Lloyd Loom

What is Lloyd Loom furniture?

In 1917, the American engineer Marshall Lloyd Burns filed a patent for the manufacture of Lloyd Loom weaving, intended to replace rattan weaving. Produced on a special loom, the Lloyd Loom weave is based on Kraft paper twists, reinforced by steel rods. Manufactured in rolls, the Lloyd Loom is then cut, as one would do with fabric or leather, and stapled directly to form the shape on the rattan or wooden structure of the seat. The plaited kraft paper braid placed to hide the staples is the signature of a piece of Lloyd Loom furniture. The Lloyd Loom weave is kraft coloured when raw and can be lacquered or dyed very easily. Popularised in the 30s, mainly in England, Lloyd loom is emblematic of the style of that period. Tens of thousands of pieces were made before the factories were destroyed by the bombing of London in 1940. Extremely durable, many vintage Looms reappeared in the 80s at flea markets, reaching record prices for pieces in good condition. Production was then re-launched in Asia, and Lloyd Loom furniture has been enjoying a new lease of life.

What are the advantages of a Lloyd Loom chair or armchair?

The steel wire reinforcement hidden in the woven uprights makes a Lloyd Loom chair is very strong. It is literally puncture-proof and is also very soft to the touch because the surface of the Lloyd Loom weave is made of lacquered kraft paper. There is no risk of it catching your tights or causing splinters, which can happen with natural fibres. And last but not least, visually no natural fibre is as fine as Lloyd Loom, only 1.7mm in diameter. The elegance of a Lloyd Loom armchair comes from the way the weave is placed on the structure. Unlike a rattan armchair, which is woven strand by strand on the frame and where the weaver spreads the uprights to follow the shape of the armchair, the Lloyd Loom weave is laid in place like cloth, highlighting the curves of the product.

What precautions are necessary when using Lloyd Loom furniture?

Lloyd Loom furniture is not suitable for outdoor use. Kraft paper, steel, lacquer: not ideal materials to leave unprotected from the weather. However, it can be used in verandas, conservatories, and covered terraces on sunny days. The lacquer finish can also peel off a little when you bump a Lloyd Loom chair against a table, for example. If this happens, it is very easy to touch-up the paint with a small brush. KOK supplies small pots of touch-up paint on request.