I've tried bending culms with a torch, which is the way they do it in Asia, but it's really tough to do. In addition to scorching, you finally get to a point where the bamboo reaches its limit and the inner side of the curve gets a bad kink in it because the fibres collapse. It gets harder to do bends as the culms get bigger. I think tight bends are possible, but it helps to have a couple hundred years experience doing it! As far as the cane I made, it is sturdier than you might think, because I didn't give all the construction details. What I did to make sure it held up was to make a tight-fitting wooden plug that I glued inside the crosspiece so that I had a "solid" piece to drill into. I also made a wood plug for the top end of the cane. Then I drilled out the crosspiece to precisely the right diameter to match the top end of the cane; put them together with glue, and put in a very small diameter screw to pin the two together. Working with bamboo is fun, but takes some special techniques.

Ha, I happen to have a "faux" plant on top of my cabinets. I decorate for myself and not for others, so if I like it it's good. I have a wooden cheese box that has a green metal band around it, in front of that are some tins. I have lots of tins up there, along with a ceramic set of cannisters, cruets, spice etc. that belonged to a great aunt. I also have a large ceramic goose, very very out of style but my husband bought it for me in Napa when we were first married so that baby is staying. Ya'll would probably die laughing and snicker about my terrible taste, but I love it. I say if it makes you feel good, it works.

It's a plan...first research the strongest glue (link above but it doesn't cover all glues...) and, as I said, I wouldn't use expanding. Then youtube tourniquet clamp. Basically ropes would go around the parts you want to squeeze together--in your chairs is would be the very top rail down to the bit above where you sit...anyway lasso rope around that tie a knot and then tie a what-have-you (I usually use a hammer) to the knot with another knot. Then you're going to twist the hammer round and round...you'll see the cracked/broken area tighten so make sure your rope is strong...Also, put the knot/hammer near the seat because after gluing you don't want to have to stand there and hold the hammer. So you'll need something heavy to rest on the hammer to keep it from twisting undone... Let it sit until dry and then some. Don't forget to let it cure, too for a week or so (personally I would keep the clamp on it for a week). Let us know how it goes!

I would consider sculpture or something with organic lines, rather than rectangles. Sometimes you can find small or lightweight pieces with solid backs that you can hang with 3m command picture hanging strips. I do like the idea of candle sconces. I am a big fan of wall vases too. Maybe look for driftwood pieces? Resin starfish are easy to decorate with. Or lightweight pottery wall art. (I have a gorgeous pottery fish that I am trying to find a place for.) Shallow live edge floating shelves with objects leaning against the wall could be interesting. If you are interested in sculpture, look at Arhaus, Pottery Barn, placemats, odd shaped trays, shallow centerpiece bowls, and etsy should have a ton of stuff once you get an idea of what you want. Whatever you do, be prepared to return it, or use it somewhere else. Unless you are really good at combining art on a wall, it may take a few tries. Symmetrical candle sconces are a safer bet.