![Book Flatlay Cover Front Transparent Trio[1]](https://d31dpzy4bseog7.cloudfront.net/media/2024/06/07080212/Book_Flatlay_Cover_Front_Transparent_Trio1.png)
Melbourne-based Classic with a Twist – which specialises in outdoor furniture, homewares and outdoor lighting – has added esteemed Danish maker Sika Design to its impressive inventory of designer brands.
Melbourne-based Classic with a Twist, which specialises in outdoor furniture, homewares and outdoor lighting, has added another esteemed name to its stellar inventory of designer brands like Fermob and Tectona. Sika Design, founded in Denmark in 1942 by Ankjaer Andreason, is renowned for artisan outdoor furniture made from wicker and sustainable Indonesian rattan.
“Sika Design furniture embodies a blend of high-quality craftsmanship with rustic natural charm, showcasing a timeless appeal,” says Classic with a Twist’s director of sales and marketing, Justin de Steiger. “A Danish family company, it is globally recognised for its exquisite furniture handmade by skilled wicker craftsmen.”
The brand’s pieces are designed both in-house and by legendary names such as Arne Jacobsen and Viggo Boesen. Helmed by third-generation family member Louise Andreasen, Sika Design remains committed to sustainability and uncompromising quality. “The company’s mission is to produce furniture from materials that have the least possible impact on the environment and that its customers can, and want to, keep for many years to come,” says de Steiger.
Sika Design’s exterior collection is resilient and versatile, engineered to be able to cope with Australia’s extreme climate. Crafted with alu-rattan – a combination of powder-coated aluminium and hand-woven ArtFibre – the pieces boast exceptional durability and weather resistance. “The collection can withstand heavy rain, very cold conditions and the sun’s UV radiation. Alu-rattan has a remarkable strength and comfort and can be left outdoors all year round without compromising the design or quality.”
The materiality imparts a relaxed, informal charm that resonates beautifully with the Australian lifestyle, while the distinctive designs elevate outdoor spaces with understated elegance. “Designers often use rattan furniture to create a relaxed informality, loved by Australians, and to provide a serious chic element. Many Australians have a long family connection with rattan, and it’s not uncommon for precious rattan pieces to become family heirlooms, handed down from generation to generation.”
Highlights of the collection include the Charlottenberg lounge chair and sofa, designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1936 and featuring his signature parallel curves, and the best-selling Rossini chair, a design collaboration between second-generation Sika owner Knud Andreasen and Japanese designer Yuzuru Yamakawa, which was released in an outdoor iteration at this year’s Milan Design Week. “I love the versatility of this dining chair. With its charming crossover weave, it looks equally at home in a grand dining room as it does in a more relaxed, rustic setting.”
The collection also includes the Bistro two-seater bench designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in the 1950s, an elegant piece that’s rich in detail. The iconic 1959 Hanging Egg chair by esteemed designer Nanna Ditzel, and which comes in indoor and outdoor versions, is another highlight. “It’s a swing chair which curves to your body and one that the whole family gravitates to.”
With its emphasis on the highest quality craftsmanship, commitment to sustainability and Scandinavian passion for design, Sika is an ideal partner for Classic with a Twist. And the brand’s dedication to timeless rattan makes it deeply appealing for the Australian way of life. “Rattan is strong, durable and versatile,” says de Steiger. “At the same time, the intricate weaving and warm earthy tones highlight the material’s inherent beauty, making rattan furniture perfect for creating a welcoming and relaxing space.”
