by Pat Jacobs

Created on: February 25, 2010

Wicker’s great for bringing back-porch charm to your living room and using ready-made linens (such as quilts, sheets, tablecloths, etc.) for furniture covers and window dressing is a no-sew, inexpensive way to give your room (or rooms) a fresh new look for spring.And you may already have all needed materials in your home!

For painting wicker effectively, first make sure the surface of the piece is smooth and free of dust (in order for paint to adhere evenly).

For an old piece, sand the surface and wipe away any dust with a tack cloth.

Then, wash the piece with mild soap and let it dry completely. Apply a latex primer on bare spots.

For a new piece, sand the surface, wiping away dust with a tack cloth. Then apply a latex primer.

Using a latex spray paint, apply the color, working in the direction of the weave.

For a ‘washed’ effect, dip a natural sponge in paint and quickly wipe the color on. If you’re using a paint brush, be sure not to “overwork” the paint (this can cause imperfections in the finish).

Let dry completely for about 48 hours.

For low-cost custom looks with linens, a twin-size flat sheet makes a perfect curtain panel; just hem at the top and slide onto the pole.

A queen-size flat sheet is good for draping over a dining table.

A full-size quilt can be used as a shower curtain. Hang with curtain clips or sewn-on loops of ribbon

(Quilts can also double as slipcovers!).

Used length-wise and hemmed, dish towels can be café curtains; turned the other way, a matching valance.

For further decorating with linens (no sewing required!), drape a queen-size quilt over your couch or sofa, then simply fold in the edges and tuck into place.

To make a window valance, fold and drape one of the following items over a curtain rod: an afghan, tablecloth, quilt, sheet or even an overlapping row of curtains.

Fold a tablecloth in half lengthwise and drape over a curtain rod to create curtains.

To recover a seat cushion, just remove the cushion from a dining-room chair, cover with an oversized napkin and staple to secure.

To check for quality wicker, inspect joints (they should be wrapped with a band of wicker for extra durability), test for sturdiness (try to rock the piece back and forth; quality wicker should remain steady and not wobble), and examine the weave (the direction of the weave should be consistent throughout the piece except for obvious design patterns).

Also check for: Rough edges (run your hand across the surface. A quality piece will be relatively smooth.), the finish (the overall finish should be smooth and consistent without streaks and bubbles.), and construction (the pieces should be attached with screws, not nails. Nails may be weaken with time, but screws will ensure a sturdy piece).

Additional Info

Although wicker is commonly referred to as a material, it’s actually a process of weaving small pieces from the core of the rattan plant.

Rattan is a vine that grows in the Southeast Pacific (there’s more than 300 known varieties!); it debuted in the West when England colonized Malaya and other parts of Southeast Asia.

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