Gorgeous Hand-Woven Wicker Furniture Showcases Traditional Chilean Craft

Meet<a title="Chilean History Is Hand-Waved In Gorgeous Biodegradable Wicker Lights And Furniture " href="http://www.madeinmimbre.com/emadeinMIMBRE.html" target="_blank"> Made in MIMBRE</a>, an elegant lighting and furniture collection made from Chilean woven <a title="Chilean History Is Hand-Waved In Gorgeous Biodegradable Wicker Lights And Furniture " href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicker" target="_blank">wicker</a> and handcrafted by artisans using local<a title="Chilean History Is Hand-Waved In Gorgeous Biodegradable Wicker Lights And Furniture " href="http://inhabitat.com/awesome-bamboo-iphone-case-looks-like-a-retro-camera/" target="_blank"> fast-growing </a>resources. An initiative started by group of designers and architects, <a title="Chilean History Is Hand-Waved In Gorgeous Biodegradable Wicker Lights And Furniture " href="http://www.theandeshouse.com/english/" target="_blank">The Andes House</a> is a not-for-profit social project that aims to add thoughtful modern design to traditional handcrafting techniques, while also providing sustainable work for the community.

Produced from the fiber of the Salix plant, a type of willow called Member (hence the project´s name) these design wonders are made by local artisans from a town called Chimbarongo, near Chile´s bustling capital Santiago.

The town, which is well known for their history on mimbre crafts and exceptional geographical characteristics for growing it, is the perfect context for this project to run slowly but smooth, remaining sustainable in the long term.

Made in MIMBRE is not business orientated. It is a local and social process which started in 2006 and have been successfully growing in a small pace as a consequence of more local people whiling to join.

The antique technique of waving and working with mimbre has been used by local artisans for generations, providing a local craft for making baskets and all sorts of things out of the extremely strong, fast-growing, biodegradable and flexible material.

Six lighting objects, standing and hanging are part of the collection that also includes magazine racks and seats.

The lamps, all named with a different letter and in alphabetic order, could be hang on their own or together as a chandelier.

Some wicked hanging domes will no doubt become the room´s main feature.

Some standing designs have a paper lantern oriental feel.

And some others lights displays themselves like wicker cocoons.

The X magazine rack has a steel organic structure inside.

While the C shaped one could be also used as a table.

Stackable side tables where called M Floor as an homage to its shape.

And the Mc Table looks perfect for an informal afternoon tea or mate with friends at a garden or patio.

The Andes House not only makes stuff from wicker. Made in MIMBRE was their starting project and now they have incorporated a wide range of other local materials to make products from.

Just a month ago they presented new products at Milan Design Week. Exhibiting the warm light of the Member collection but also other products made from local resources like stones, wool, copper and clay.

They work from a ¨Shop - Office ¨ space doing design, architecture and interior decorations, all as a result of their integral approach to work and diverse members ‘skills. The head designer is Cristián Dominguez, who previously worked for several architectural firms in Chile and also in New Zealand.

Apart from objects and furniture, the Made in MIMBRE collection includes six new surphase materials for 3form. These see through bio resin plaques elegantly includes a different part of wicker inside. Perfect for unique and glamorous interiors while embodying a country´s sustainable resources.

Proud and patriotic Chilean lamps hangs from the ceiling at Aquí está Coco´s restaurant. Their thin long shape was inspired by Chile´s geographical shape.

At Santa Berta´s Vineyard tasting room, wicker lamps where hanged directly towards 5 granite stones reflecting the manual labour required for the grape harvesting while enhancing traditional rustic properties of Chilean wine.