11/30/2016
Patio Furnishings: Chic and Contemporary
Chris Beytes
“Chic and contemporary” are what’s selling, said one exhibitor. When asked to explain, she said “angles” and “silver and gray” finishes. I’ll bet 80% of the furniture on display fit that category. The place was a sea of angular, oversized, multi-material, monochrome designs. Metal was combined with teak, muted fabrics and woven rope, strapping and faux rattan. Yes, there was traditional cast aluminum, wicker and recycled plastic. But those look so last century compared to these favorites of ours. Have a seat!
Using sleek teak and a weatherproof composite that’s the spitting image of slate, France’s Les Jardins put a contemporary spin on the classic Adirondack chair and fire pit.
www.lesjardins.us
These chunky pieces by Slim Furniture disassemble and pack together for easy and extremely compact winter storage. Constructed of powder-coated aluminum and synthetic wicker, they require NO tools to assemble or take apart. The secret is ratchet straps.
www.slimfurniture.com
Canadian designer Mountain House Furniture offers unusual metal, wood and weave combinations, such as this new design featuring welded steel frames and synthetic braided chord sides.
www.mountainhousefurniture.ca
SUNS calls their new Isla design a “friendly-looking low lounger” for obvious reasons. Made from recycled teak and coated steel, it earned a B3 Benelux Design Award for 2016 at the B3 Trade Fair in the Netherlands for 2016.
www.hello-suns.com
We saw lots of interesting weaving going on in today’s contemporary outdoor furniture, but none more substantial than on the Crown deep seating set from Australia’s Indosoul.
indosoul.com.au
This set by Outdoor Interiors is as nice a combination of teak and resin wicker as you’ll find. Contemporary? Classic? We say both.
www.outdoorinteriors.com GP