In the last segment we ran through a variety of options for planning your outdoor spread, highlighting furniture pieces made by some of the top manufacturers in the world. We also discussed materials and guiding principles utilized in the production of these thoughtful, well-made products.

For this next installment, we’ll showcase a few more options  — including supplemental tables, durable fabrics and fun accessories — to round out the entire project.  

(Hint: If you really want your deck or patio to stand out, this is where we discuss the cool stuff.)

 

[Photograph © Janus et Cie 2016.]

Chaise Lounge. We should have included this in part one, but ran out of time (or perhaps forgot!). Anyway, we now have a chance to give this item it’s own special due. We know how near & dear these are to the sunbathers out there!

Let’s face it, chaise lounges are always calling, beckoning you to come chill by the poolside.  It’s pretty much impossible not to sit down or lean back on one.  Some are retro-cool with features that hearken back to the 60’s era, while others are more elegant with updated contemporary styling. Either way, these are outdoor staples sure to be one of your most used & enjoyed items.

[Photograph © Lexington 2016.] 

Café Tables.

Do you cherish that intimate outside setting for you and a friend to sip iced tea over lunch, or begin the day having breakfast & coffee with your significant other? Look no further than the legendary Café table (and chairs). This one is self-explanatory, but there are a couple things to keep in mind…

The cheaper versions are often narrow and less than sturdy, while the well-made ones will ensure you are comfortable for the duration of your meal and conversation afterwards, at the very least. Play it safe & smart. No chair collapses or table tumbles on our watch, please. (We hate the awkwardness of checking to make sure the other person’s okay, but really wanting to laugh instead!)

 

[Photograph © Gloster 2016.]

Other Tables (besides coffee, cafe’ & side tables)

This is where you can really start making some headway by both adding to your basic spread, and having everything conveniently at your fingertips when it comes time for entertaining.

Save yourself the hustle of running inside to refresh drinks by having a beverage cart within arm’s reach. We think this is a no brainer! Right?! Serving food? Get yourself a handsome and practical buffet or serving table that will leave all of your other surfaces free & clear for their intended use. Utilize the secondary shelf below to stow extra servingware; and this also makes a nice out-of-the-way spot for your bluetooth speaker.

[Photograph © Tucci 2016.]

The Cozy Elements.

Nice afternoon hammock nap anyone? Just like the aforementioned chaise lounge — you know you want to! Whether standing or strung between two trees, nothing allows for more peaceful relaxation and tuning-out, while simultaneously tuning-in to the sweet sounds and gentle rhythms of nature. Single or multiple person sizes available, depending on if you want to share or not!

 Once you have all of the major & minor bones in place, you’ll perhaps want to finish with accessories that tie it all together and really make it feel like home. This is where area rugs truly shine and import “that indoor feeling” to a place outside of those 4 walls. Several of the product lines we carry, including those from Perennials, have captured the best-of-both-worlds in their look, feel and functionality. When considering these items as investments (as you should), and factoring-in longevity, read this quote from Perennials product catalog:

 “(Their) selection of made-to-order luxury performance rugs (are) specifically designed to resist mildew and fading while keeping a luxurious feeling underfoot. Perennials rugs are made of 100% solution-dyed acrylic yarns, meaning they are as durable as they are beautiful.” There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth.

[Photograph © Brown Jordan.]

Fire pits… lanterns… planter boxes?

Suffice to say, you can put as little or as much thought and expense into your outdoor area as you so desire. We provide you with product lines & options (as many as humanly possible), and offer help with decisions and design… the rest is up to you!

And lastly… FABRICS!!! 

To preference (if you weren’t aware), most furniture manufacturers have their own lines of fabrics nowadays. These are going to be your most cost-effective options and also what the company thinks will pair best with their designs. We usually start here first, and browse what they have to offer; if there is something different or more particular you require, we have a plethora of available options past that. What we’re trying to say is… no matter what, we’ve got your cushions covered.

One of, if not the first, names in indoor/outdoor fabric that pops in everyone’s mind is Sunbrella. Let us inform you that we have personally experimented ourselves with the durability and “cleanup-ability” of Sunbrella fabrics, and it amazes us how something can be so soft & tough at the same time. We give it our seal-of-approval for following thru on their performance promises. In fact, Sunbrella is “the #1 trusted name in marine fabric”, so they certainly have the chops in the outdoor arena. And with thousands of choices, you can’t go wrong there.

Not to be outdone, all of our fabric lines have indoor/outdoor options that are both tough and beautiful.  Notables names include: Thibaut, Décor de Paris, Scalamandre, and Kravet Soleil.

One of our faves is Bella-Dura, who have “developed (a) response to the industry’s demand for an upholstery fabric that literally outperforms (on all levels)”. They’re an impressive company who has won multiple ‘Best of Year’ awards from Interior Design magazine. To catch a glimpse of their products in action, click here

Thanks for reading our two-part blog on outdoor settings. When it comes to decorating your home, we strive to give you the best products available, made by companies who love what they do, to make sure you are completely satisfied (hopefully thrilled!) with your design project!

To browse more available options online, check out the Outdoor Settings board on our Pinterest page.

See you soon,

D&D