Mid Century Modern Wicker.

Brace yourselves because this decorating guide may seem like a bit of a stretch but bear with me here and pay no attention to the little voice in your head screaming "NO!" until you hear me out. I can almost guarantee that I'm about to blow your mind. Wicker. That's right, I said it. Wicker. Banish the thought of that hideous 80's Florida retirement home loungey wicker with Laura Ashley style floral cushions...no, we're talking über chic, über cool and über casual  Mid Century Modern wicker and rattan. That, my friends, is a horse of a different color.

Quick lesson so we can get our terminology correct: wicker is the weave and rattan is the material that is used. Some of the wicker furniture that you see is rattan while other pieces are actually made from bamboo, straw or even synthetic materials. For our purposes, (of staying as far away as possible from porch sets with poufy cushions and lace doilies) let's look at wicker furniture made from natural materials.

The secret to embracing rattan and wicker without scaring off your friends is to do it with style and moderation. True for almost any statement furniture or accessory, a small statement will make the most sophisticated impact. Mix a wicker pouf in with a sleek Mid Century Modern couch or hang a  vintage lampshade over your dining room table. If you're like me and have stacks and stacks of magazines, a  vintage wicker magazine rack is a great catch-all.

These  Mies Van Der Rohe wicker and chrome chairs are insanely cool but perfectly simple. Or how about these  rattan loungers? They'd be right at home in a casual bohemian style living room with piles of textured floor pillows tossed about and a big shaggy rug. I'm sure  Fleetwood Mac is playing in the background and there's a pot of fresh  Chemex in the kitchen. Invite me over if this sounds like your living room.

For a decidedly more dramatic look,  Franco Albini is your designer of choice when it comes to wicker. His bamboo  poufs are highly sought after and rare (which in turn makes them even more desirable and very $$!). They're the opposite of a soft pile of floor pillows or cushy poufs but they are so chic and definitely add a little je ne sais quoi to a room. They're airy but sturdy enough to make a statement. His  chairs and  accent tables are pretty amazing, too.

Hopefully this little guide has helped to clear the dark cloud that besmirched the reputations of wicker and rattan. Even though today we tend to think of wicker and rattan for mainly outdoor furniture, natural rattan will fade in direct sunlight. So unless you're rocking the modern day synthetic version, bring that baby indoors and mix it in with your other furniture. Let wicker reclaim it's good name and live once again in the land of the brave and stylish!