Seasonal spotlight: Bielecky Brothers furniture

Something about sunny skies and spring break makes us covet summertime furniture. The family-run Bielecky Brothers still makes wicker furniture by hand--the last surviving company to do so--as their great-grandfather did starting in 1903. Their wicker, cane and rattan furniture has had a cult following since, notably trumpeted by Angelo Donghia in the 1980s.


We asked for a refresher in what distinguishes the three materials. Here's the Bielecky's summary of what we should probably remember from Earth Science class.



Wicker: This isn't a material, but a process of weaving reed (willow or seagrass, although Bielecky only uses reed) taken from a solid section of the vine. Since it comes from the core of the plant, it's naturally porous and therefore accepts stain easily.






Rattan: A vine native to the Southeast Pacific. Its solid core is strong enough to be used as a table and chair frame. When steamed, it can be bent to form graceful shapes. When sanded it becomes porous and can accept stains and paints.






Cane: The outside of the rattan plant; it can be used to wrap hardwood or rattan frames, or woven for seats or surface texture. It is non-porous and will retain its mottled surface.





Stop by Suite 911 at the DDB and revisit our Fireside Chat from last fall to learn more of their history.

MADE: In America Features Bielecky Brothers 2010 Best (Part 2)

Bielecky Brothers furniture is appreciated by leading interior designers and is found in prestigious residences, yachts and resorts around the globe. Pieces of the companies furniture are passed down through subsequent generations are cherished heirlooms. While Bielecky Brothers has made its presence apparent in a wide spectrum of design, the company has furthered their progress by winning the 2010 BEST: Made in America award winner.

In addition to winning the prestigious BEST: Made in America award, Bielecky Brothers participated in the MADE: In America Student Furniture Design Competition. The competition was open to any student enrolled in an accredited Interior Design Program and required the student to design a piece of furniture in wicker, cane or rattan.

Senior executives from Bielecky Brothers and MADE: In America were on hand for consultations at the orientation session and available to students throughout the contest.

Next week, we'll share the winner of the MADE: In America Student Furniture Design Competition and how the Bielecky Brothers helped a young designer create a hugely successful product.

MADE: In America Features Bielecky Brothers 2010 Best (Part 1 of 2)

The American Store is the source for products made in the USA. Each of the award-winning companies featured in the store are Build it in America Certified. Only companies with a demonstrated commitment to manufacturing in the United States and to American workers qualify for this recognition. Selected companies have been further awarded the prestigious BEST: Made in America Award for excellence.

The DDB's very own Bielecky Brothers, Inc. were featured as the 2010 BEST: Made in America award winner, a privilege they keep for as long as the company upholds its American-made standards.

Bielecky Brothers, Inc., has been family-owned and operated since its founding in New York by Andrew and Conrad Bielecky. For over a century the company has set the standards for handcrafting the finest quality rattan, cane and wicker furniture.

Highly skilled artisans who use only the highest-grade raw materials handcraft each piece of furniture produced in the Bielecky factory in Queens. Their meticulous construction insures both comfort and longevity.

"Our family is proud to have received such a prestigious award on behalf of the Bielecky Brothers company," said Peter Bielecky. "We will continue our product as we have since the company was started: American-made."

Check back tomorrow, when we'll learn more about the MADE: In America Award and the company's involvement in the Student Furniture Design Competition.

Fireside Chats: Bielecky Brothers, A Whole Family Affair (Part 2)

Yesterday, we began learning about the Bielecky Brothers, whose showroom you can find at the DDB. Today, we're hearing more about the family-owned business, now in its fourth generation.

At the American Home Decorating Show in 1951 the Bielecky exhibit attracted numerous designers including Billy Baldwin, who had created an elegant collection of "wrapped cane" furniture for the company. In 1979, Angelo Donghia discovered that the unique pliability of Bielecky furniture materials which allowed him to customize designs that were functional as well as physically strong.

At the time, Angelo found he could adapt and restyle these designs for Ralph Lauren's new home, creating a new line of Rattan furniture for Bielecky.

Today, the Bielecky Brothers' factory is located in Queens, New York and employs an international group of highly skilled artisans who handcraft each piece of furniture from start to finish using the highest grade of raw materials. The meticulous procedure has continued to ensure both comfort and longevity in the product.

The factory remains family-owned to this day and despite the fact that nearly all rattan and wicker furniture is now made in Asia, Bielecky Brothers still functions with all three great-grandsons. Ed, Peter and Scott Bielecky run what is now the last surviving handmade wicker furniture company in the United States.

Stop by the Bielecky Brothers showroom at the DDB and let us know what you love. We'll have more on the company and its prestigious Made: In America award that they recently received.

Fireside Chats: The Bielecky Brothers, A Family Affair (Part 1 of 2)

We love learning the history behind the showrooms that we write about everyday. With so many rich stories at our disposal, we've decided to get a few history lessons from the showrooms throughout the Cohen Design Centers, starting with Bielecky Brothers at the DDB.

It was 1903 when brothers Andrew and Conrad Bielecky emigrated from Poland to New York with their family and set up a small shop weaving wicker chairs. The two started out with the goal of setting the highest standard of living based on handcrafted rattan, cane and wicker furniture—and have continued to do so for the next 100 years.

In the 1920's, Bielecky Brothers was one of the first to align with the emerging interior design profession, creating an eclectic variety of custom-made furniture for individual decorators. During the 1930's and 1940's when wicker was relegated to the back porch, the company survived by maintaining quality in production and finishing. Tough times didn't sway the company;  its ability to evolve with the times proved successful.

"Our family-owned business is now in its fourth generation," said Peter Bielecky, one of three great-grandsons now running the company. "We still model our cane and rattan furniture on the very same traditional designs from our inception in the late 19th century. We're very proud of our history and we're excited about our future."

Check back tomorrow with GoDesignGo for more of the Bielecky Brothers' story.

2010 Best: Made in America Award

Bielecky Brothers, Inc. is proud to have been selected as the 2010 Best: Made in America award winner. This prestigious award was presented on the evening of July 4th, 2010 at The United States Capitol as part of the annual “Take pride in America Celebration”.

The Best: Made in America award is the culmination of a yearlong deliberative search process, chaired by a special Congressional Honorary Steering Committee, recognizing excellence in American-made products. The award-winning room is on display in their showroom, suite 911.

Bielecky Brothers is known for the finest hand made, high quality wicker, cane and rattan furniture since 1903.