French bistro chair

Belonging to the unique French coffee house culture are the characteristic, colourfully braided rattan chairs seen in front of bistros and cafés; they give city streets in France their unique flair. And now, we can offer you these attractively formed, functional pieces of furniture; in the past, they had been made available only to private customers. They have been designed for the rigorous demands of outside catering, where they are moved back and forth many times throughout a day; and, where they are exposed to wind and adverse weather conditions, different weights and, at times, unfriendly handling. We have decided for two traditional models – in form, color, and braid pattern: The chair "Haussmann" is named after a famous Parisian prefect and urban developer of the 19th century, who helped create the city’s wide boulevards – and, therefore, also the space for the many bistros and their typical seating. It is one of the oldest models from the manufacturer. With the chair, "Café de la Paix," we have used, as our model, furniture from the historic café at the Place de l’Opéra in Paris; it also displays traditional shape with classic braiding pattern and colour combination.

Our chairs are manufactured at one of the three remaining producers in France. They certainly do have a high price, but this is derived from the quality of the material and the technical effort involved in production. Chairs like these are – whether for cafés or private use – a lasting investment: not a short-term acquisition. With a solid construction, these French chairs differentiate themselves fundamentally from cheaper models, which come, for example, from Italy and appear, at first glance, comparable.

The seat frame is produced from massive beechwood; the body is made of Rattan, a tough liana species from Malaysia. The individual parts are steam bent and furnished, after assembly, with a colourless, weather-resistant varnish; the base is additionally stabilized with a Rattan cord, an elaborate requirement necessary for durability. The chair receives its typical character as the seat and backrest are unplaited with rilsan, a material derived from the oil of a castor plant developed specifically for this kind of furniture – flexible, weather-resistant, and light-resistant and therefore, long-lasting. Also, rilsan comes in a wide colour pallet; cafés can create their own unique look with individual patterns; or, you can give your terrace, garden or balcony its own special touch.

Rattan is a natural material that changes slightly over time and under natural conditions (e.g. rain, wind and sun). To ensure its durability, it should be cared for in accordance with the following instructions for use:

- Never bring your rattan furniture near an open flame - In case of rain or snow, the furniture should be kept protected and in a dry place and dried promptly in case of moisture - Do not drag your furniture across the floor. If you want to move it from one place to another, it is better to carry it carefully - Place your rattan furniture on a dry, flat and hard surface (not on sand, grass, snow or paving stones) - Wash the seats and backrests only with mild soapy water and a soft cloth - Check whether furniture glides are fitted. If not, do this at a later date

Tip: We recommend repainting the rattan parts approx. every two years to maintain their vitality and well-groomed appearance. To do this, wash your rattan furniture with soapy water to remove the old varnish. Do not sand! You can then apply, for example, a special acrylic basket varnish or a boat varnish (in up to two coats).