian brands like Oleku and Eki kere are weaving it into their accessories and dresses — flowing straws and lush straw embroidery that feels both ancestral and modern. In our homes, it shows up as Pergola’s chairs, coffee tables, figurines, even kitchen ...
