A three-piece set of rattan trays: large, medium, and small – a poetic interweaving of nature and life

1. Material Origin: The Natural Secrets of Rattan
🌿 Rattan Selection: We delve into the native habitats of rattan plants and select high-quality natural rattan species from tropical monsoon climates. These rattans grow in an environment with an average annual temperature of 25-30°C and a humidity of 70%-80%. After at least 3-5 years of exposure to sunlight and rain, their fibers reach optimal strength. Each rattan undergoes a second manual screening process to remove any infested, broken, or unevenly colored sections. Only high-quality rattan with a diameter of approximately 3-5mm and a straight grain is retained, ensuring the pallets retain their natural vitality and durability from the source.

🌱 Environmentally Friendly Processing: To ensure rattan seamlessly integrates with modern living, we utilize a purely physical processing method. First, the rattan is fumigated with high-temperature steam at 60-80°C to soften the rattan and kill insect eggs, preventing insect damage during later use. The material is then naturally air-dried to maintain a moisture content of 12%-15%, ensuring a stable texture and resisting deformation and cracking. Chemicals are not added throughout the entire process, preserving the rattan's natural light brown color and subtle fragrance, bringing the unadulterated scent of the forest into your home.

II. Craftsmanship: The Warmth of Handweaving
🧶 Pre-weaving: The artisans carefully split the selected rattan, separating the thick rattan into 0.5-1mm thick strips, much like separating natural silk threads. These strips are then polished again to ensure a mirror-like smoothness and a burr-free touch, laying the foundation for subsequent weaving.

🪡 Weaving Technique: Traditional folk weaving techniques are handcrafted by experienced artisans with over 10 years of experience. Based on the "tic-tac-toe" weaving method, incorporating the modern aesthetic's emphasis on regularity, each stitch and thread adheres to strict spacing standards—the horizontal spacing between the rattan strips is controlled at 3-4mm, and the vertical spacing is equally precise, resulting in a uniform and rhythmic herringbone pattern. Weaving a small 25cm tray requires approximately 1200 lifting and pressing strokes; a medium 30cm tray requires approximately 1800; and a large 35cm tray requires approximately 2500. Each flexion and extension of the hand imbues the texture of the tray with ingenuity, creating a handmade warmth that cannot be replicated by machines.

III. Size Philosophy: The Art of Adapting to Space
(I) Small (25cm Diameter)—An Adornment for Refined Living
🥧 Tea Ceremony Fairy: At a Chinese tea ceremony, it is an indispensable snack carrier. The 25cm diameter is perfect for 3-4 exquisite snacks, such as Japanese wagashi and Chinese shortbread. Paired with a purple clay teapot and teacup, it creates a tea-drinking atmosphere where "small snacks, long-lasting meaning." The breathable rattan weave also protects the snacks from moisture, maintaining their crisp texture.

🎀 Desk Storage: Placed on a desk, it can store paper clips, sticky notes, and small plants (such as succulents and air plants), organizing scattered items and eliminating clutter. The light brown rattan color blends perfectly with wooden or white desks, becoming a natural aesthetic element. Placed on a dressing table, it can store small accessories like earrings and hair ties, making it feel like flipping through a natural jewelry guide when choosing accessories in the morning. (II) Medium (30cm diameter) – A star player in everyday settings
🍇 Living Room Centerpiece: As a living room fruit plate, the 30cm diameter can hold 2-3 seasonal fruits (such as a bunch of grapes or 3-4 apples). The breathable rattan structure helps the fruits breathe, slowing oxidation and keeping them fresh longer. When friends and family visit, serve this fruit plate, and the blend of natural rattan and fruity aromas conveys not only delicious flavor but also a natural lifestyle.

🍳 Kitchen Helper: In the kitchen, it's a great helper for sorting and organizing. Use it to display freshly picked vegetables (such as cherry tomatoes and young beans) while preparing meals. After baking, it can be used to store small snacks like cookies and madeleines. The natural material is safer for contact with food, replacing plastic storage boxes and adding a rustic touch to your kitchen. (3) Large (35cm Diameter) – A versatile lifestyle companion
🍵 Tea Room: In a Chinese tea room, the 35cm diameter is large enough to accommodate a complete Kung Fu tea set—teapot, gongdao cup, tea tasting cups, and even accessories like a tea tray and tea tongs—creating a convenient, mobile tea space where "one tray, one tea table" becomes a complete tea setting. The handles are ergonomically designed, with the craftsman specifically adjusting the angle between the handles and the tray to 15°. This ensures a natural, comfortable grip, allowing for graceful movement even when fully loaded with teaware, adding a touch of elegance to any tea ceremony.

🛋️ Storage King: Next to the sofa in the living room, it can store pillows and blankets, tidying up scattered soft furnishings and instantly tidying up the living room. In the balcony garden, it can be used to store gardening tools (such as small shovels and watering cans) and seed bags, creating a natural storage station for garden miscellanea. During an outdoor picnic, it can be used as a food tray to store sandwiches, fruit, and drinks, seamlessly blending in with the natural surroundings and creating a stunning backdrop for picnic photos.

IV. Scene Integration: A Symbiosis of Aesthetics and Practicality
(I) Home Style Compatibility
New Chinese Style: Paired with mahogany furniture and blue and white porcelain ornaments, the natural texture of the rattan tray contrasts with the calm and heavy Chinese furniture. The reddish-brown rattan color echoes the warm tones of the Chinese space, and the herringbone pattern complements traditional Chinese decorative patterns, adding a lively and natural touch to the space. Japanese Wabi-Sabi Style: In a Wabi-Sabi space of plain walls and linen fabrics, the imperfect traces of handcraft on a rattan tray (such as subtle differences in the splicing of the rattan strips) perfectly embody the "beauty of imperfection" pursued by Wabi-Sabi. Over time, the subtle patina that develops on the rattan surface imbues the space with a sense of warmth and timeless elegance.

Nordic Minimalist Style: Paired with a light-colored sofa and geometric lamps, the natural texture of rattan breaks the "coldness" of Nordic style, injecting a natural warmth into the minimalist space and acting as a "soft neutralizer," creating a home that feels both modern and full of life.

(II) Creating a Special Scene

Festival Atmosphere: During the Spring Festival, place candy, nuts, and New Year decorations (such as small red lanterns) on a large tray to create a "small New Year scene" in the living room. On Mid-Autumn Festival Eve, place mooncakes and osmanthus wine on a medium tray on the stone table in the courtyard. The rattan blends with the moonlight, creating a "natural and elegant" Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere. Parent-Child Interaction: On weekends, use the small tray to display children's craft materials (colored paper, clay), the medium tray to store their drawings, and the large tray as a "display stand" for baking. Let the rattan trays witness heartwarming family moments and promote the concept of nature-based education.

V. Maintenance Tips: Let Nature Companion You Longer
(I) Daily Cleaning
Dust Removal: Gently wipe the tray surface daily with a soft feather duster or dry cotton cloth, following the rattan grain. This will effectively remove loose dust and maintain a clear texture.
Stain Treatment: If water or fruit stains occur, immediately wipe the tray with a semi-dry soft cotton cloth dipped in a small amount of light salt water (1:20 salt to water ratio). Then, blot dry with a dry cloth and place in a cool, well-ventilated area to air dry. The light salt water not only removes stains but also acts as an insect repellent, preserving the rattan's natural protective properties. (2) Regular Maintenance
Perform a deep maintenance every quarter: Mix natural olive oil and purified water in a ratio of 1:3. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and spray evenly from a distance of 20-30cm from the tray. Then gently wipe with a dry cotton cloth to allow the rattan to fully absorb the oil, maintaining its flexibility and gloss. This treatment will give the rattan a warm texture, as if gently caressed by time.
(3) Storage Tips
When not in use, nest the three trays in the small, medium, and large sizes to minimize space usage. Choose a dry, well-ventilated cabinet for storage, avoiding storage with sharp objects and chemical cleaners. Place mothballs (wrapped in gauze) in the cabinet to prevent insect infestation and keep the rattan trays in top condition even when they're "dormant."

This set of three rattan trays, in large, medium, and small sizes, is meticulously crafted, from the carefully selected rattan materials to the warmth imparted by the handwoven weaves, and the precise fit of the size to suit every occasion. Every detail truly captures this essence—not just as a practical household utensil, but also as a vehicle for natural aesthetics and a philosophy of life. Incorporating these into your life begins a beautiful journey of symbiosis with nature and a dialogue with craftsmanship, making every use a precious moment of embracing nature and experiencing life.