A Pair of Antique Bamboo Chairs

Some pieces of furniture are just that—furniture. And then there are those special pieces that carry with them decades of stories, memories, and family history. For me, this pair of antique bamboo chairs is one of those treasures. You may be thinking, what even is an antique faux bamboo chair? Or how can I get my hands on one of these for my home? This style is timeless but bamboo is also incredibly on trend at the moment. Well, thankfully I was passed down these special pieces from my Grandmother and I couldn’t wait to share the story with you.

I grew up with these chairs in my grandmother’s home in Jupiter, Florida. Her small, open living room was a place that seemed to hold magic. I can still picture the terracotta tile floors warmed by the Florida sun, the rich colors of an oriental rug stretched across the space, and the large dental cabinet that lined one wall, its drawers filled with endless curiosities. My sister and I would spend hours pulling open each drawer to discover little treasures, our favorite being a wide-tooth blue comb that we’d carefully use to straighten the rug’s fringe until it was perfectly neat.

Those chairs stood tall beside it all, perched next to her kitchen and inviting in their exotic bamboo frames. As a young child, they felt impossibly high to climb into—like thrones for play and imagination. I can still feel my little legs swinging from their edge, the way the bamboo arms wrapped around me like a nest.

But the most enduring memory in those chairs was listening to my grandmother’s voice as she read aloud to us. She chose Little Women, and chapter by chapter, she read from those very chairs while we sat cross-legged on the rug below. At the time, the story seemed endless, and my attention would sometimes drift, but I also remember being completely enthralled by the March sisters’ world. It became a ritual, stretching over years, only when we visited her, and it was worth the wait each time.

One Christmas, she gave us each a Madame Alexander doll that matched one of the characters from the book—Jo, Meg, Beth, Amy, and even Laurie. Each year, another doll was unwrapped until, at last, we had the whole set. I don’t think I realized then how meaningful that tradition was, but today it stands as one of the most heartfelt family memories I carry. It’s no surprise that now, as an adult, whenever I stumble upon an old copy of Little Women while antiquing, I can’t resist bringing it home. And if you haven’t seen the most recent film adaptation with Emma Watson, I highly recommend it—it’s beautifully shot, with such rich detail in the sets and costumes.

The Chair Itself

This pair of vintage bamboo chairs is more than sentimental—they are also remarkable examples of design. Their form is rooted in the Brighton Pavilion style, part of the Chinoiserie movement that swept England in the 18th and 19th centuries. With its bent bamboo frame, intricate fretwork details, and barrel-back silhouette, the style echoes faraway places and the timeless allure of natural materials.

For a time, I covered the original peacock green velvet cushions (which my grandmother custom-made herself, welted with precision) in burlap, thinking the rustic look suited my space. But in recent years, I’ve peeled away that makeshift cover and restored the cushions to their former glory. There is such richness in the jewel-toned velvet—it feels like an heirloom once again, carrying forward the taste and style my grandmother had all along.

A Journey Through Time

When my grandmother later moved to Tallahassee during my middle school years, the chairs came with her. This time, they sat prominently in her foyer, where they became the first thing you saw when you walked through the door. They seemed to set the stage for her home—welcoming, gracious, and a touch refined.

And today, those same chairs sit proudly in my own foyer. They are the first to greet our guests, a true showcase of heritage, memory, and design. But perhaps most importantly, they now hold space for my own children to climb, to play, and to create their own stories—just as I once did.

It’s in these small threads, passed from one generation to the next, that I find the deepest beauty of family heirlooms. A chair isn’t just a chair—it’s a vessel of memory, a marker of taste, and a keeper of tradition. And I can’t think of a more fitting role for a pair of antique bamboo chairs than to carry forward the story of family, chapter by chapter, just as my grandmother once did.

What are Pavilion Style Bamboo Chairs?

You’ll often hear bamboo and faux bamboo furniture described as Brighton Pavilion style. This phrase comes from the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England, built in the early 19th century as a seaside retreat for King George IV. Its architecture and interiors embraced an exotic Chinoiserie style, blending Asian-inspired motifs with English craftsmanship.

Furniture in this style is recognizable for its:

Bamboo or faux bamboo frames
Geometric fretwork and lattice details
Curved arms and barrel backs
A lightness and airiness perfect for both casual and refined interiors

Chinoiserie Influence

The Chinoiserie style was Europe’s way of interpreting and romanticizing Asian design. Beginning in the 17th century, it brought motifs like pagodas, fretwork, bamboo, and painted lacquer into Western homes. This global influence gave rise to a whole category of antique bamboo furniture, making it not only beautiful but also historically significant.

What is Faux Bamboo?

Not all “bamboo” furniture is made of bamboo. Many antique and vintage pieces, especially those crafted in the 18th and 19th centuries, were made from wood that was carved and stained to mimic bamboo stalks. This is known as faux bamboo, and it allowed cabinetmakers to create sturdier, longer-lasting furniture while still achieving the exotic look.

Value of Antique Bamboo Chairs

The value of antique bamboo chairs depends on several factors:

Age & provenance – 19th-century English or French faux bamboo is especially prized.
Condition – original finishes and intact fretwork add to the value.
Rarity & maker – certain makers or pairs of chairs can command higher prices.
Style & materials – original velvet cushions or rare painted finishes can increase desirability.

In today’s market, single vintage bamboo chairs often range from $500–$1,500, while pairs or particularly rare pieces may reach several thousand dollars.

Why I Love These Chairs

At the end of the day, the history, style, and value are all fascinating—but for me, these chairs are priceless. They hold the memory of my grandmother’s voice reading Little Women, the sound of my sister and me giggling on the rug, and now, the sight of my children perched on them in our foyer. They are living proof that design isn’t just about form or function—it’s about the stories that shape our lives.