Project Background:
This artsy café is about to open, but its manager, Steven, couldn't find any decorative items that would match the café's ambiance. One day, while browsing Facebook, he discovered baskegem and thought that handwoven baskets might be a good match for their artsy vibe. He then started a conversation with us.
I. Product Functions and Customization Requirements
The products featured in this collaboration are handcrafted rattan trays and decorative floral baskets, made primarily of natural rattan, offering both breathability and load-bearing capacity. Customization of size and color schemes is available. The café, located in the old town, specializes in specialty coffee and floral experiences. It needed containers that complemented the café's retro-artistic style while also serving multiple purposes, including coffee bean packaging, dessert display, and dried flower storage. Ordinary plastic or metal containers would not match the space's ambiance.
II. Collaborative Advancement and Overcoming Challenges
At the initial stage of the collaboration, the café raised two core requirements: first, the baskets needed to be compatible with the dimensions of the bar shelves and have a non-slip bottom; second, the color scheme needed to echo the café's caramel wood tones to avoid the monotony of the natural rattan color. Our team first measured the bar space on-site, adjusted the warp and weft weave density of the traditional basket shape, and added silicone non-slip mats to the bottom. For the color scheme, we experimented with combining natural rattan with caramel-colored environmentally friendly paint, and after three rounds of sampling, the final design was determined. The production phase coincided with the peak season for rattan procurement, and the risk of raw material supply delays became apparent. We coordinated with our own forest farm to prioritize the allocation of premium rattan, and also added night shifts to expedite production, ensuring the timely delivery of the first batch of 50 customized baskets.
III. Customer User Experience Feedback
The café uses
storage baskets for organizing and storing coffee beans at the bar, displaying desserts, and using floral baskets as table flower containers to complement the seating. Steven commented, "The rattan texture blends seamlessly with the shop's wooden decor, and customers often ask about them. They're not only practical but also become a photo opportunity; the non-slip design makes bar operations safer, and the custom sizes perfectly utilize the corners of the shelves." The café later added 30 smaller storage baskets for displaying creative and cultural merchandise.
IV. Conclusion of Cooperation
This collaboration precisely targets the specific needs of cafes, transforming handmade rattan baskets from mere "storage tools" into "furnishing elements" through customized design and efficient supply chain response. It not only fulfills practical functions but also imbues the product with aesthetic value, enhancing the cafe's brand image and providing valuable practical experience for expanding our customized business in the food and beverage cultural and creative sector.