Rowan Cantilever Dining Chairs: Synthetic Rattan Back, 2.5cm Chrome Tube, 136kg Rated
By Furniture1002 min read
The Rowan is our cantilever dining chair with a woven back: a synthetic rattan panel on a curved wooden frame, a faux leather seat, and a C-shaped chrome base with no back legs. It is the chair for someone who wants the mid-century cane-and-chrome look in a kitchen that would be unkind to natural cane.
What it is
The base is the point. A cantilever frame carries the seat on a single bent tube, here 2.5cm diameter chrome-plated round iron, with runners on the floor rather than four legs. Lean back and the frame gives slightly. Pull it out and it slides rather than lifts.
The backrest is a gently curved, slanted wooden frame holding a woven panel of synthetic rattan in PP and PE. The seat is high-resilience foam under smooth faux leather.
The stated figures:
| Maximum load | 136kg (300 pounds) per chair |
| Frame tube | 2.5cm diameter chrome-plated iron |
Who it suits
A dining room or kitchen with the cane-and-chrome look in mind, particularly one that runs warm or gets heavy use. Synthetic weave shrugs off the dry heat and the spills that shorten the life of natural cane, which is why the Rowan is the woven chair we point people to for a kitchen table.
Cantilevers slide rather than lift, so on a hardwood floor put felt pads on the runner ends. On carpet they are ideal.
What buyers say
Eight reviews, and the assembly note comes up in three of them, always with the same conclusion:
"Great sturdy chairs. Although assembly is straight forward you need a little muscle to push the metal tubes in to each other. Good value. Comfortable and nice looking chairs. Bigger than expected."
"Well made and easy to put together, nice wide seats and comfortable, and they also look nice."
The seats being wider than expected is a recurring pleasant surprise.
Living with it
Wipe the faux leather seat with a damp cloth. Brush the woven back or vacuum it with the soft attachment; being synthetic, a damp cloth is fine on it too. Keep the chrome dry and it will not pit.
Find yours
Free UK delivery and 30-day returns. Sold as a set of two.
See the Rowan cantilever chairs. For the same frame with a cane-look back, see the Vienna; for natural cane on four legs, the Nora. Our cane and rattan guide explains the difference. Or browse all the dining chairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cantilever chair?
A chair with no back legs. The seat sits on a continuous C-shaped frame, so the whole chair has a slight spring when you lean back. It slides in and out rather than lifting, and it does not rock on an uneven floor because it rests on two long runners.
How much weight does the Rowan take?
The product page states 136kg, or 300 pounds, per chair, on a frame of 2.5cm diameter chrome-plated round iron tube.
Is the rattan back real rattan?
No. It is a synthetic woven panel, PP and PE, on a curved wooden backrest frame. That is the version to choose for a warm kitchen or a busy household, because synthetic weave does not dry out or go brittle the way natural cane can.
Is it hard to assemble?
Straightforward, but the tubes are a tight fit. Several buyers note you need a little muscle to push the metal sections together; one used ratchet straps. Once together, they describe the chairs as sturdy.
Do they come as a set?
Yes, a set of two.
