: Cane and Able.

Setting the scene is important and nothing could be more appropriate than cane, rattan, and bamboo furniture.

In the days when the sun never set on the British Empire, the owners of England's great houses added conservatories and palm courts, then filled them with tropical plants and rattan chairs and tables.

The beauty of the these pieces is that their texture and colour perfectly complements today's neutral colour palette with creams, mellow browns, and taupes.There's a wealth of different styles around, ranging from those evoking the days of the Raj to those which are sleek and streamlined enough for the most contemporary home.

The Pier is proud of its tradition of specialising in rattan furniture, using the rattan vine sourced from the tropical jungles in China, Indonesia and the Philippines. The store says that using rattan is environmentally friendly because it doesn't harm the rain forests.

So check out some of this store's eco-friendly, attractive pieces. Its Kim rattan armchair is just pounds 34.95, and is available in hot shades - pink, ochre and Mediterranean blue - as well as the traditional colours of honey, black, mahogany and white.

Its Macao range would suit any interior. An armchair costs pounds 129 and a sofa pounds 189 can be teamed with a coffee table and magazine rack. They are just part of a veritable feast of rattan, including pieces to suit every room in the house. Whether its dining on the patio, eating outdoors or just having a drink in the sun, Marks & Spencer has a range that is as well designed as it is durable. This store's Westport rattan range is simply stunning with its simple cream colour, and scroll arms, and complementing cream cushions. A large two seater sofa costs pounds 799 and an armchair is priced at pounds 450. It also offers Pacific Rattan, with its more open weave, contemporary style, and the classic Square Arm Rattan. Each range has matching coffee and side tables. Next is not to be outdone with its dark honey-coloured selection of rattan pieces. Dine in style with a pair of rattan chairs, pounds 129, and dining table with rattan cutlery drawer, pounds 259. Sit comfortably on a small sofa, pounds 499, and armchair, pounds 349, and tidy everything away in wood and rattan trunks, pounds 79.99 for a set of two. Its bamboo range of chests and planters has a suitably tropical feel and sits well in a period setting, with its rather Victorian feel. A large chest costs pounds 59.99 and a set of two smaller ones can be bought for pounds 39.99.

Two planters are pounds 1.99, and a bamboo urn on a metal stand is pounds 39.99. Oka specialises in East meets West and so it's hardly surprising that its catalogue is packed with covetable bamboo and woven furniture and accessories. Choose from its Zanzibar two seater club sofa, with its thick sweater weave, pounds 950 and matching ottoman, pounds 269. Also on offer from Oka is a bamboo effect Regency mirror, pounds 175, and matching folding table, pounds 415, with table lamp pounds 112 which could give an interior a plantation house feel.

Capture the elegance of a famed Raffles room - named after the famous hotel in Singapore - with woven furniture from The Cotswold Company. The Mocha chaise longue, pounds 299 is in hand-woven wicker and comes with mocha-coloured cushions. Its Raffles rattan sectional furniture can fit any shape or space, and the seat bases lift up to reveal storage space. A two seater sofa costs pounds 558, a corner sofa, pounds 999 and a coffee table is pounds 229. That's a fraction of its range, which includes accessories from storage boxes to mirrors and pet baskets to a Fern screen.

Gather just a few pieces or accessories, add some long cold drinks and company, and all you'll be lacking is that tropical sunshine. Gabrielle FaganIT'S SUMMER time and the living should be easy. For most of us the ideal is relaxing at home with family and friends, enjoying long, leisurely al fresco meals or get togethers.

CAPTION(S):

The Pier: 0845-609 1234 or www.pier.co.uk Marks & Spencer: 0207-268 1234 or www.marksandspencer.com; Wicker's way; Next Directory: 0845-600 7000 Oka mail order: 0870-160 6002 The Cotswold Company: 0870 600 3436 or www.CotswoldCo.com; CLOCKWISE: From top left - The Pier's classic Kim chair, pounds 34; Pinitubo bistro set from Marks & Spencer, pounds 299, cylinder vase, pounds 15, images cups and saucers, pack of two pounds 20 and beach towel, pounds 15; pair of rattan chairs, pounds 129 and dining table with rattan cutlery drawer, pounds 259, screen, pounds 129 and chest of drawers, pounds 159 from Next; Westport rattan armchair, pounds 450 from Marks & Spencer, planters from pounds 15, chenille cushions, pounds 20 and throw, pounds 30/pounds 50; Mocha chaise longue from The Cotswold Company, pounds 299; Raffles furniture from The Cotswold Company - end table, pounds 179, coffee table, pounds 229, standard chair, pounds 229, corner chair, pounds 279 and two-seater sofa, pounds 558