Furniture of Rattan Review in the Shopping Guide
One hundred percent Mexican export quality, hand-woven tradition passed down from parents to children; a skill into which the craftsman puts his heart and soul
The story of Rattan de Guadalajara begins with Don Alexander Cornejo’s mother, of German heritage, who knew how to weave rattan. She passed along her skills to her children. In 1930, Don Alexander and his wife, Carmen Martinez, began manufacturing rattan furniture in Mexico City. Because they put their heart and soul, and their experience, into their work, each piece of furniture was a work of art.
Today, their factory in Guadalajara employs more than 85 workers, weaving rattan and wicker made from natural fibers using the age-old techniques handed-down through the years. The factory imports fibers from Asia. Before weaving, the fibers must be steamed, making them moist and supple, enabling them to be woven by hand. The process also requires a wood frame onto which the fiber is wound and stretched. Later it is woven together and varnished to give it a protective finish. The last step is the upholstery. It is then packed and shipped to the final destination.
Although many people believe popular modern “classic designs” often called "retro" refer to the 40s and 50s, these designs are actually of European origin during the Victorian era, (1800 and 1850), when England, France and Holland all maintained colonies in Southeast Asia. When the people tried to decorate their colonial houses with the fine wooden European furniture typical of the period, they could not find the materials or craftsmen to make them.
For this reason, local wicker and rattan furniture designs, made of the very durable raw materials, (fibers from banana tree, water hyacinths, and crocus roots), became very popular.
All fibers are of the highest quality and are labeled “Manau Rattan”, indicating the fibers, found only in Indonesia, are denser and more compressed than second class fibers, and therefore heavier. While these fibers exist in Mexico, they are not of the same quality because the climate here is not as warm and humid as Southeast Asian countries.
Rattan de Guadalajara also works with hand-hammered forged iron, ionized aluminum, (an attractive finish which prevents deterioration from humidity or oxidization), wood, marble, tables and resins, handling the design of each piece of customized furniture, taking the greatest of care for the client’s needs, sometimes combining iron, rattan wicker, and aluminum.
Despite the popularity of current minimalist tendencies, clients continue to request unique furniture models made with labor-intensive man-made materials and techniques. Remarkably, Rattan de Guadalajara makes furniture in large-volume assembly or individual custom orders based on client specifications. Puerto Vallarta designer, Carmen Herrera, creates unique designs according to dimensions, style ideas, and fabric selections provided by clients. The design is sent to Guadalajara and the furniture is made. Delivery time is generally 30 to 45 days.
Speaking of the fabrics, Rattan de Guadalajara also handles brands like Sunbrella and Covington, recognized world-wide for their sun and humidity resistant acrylic fabrics that do not bleach like most cotton fabrics. For interior furnishings, Rattan de Guadalajara uses durable polyester and textiles handmade by local people from Uruapan, Michoacán.
With branches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos, Rattan de Guadalajara has many major clients; hotel chains with locations throughout Mexico like: the Fairmont, Princess, Mayan Palace, Gran Velas, Melia, Paradise Village, and the Four Seasons. They have also provided Furnishings to national leaders including José López Portillo and the Shah of Iran during his exile in Mexico.
