256 SELECTION OF FURNITURE

Willow, Rattan, Reed, and Fiber. Technically only willow
furniture should be called wicker, but often the term is meant to
include rattan, reed, and fiber furniture also. Willow is the only
native wood that can be woven. Rattan is an Asiatic vine. It
does not take color, so it is sometimes scorched by a blow torch
for decoration, although this type of embellishment is usually poor.
Reed is the heart of the rattan left when the hard outer covering
is taken off. It is woven into durable, good-looking furniture.
Whole or split bamboo is made into screens and furniture. Fiber
is a wood pulp or paper product consisting of strands wound
around wire, which is then woven into chairs and sofas. All these
materials are used in the construction of furniture for informal
rooms and porches. Good plain designs are procurable but much
of this furniture is too cirvilinear and confused in design. See
pages 25, 173, 226, 240, and 262.

Metals. Metal furniture is satisfactory in many respects. It is
highly utilitarian, for it is fireproof, durable, and light in weight;
dry artificial heat does not affect it; humidity does not cause draw-
ers to stick and to acquire a musty odor. Various metals and their
combinations (alloys) are suitable for furniture. Chromium plat-
ing, baked enamel, painted steel, and painted iron are procurable.

The designer of metal furniture can produce beauty if he re-
spects his medium and does not imitate wood in design or finish.
The strength of metal permits special constructions such as a chair
with flat or tubular front supports for a cantilevered seat without
back legs. At present the chief use of metal furniture is for offices,
waiting rooms, and porches, and also for Modern homes. See
page 176.

Plastics. The most interesting innovation in furniture material
in centuries is plastics. Functionally, plastic furniture is almost
perfect, as it is practically unbreakable, dent-proof, and scratch-
proof. It is easily cleaned and light to handle. Plastics are also
ideal from the designer's point of view because they can be molded,
cast, or cut into any desired shape. There is no limitation in color,
either; however, the crystal-clear plastics have a special radiance
from the way that they reflect light. Beautiful furniture is already
being made from plastics. Some designers say that period styles
should not be portrayed in such Modern materials as plastics. See
the pictures on.page 261.