Rye Straw

Rye straw, a story of material

Split, flattened and glued strand by strand, rye straw becomes a luminous veneer that gave straw marquetry its fame — a French decorative art born in the 17th century and revived by Art Deco cabinetmakers. Under light, each strand reflects differently, giving this modest material an almost precious shine. At Maison Douineau, we select rye straw grown for the quality of its stem, natural or dyed in a wide colour range.

Our rye straw: uses and applications

Our range offers flattened rye straw, ready to be glued for your marquetry projects, as well as a wide choice of coloured rye straw, from natural to the boldest shades. This straw suits decorative marquetry as well as the restoration of antique re-seated furniture and objects, or educational and artistic projects introducing this French craft.

Choosing and preparing your rye straw

Colour is chosen according to the pattern you want: natural straw for a traditional golden look, dyed straw for more contemporary compositions. Before working it, lightly dampening the straw softens it and makes it easier to flatten or shape onto the surface being veneered. Once finished, keep rye straw away from direct light to preserve the brightness of its colours.

Maison Douineau, sourcing expertise since 1850

Selecting beautiful rye straw is a skill Maison Douineau has cultivated since 1850, between craft tradition and quality standards. Ready to try your hand at straw marquetry? Discover our creation ideas in the Vannerie DIY universe.