Traditional basketry and art basketry in Villaines-les-Rochers (37)

A diploma from ENOV in her pocket (rattan furniture), Catherine Romand have been practicing the traditional basketwork of Villaines-les-Rochers since nearly 20 years … The time to feel to tied in a job that she loves yet deeply, the desire to break with an everyday life job was then imposed.

Rebel but faithful, it is with Christophe, her husband, who is also growing wicker and basket maker (best worker of France titled), that she turned from rattan to the wicker and furniture to the basket.

These tools are her hands. It is from her mind and from scratch that the models she creates are born. Original shapes and combinations of materials, wrought iron, leather and wood, are blended with a fertile imagination to expresses itself as well in fine wickerwork, furniture, sculptures, wicker living, as in custom creations.

The mastery of the gesture is in the least detail, as well as the good taste too. His baskets are not simple tracery as each receives a small personal touch.

If the light of day allows to appreciate the delicacy of the works, the one in the evening values a collection of unusual and sculptural luminaries. When night falls, the feminine and generous forms come to life when the dancing shadow of their intertwining stretches out on the walls or the ceilings.

Craftsman Catherine Romand received, in 2003, the favorite prize of the SEMA, (today replaced by the INMA Price : Avenir Métiers d’Art INMA). Since 2010, she is on her own and it is thanks to her character, soaked like the steel around which she braids that she has been able to give birth to the baskets that she streches out from their simple decorative vocation, by giving them a soul.

Graduated from the basketry school in 1980, he has been working for 30 years in a basket production series company in Villaines-les-Rochers. He took the opportunity to make his own plantations, which, have been without chemical treatment since 8 years. Christophe Romand avoids treatments as much as possible, except when it is really necessary. Passionate, he receives the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Worker in France) in 1994 by the age of 33. That makes him one of the youngest to be graduated from this title.

He quits the baskets business to settle down and finally work in his own way to various requests. They worked for HERMES and LA CORNUE.

Individuals, professionals can contact Romand’art for any information as well as to présent their request: decorative elements, garden furniture, baskets, furniture, storage. From the smallest to the largest model (last offal days 4 meters high and other 4 meters in diameter) the skills we have ables us to work as tailor-made for architect, designer or individual such as Hennessy and other major brands etc

The tailor-made and the quality of our work is a garanty, the originality of our creations takes us from a several hundred years old art, towards a contemporary design work which allows to project itself towards a different and innovating future. Every day we faced new demands and help to realize the craziest projects, in a proven and structured technique. From conception to realization, through prototypes, your dream can become reality.

From the smallest to the largest, the metal structures made in our workshop allow us to manufacture all custom objects on site. Wicker, metal, rattan, the mix brings a revival in the world of design. Christophe meanwhile, will take you in his upscale baskets on all the old know-how, with a passion and a know-how made in the Meilleur Ouvrier de France.