Ico Traders began here. I design every piece from Halkett St, in the heart of the city.
When I talk about our furniture being made for Canterbury conditions, I mean the conditions outside the door of my home. The nor'wester that blows us about. The salt air rolling in off Sumner and New Brighton and all coastal suburbs. The frost that hits in Winter. I've seen what our climate does to furniture for over a decade and its something I design around.
Christchurch weather isn't gentle. We get high UV in summer & sharp frosts in winter. If you're anywhere near the coast, salt air is our enemy, actively working to eat away at everything.
Ico's steel wire furniture is finished with a PVDF base coat before powder coating. This gives it genuine protection against rust and fading. If you live in Sumner, Redcliffs, New Brighton or anywhere else the sea air can reach, we recommend the stainless steel range. It's the strongest defence against salt spray and coastal humidity and it's worth the investment if your furniture lives outside, year round.
For those further inland: Merivale, St Albans, Cashmere or out toward Rolleston or Prebbleton, our standard mild steel range holds up well - with a little seasonal care.
Canterbury living means furniture needs to earn its place. Ours is designed to move from the deck, to the dining room and back. It works if you're chasing the last of the evening sun . Most importantly, when the Nor wester hits, the wind will blow straight through the wires.
The intention is for my designs to last well past the first owner. Welds can be repaired and steel wires can be repowdercoated. If a colour's had its decade, or the elements have taken their toll, it doesn't need replacing. Repair, repaint reuse.
Ico Traders has always been upfront about how our furniture is made. All the wire furniture is designed by me in Christchurch. Production is carried out by the same supplier I've worked with for over a decade. Soft furnishings and timber tops are made locally, by Christchurch people.
Ico Traders is based at 12 Halkett St, Christchurch Central. Come see the range in person, or shop online with delivery across Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand.
What outdoor furniture is best for Christchurch's weather? Look for furniture finished to handle UV, wind and temperature swings. Our steel wire furniture is coated for rust and fade resistance, we recommend stainless steel specifically for coastal Christchurch suburbs like Sumner and New Brighton.
Is wire furniture good for coastal homes? Our stainless steel range is designed with coastal conditions in mind and offers the strongest protection we make against salt air and humidity.
Can Ico Traders furniture be repowdercoated? Yes. Steel can be stripped right back and recolours to look brad new. It can be repowdercoated in a new colour, which is part of why we design furniture to last well beyond trends, rather than needing replacement.
Is Ico Traders furniture made in New Zealand? The furniture is designed in Christchurch by Miranda. Our accessories are made locally in New Zealand; the wire furniture is manufactured by a single long-term supplier in China
WELCOME, we love that you're here!!
Join our Ico Traders family & receive 10% off your first order*
*Discount applies to the Ico Traders brand only
WELCOME, we love that you're here!!
Join our Ico Traders family & receive 10% off your first order*
*Discount applies to the Ico Traders brand only