Full FurnitureGeneral FurnitureInteriors FurnitureDesign FurnitureGreen CouchGreen ChairsGreen RoomGreen Leather ChairLeather ChairsForwardAmerican Leather--Cole--WANT! I sat in this chair yesterday, I will be specifying it for one of my clients. It is so comfortable and stylish!Welcome to the storeBuy Photo Recently, a pair of homeowners approached landscape designer Gina Benincasa and told her that they were sick and tired of replacing their outdoor furniture every few years. “Build us something that will last forever,” they said. For these clients, a stone bench and granite-topped table were the solution to a common challenge: choosing outdoor furniture that can weather the dog days of summer — and beyond. Not all can afford custom work, so we asked Benincasa, who works for D&A Dunlevy Landscapers in Poolesville, for the rundown on the metal, wood, and plastic furnishings for decks, patios and balconies. First, she says, there’s metal, which is probably the most durable but can be expensive.
(And be aware of the differences between powder-coated metal, which makes for a long, colorful life, and painted metal, which is less expensive but will require more maintenance, Benincasa says.) Second, there’s wood, mostly teak, “which definitely withstands the test of time.” And then there’s wicker, which is a weave that’s now made of better, longer-lasting stuff than in the past. Last, there’s plastic, which can be trendy and fun, but might need to be replaced more often. If the rule applies anywhere, it’s here: You get what you pay for. “We definitely go for things that are going to stand the test of time — and sometimes those things are expensive,” D.C. landscape architect Leslie Gignoux says Additionally, when furniture is out in the elements, nothing is maintenance-free. Powder-coating needs cleaning with mild soap, paint can need repainting and wood can need sanding and staining. But it’s not all bad news when it comes to living en plein air. As homeowners increasingly consider their outdoors as an additional living space, manufacturers are responding with better-quality furniture and a growing selection of materials, fabrics and colors.
To help you sift through all the options, we offer 14 pieces that will be ready to party for years to come. ●For those who really want to create true living spaces outdoors, manufacturers are providing more attractive, more comfortable pieces. Consider Room & Board’s Bryant sofa: deep cushions covered in weather-resistant fabric soften a steel-and-wood frame. Gignoux cautions buyers to pay close attention to the quality of any sofa frame, as one can always replace fabric. ●With outdoor sofas, make sure you check the quality of the materials, says Robert Archer of Archer Modern in Cady’s Alley, who recently helped with the development of Jacobsen Architecture’s new outdoor furniture line, the Jacobsen Collection. “Make sure it’s truly made for the outdoors, and that the manufacturer is using all outdoor materials, including the foam and fabric, stuff that the rainwater is going to go right through.” ●For a small balcony, go with the tried and true: a set of chairs and a bistro table.
“They work well for coffee and breakfast in the morning for two people,” Gignoux says. ●When it comes to teak, Gignoux says that you can’t go wrong with the British companies Barlow Tyrie and Kingsley Bate. “They have lovely, classic lines,” she says. For more teak options, Robert Archer of Archer Modern in Cady’s Alley also recommends the Australian manufacturer Harbour Outdoor and Design Within Reach. ●Add some variety to a deck full of teak and metal with the clay Carilo garden stool. ●The modern-angled Gehry cube (designed by architect Frank Gehry for Heller) would work well on a balcony with a bistro table, chairs, and maybe a planter or two, Benincasa says. “I think it’s cool; it’s fun,” she says. “Anytime you can get color into the outdoors, it adds a little something.” “The aluminum powder-coat is a lot lower-maintenance than teak, as teak will gray over time,” Archer says. ● ●If you’re looking for a spot to unwind after work, Gignoux recommends a simple seat and a place to put your feet, such as West Elm’s teak and all-weather wicker Catskill outdoor chair, with optional matching ottoman.
“I think that the lounge-and-ottoman combination is better than the chaise lounge almost,” Gignoux says. ●Fresh off its debut at New York’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the SR foldable table by Los Angeles’s Scout Regalia is ready to help maximize small outdoor spaces. The 26-inch-by-36-inch table folds up for storage or for hanging on a wall with optional hooks. When hung on the wall, it also operates as a magnetic whiteboard. ).● ●Look beyond the expected furniture sets and don’t be afraid to mix and match. Think hammocks, rocking chairs and benches. “I like finding unusual benches in a corner of a garden,” Gignoux says. ) for a fanciful feel. (Benincasa notes that painted metal furniture won’t last as long as powder-coated metal furniture, but it usually costs less.) ●Terrain’s lattice-back iron chair has a light galvanized zinc finish that ensures it won’t rust when exposed to the elements. As a bonus, it’s weightier than plastic. “We’ve seen people requesting substantial furniture for their rooftops, so it can’t blow away,” Archer says.
●The picnic table has had a long run as the outdoor table du jour. ) is the next best thing. It’s made of acacia, which is somewhat less durable than teak but a good budget alternative. The bench comes in a small or large size and is made of is all-weather rattan over powder-coated aluminum. In the past, Benincasa and Gignoux say they wouldn’t have recommended wicker, but both say that today’s wicker is partially made of manmade materials and therefore lasts longer. ●One way to protect your outdoor furniture and make it last longer is to cover it or bring it indoors during winter. It can even be stocked inside and then brought outside, to lessen any back-and-forth while entertaining. ●Gignoux’s favorite source for outdoor furniture is Janus et Cie in Georgetown. She says that the owners will happily give advice on an outdoor furniture layout and even set up a layout for you to preview before purchase. For a smallish deck, Gignoux says the ideal configuration is a small dining table and two to four chairs plus a pair of lounge chairs and an ottoman, with an occasional table between the chairs.