In a world obsessed with the new, Harvey G. Schwartz stands as a passionate custodian of the past. For decades, he has been at the forefront of a quiet but powerful design movement; the rattan resurgence.
With an engineer’s mind and an artist’s eye, Schwartz didn’t just follow a trend, he anticipated one. Where others saw retro kitsch or second-hand clutter, he recognised clean lines, ingenious construction, and impeccable craftsmanship.
For this seasoned furniture dealer, vintage rattan wasn’t just stylish, it was significant. His journey from enthusiastic hobbyist to keeper of the largest collection of Paul T Frankl’s iconic rattan pieces, began decades ago.
Schwartz was drawn to the unique style of mid-century rattan and began collecting at a time when few saw its value. What started as a fun pastime – and a weekend distraction from his job as an engineer at NASA – soon transformed into a mission to rescue and restore these overlooked pieces of design history.
Now, for the first time in decades, more than two dozen museum-quality Paul T Frankl rattan pieces are available for sale to the public via his online store, Harvey’s Private Collection.
Here, we take a look at Schwartz’s influence, the history of this sustainable furniture and its ever-growing appeal…
The Rich Heritage of Rattan
Long before it was reclaimed as a modern design favorite, rattan was a material steeped in cultural significance, craftsmanship, and practicality. Harvested from fast-growing climbing palms found throughout tropical Asia, rattan has long been celebrated for its strength, flexibility, and natural elegance.
Its use dates back centuries across many cultures, from traditional Southeast Asian homes to colonial verandas in Europe. But it was in the early 20th century – particularly between the 1930s and 1950s – that rattan experienced its golden age in American design.
This era, marked by the rise of tropical modernism, saw designers such as Paul T Frankl, blend streamlined modernist forms with organic, island-inspired aesthetics.
Rattan’s relaxed silhouettes and breezy textures found their spiritual home in California. Light, durable, and visually inviting, it became the unofficial furniture of sunshine, leisure, and understated elegance. If the Beach Boys defined the sound of summer and surf, rattan defined its look.
Yet, like many once-cherished materials, rattan fell out of favor with the rise of synthetic alternatives and mass production. By the late 1970s, it had largely disappeared from mainstream interiors, relegated to tiki nostalgia and sunroom throwbacks.
The Making of a Master Archive
Step forward Harvey G. Schwartz. Over the years, the LA-born dealer has amassed one of the world’s most significant private collections of vintage rattan and bamboo furniture, now known as Harvey’s Private Collection. This archive isn’t just a warehouse of furniture, it’s a curated museum of mid-century craftsmanship.
His journey began in 1969 with the opening of his first store in Los Angeles, followed in 1977 by the launch of Harvey’s on Beverly – a must-visit destination for interior designers and collectors alike. As his passion for rattan deepened, particularly for Paul Frankl’s iconic designs, in 1978, he went on to acquire the Tropical Sun Rattan store.
Since then, Schwartz has devoted himself to carefully restoring and preserving Frankl’s work, with his collection now featuring pieces sourced from homes personally designed by Frankl himself.
“Paul T Frankl was one of the first designers to work with rattan in Los Angeles and to put his pieces in movies and the homes of the Hollywood elite,” explains Schwartz. “After that, his designs were copied all over the world. Rattan reached its peak popularity in the 50s, and it calmed down in the 60s and early 70s when I got into the business. I had a store on Melrose back then and when I put some rattan in the window, it was an instant hit.”
Indeed, Schwartz’s pieces have landed in the homes of stars like Barbra Streisand, and one of his rattan sofas famously appeared on the set of The Golden Girls.
From sculptural loungers and side tables to Paul Frankl-style pretzel armchairs, credenzas and coffee tables, each item has a provenance and a story. Many were rescued from obscurity, painstakingly restored using traditional methods, original fittings, and a perfectionist’s touch.
For Schwartz, collecting was never about acquisition. Each piece was researched, documented, and given the attention it deserved – not to restore it to something new, but to revive it with its history intact.
“Frankl’s designs embody elegance and practicality,” Schwartz notes. “He brought rattan to a level of artistry that remains influential today.”
A Sustainable and Stylish Legacy
Of course, it’s extremely useful that rattan is a renewable resource. For today’s eco-conscious designers and collectors, vintage rattan represents the best of both worlds; sustainable sourcing and timeless design.
Owning a piece from his collection isn’t just about style, it’s about preserving a philosophy of living that values quality, intention, and care.
Now, after decades of careful stewardship, Schwartz is entering a new chapter. He’s opening up both his private collection and his showroom to new owners, offering a rare opportunity to acquire these one-of-a-kind pieces.
“Rattan is associated with happiness; it’s associated with relaxation and coolness,” says Schwartz, who is also affectionately known as ‘The Rattan Man’.
Indeed, this isn’t just a sale, it’s a passing of the torch. His legacy lies not only in the objects he preserved, but in the reverence with which he approached them. In a throwaway culture, he championed repair, restoration, and respect.
Through his work, he has given mid-century rattan the status it deserves; as design history, as a cultural record, and as enduring beauty.
The Invitation: Join the Rattan Resurgence
Whether you’re furnishing a mid-century home, looking for a sustainable centrepiece, or simply drawn to the quiet sophistication of rattan, Schwartz’s collection offers more than furniture, it offers a narrative.
Each curved armrest, each woven panel, each bamboo joint carries with it the touch of an artisan, the eye of a collector, and the promise of longevity. These are objects made to last and to matter.
Harvey G. Schwartz is more than a collector. He’s a storyteller, a preservationist, and a visionary. And now, you’re invited to become part of that story.
For more information visit Harvey’s Private Collection and TropicalSunRattan.com.