By Esther Leggett

When I was a little girl, many years ago, my grandmother had a wonderful secluded garden behind her garage. I would help her carry out thick colorful cushions, and then we would just sit the afternoon away, relaxing in large, black wicker chairs. They were the only wicker chairs I ever saw as a youth.
Gone are those chairs and those lazy afternoons of just sitting. But wicker itself is making a huge comeback ... and today's wicker is much better.

At Country View Wicker Furniture in Farmerstown, you will find a huge selection of the latest and greatest wicker. Verna Yoder, and her sister, Esta, have been operating the furniture store for nine years now, and they know their wicker inside and out.

"Wicker has been around since Biblical times," Verna said, "and it's an extremely versatile material."

I told Verna I always get wicker, rattan and cane confused, and she said the term "wicker" covers all forms of rattan, including rattancore, reed and peelcane, as well as bamboo and willow. All forms have the wonderful capability of being woven into furniture and accessories.

To explain, first, there is "real" indoor wicker and also resin outdoor wicker (most resin is on an aluminum frame, a great improvement over some earlier forms). Also, wicker now comes in many colors, including the classic white, whitewash (sort of a tea-stained white), antique (a rich, deep brown), bone, sage green and dark green. One new popular color is Espresso, which is black with highlights of dark brown (this reminded me so much of my grandmother's chairs). The dark colors are probably the most sought-after right now, but the traditional white is always popular.

"We have the "classic rattan," Verna said, "and it can be very customized. Our customers can choose from a dozen different wood colors, and then can order any Sherwin-Williams paint color for the rattan."
Now that's what I call customizing!

A "basic group" of wicker furniture includes a love seat, two chairs and a coffee table, but these pieces can also be purchased separately. Also available are rockers (both traditional and glider rockers), sofas, dining sets, end tables, bedroom furniture (including daybeds), porch swings, chaise lounges, book shelves, console tables, computer and regular desks, wall cupboards, porch swings, bars and bar stools. Some dining tables have convenient glass tops.

"We carry the NCI brand -- that's North Cape International " which is very well-known," Verna said. "Our "deep-seating' selections have thicker cushions on the seat and the back, making them extremely comfortable. Men, who often think wicker is more of a ladies' variety, love the "deep seating' selections."

Country View Wicker has a very nice selection of children's furniture, including a darling bassinet and changing table, plus little rockers and even some doll-size furniture.

Accessory pieces of wicker include lamps, planters, mirrors, shelf/coat racks, hampers, trunks, magazine racks and stands, hall trees and foot stools, among others.

To make your wicker selections more complete (not to mention more comfortable), Country View has an extensive selection of cushions available. There are many cushion patterns from which to choose, or, if you don't see just what you're looking for, custom orders are also available. It is amazing how different cushion colors and patterns can change the look of a piece of wicker. You can mix stripes and florals of the same color family to create a very nice customized look.

If you're worried about how to care for wicker furniture, you needn't be. Verna says good, quality wicker furniture such as she sells will last for years. Indoor wicker simply needs routine cleaning (regular dusting and an occasional wiping with a damp cloth). Outdoor wicker lasts longer, the more protected it is from the elements. The resin wicker (with UV protection) can withstand a lot of weather, however, and is cleaned by spraying it with a garden hose. Of course, cushions should be brought in out of the sun and rain when not in use.

As larger outdoor porches and four-season rooms become more and more popular (and actually become a part of a home's living space), functional wicker furniture is definitely worth consideration. Remember, you can always get a few pieces now and then add to it as time goes along. It does get addictive, Vern says!

Also available at Country View are covers to protect your furniture in winter, cleaners and fabric protector for cushions.
Don't let this summer get by without a visit to Country View Wicker Furniture. There's still plenty of time left to enjoy some beautiful wicker furniture at your home, inside or out.

Country View Wicker Furniture -- mailing address: 2701 SR 557, Baltic, OH 43804; located on the east edge of Farmerstown in Holmes County; (330) 897-6007; hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Visa & MasterCard accepted.