by Lulu Lytle

Rattan evokes the glamour and exoticism of the Riviera, grand yachts, and tropical verandas. It appeared in Impressionist paintings, and dazzling celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Gina Lollobrigida were photographed lounging on it. Now, rattan is regaining its allure and becoming increasingly fashionable in interior design and fashion spreads—a reflection of beauty, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

The glamour of rattan shines through in seductive and beautiful interiors—Madeleine Castaing's house in Chartres, Michael Taylor's California beach houses, the Titanic's Café Parisien. The book also showcases tastemakers who have embraced rattan, from Marella Agnelli and Cecil Beaton to design leaders of today, including Jeffrey Bilhuber, Veere Grenney, Axel Vervoordt, and Bunny Williams.