1.6.09

25 Top Patio Chairs

Why is well designed outdoor furniture so hard to come by????????? Everywhere I look I am visually assaulted by poorly designed and equally stinky, (as in smell) off-gassing furniture manufactured in China. I have through diligent searching found some truly amazing, beautiful to look at, and environmentally friendly outdoor furniture that is not manufactured in China. FYI Knoll practices Sustainable Design. All Knoll Space seating is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® for low-emitting products. First the UGLY........

0080659970375_150X150 0080659908726_500X500 image

Okay that's enough of that, now for the sublime...................

image

These chairs are so beautiful and sculptural and are appropriately call "The Clover Chair"

knoll bertoria chair & paper clip table

A truly classic and timeless design by Knoll - the Bertoria Chair and the appropriately named Paperclip Table

bertoria chair I am partial to the Bertoria chair in white powder coated finish with a white vinyl chair pad. It also works equally well indoors.

one cafe phillipe starcki This is a design by the prolific Philippe Starck called One Cafe

The One Cafe also comes in black/ivory and a bar stool is available with slip cover options in white cotton.

dr no chair phillipe starck for kartell

Another design by Philippe Starck called Dr No by Kartell is stackable. The Dr Na aluminum table is practical, simple and a perfect companion piece.

lord yo chair

The Lord Yo Chair (above) designed by Philippe Starck, is a take-off on the classic Lloyd Loom chair. I like the cotton slipcover. They also come with Leather Slipcovers so you can take them indoors in the winter for an attractive addition to your kitchen or dining room.

Knoll Noguchi Cyclone Table kissi-kissi table driade designer miki astoria driade one cafe table by philippe starck

Knoll Noguchi Cyclone Table Kissi-Kissi Table One Cafe Table

bo chair miss lacy by philippe starck toy chair phillipe starck

Bo Chair Miss Lacy Chair Toy Chair

Now for a few divine settings to get you in the mood for those lazy, hazy days of summer

Patio Furniture Deluxe martha stewart living gasl outdoor rooms Mary McGee House Beautiful gramercy park hotel Michael Taylor kettal spain kettal spain kettal spain kettal spain kettal spain Tobi Tobin Veranda cecconi simone achchitectural digest

Sigh

What makes a perfect outdoor setting for you? Please leave a comment and let me know.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you. © Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

87 comments:

  1. The clover chair is a great find.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous25/4/08

    It IS so hard to find good-looking patio furniture! Is it so hard to manufacture wrought iron Chinese chippendale furniture? Apparently so. And the cast aluminum,please.
    Even that is outrageously expensive!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those clover chairs are wonderful!
    -Lana

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love all of the Knoll products!! It is quite the breath of fresh air!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous26/4/08

    The ugly is truly ugly! The outdoor settings are to die for! Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous26/4/08

    I’m with you on the Bertoia chair and Miss Lacy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous27/4/08

    sumblime is right. I love those clover chairs too. gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I want to lounge on the swinging daybed- Such a great outdoor space!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great post for outdoor living! My absolute favorite is the hanging daybed. Wow! I'd love to have one of those.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous, makes me want to run out side and re-do my patio.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you! Perfect timing. I need backyard inspiration and this is sooo helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That was a fantastic post! Great pictures and explanations. I am kind of partial to the Knoll chairs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous27/5/08

    Hi, your blog is creative, Keep up the great work. Those chair designs are really unique.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What inspiration...and loved the other post on gardens designs. For truly amazing/wonderful/gaga outdoor furniture, try janus et cie. I die over their stuff and use it in installation after installation, always with fab results.

    One of my best friends works at Knoll so I am at their Santa Monica CA showroom (and occassionally Paris) a lot...not my personal style but I so appreciate their aesthetic. And such QUALITY!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1/6/09

    Phillippe Starck's Bubble Club Sofa + Armchairs should be added for an ideal setting

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the genius Philipp Starck, his pieces are amazing.
    But I also love old french outdoor furniture, you know, the classic bistro look, my heart pulls me in those two directions, very cool modern or truly retro.
    It all depends on the setting, the garden, the house...
    It needs to be comfortable and easy to care for, good quality and not too expensive, that sums it up for me!

    ReplyDelete
  17. The antique wrought iron style furnitue is usually all that appeals to me, but I like the Knoll "Toy" chairs you featured and could see those paired with a rustic or antique zinc table. Visiting your blog is always an eye-opening experience! Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the Bertoia chairs...so timeless and airy for small spaces, I love the great Dedon pieces also!!!

    Jillian

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think the Bertoria chairs are classic & come to think of it...that looks like my Aunt Martha Lee's patio in Paradise Valley, Az. Hmmm.
    Ok my truly favorite outdoor setting is simple...77 degrees, 50 % humidity, a slight breeze, no lawn mowers or small children, great conversation & great cocktails!
    If i have all of that...i'm happy to sit my ass in the grass!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous1/6/09

    Hi,

    We have just added your latest post "Patio Furniture Deluxe" to our Directory of Furniture .You can check the inclusion of the post here . We are delighted to invite you to submit all your future posts to the directory for getting a huge base of visitors to your website and gaining a valuable backlink to your site.


    Warm Regards

    furniturechoice.info Team

    http://www.furniturechoice.info

    ReplyDelete
  21. That's funny I was just thinking about writing an outdoor post on umbrellas. My sister a few years ago bought one of the hideous sets without consulting me. . . she's sorry now.

    Love this post with all the beautiful and tasteful furniture!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love you blog! What makes an outdoor setting shine for me... It has to comfortable. Have a place to retreat to as well as entertain. I love a daybed you can read a book on. A wonderful table and chairs to have guest around, some sort of outdoor heating element for the evening. I love the fire pits! And if you don't have have a view, then you need a lovely focal point in the garden or on the veranda. Candles, lots of them.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Philippe Starck is a genius and I love the kissi-kissi. I would be quite content in any of those outdoor spaces. beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  24. So funny, as I was disturbed by the initial images and then realized you had labeled them "the bad", lol. And bad they are!

    Onto the good, absolutely love the clover chair, so sexy, love, love, love! And of course the classic Bertoia and soon to be classic, anything by Mr. Stark. I also love the Ikea rocking chair, have that in a file to blog on later this week;) The dock setting with the umbrella and lanterns is fabulous as well and one can never go wrong with a classic Klimos, again, it has really sexy lines, always great! Thanks for the gorgeous selections.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous2/6/09

    Oh you had me at the Clover chair...unforgettable for sure. (And you are so right...there is such a dramatic difference between quality and ugly!)

    Tricia - Avolli

    ReplyDelete
  26. Patricia,

    When you are a visionary you will always be ahead of the normal flow of things. That's why you can't find what you need. Upon searching sometimes or later you find something that will work.

    Now that you have exposed your discovery more suitable outdoor furniture will appear. Magical isn't it? Just like a great designer.

    Bette

    ReplyDelete
  27. The bo chair is quite lovely. And that umbrella on the dock looks like a party I want to be invited to.

    Thanks for such a timely and delicious post Patricia! I have been living outside the last 2 weeks, and loving it :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love my patio in the back with pots of flowers etc. BUT the one thing I do not have that would make it all perfect is a water view. I would love to sit in the evening with a glass of wine with my husband looking at the water [ river, ocean lake, whatever] and the boats traveling on it. That would be Heaven!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like the way you design these stuffs, great blog, keep up the good work...

    ReplyDelete
  30. * I've searched SOOO many places for "MY" version of fabulous outdoor furniture....

    FORTUNATELY, I D*I*D find some...

    UNFORTUNATELY, it costs an arm, TWO legs, an ear AND one's FIRST BORN!!!! DANG IT ALL!!!

    Best,
    Linda in AZ *

    ReplyDelete
  31. My favorite time of the year, lounging in the outdoor living space.My idea of a perfect outdoor space..water, green, scents of lavender, damask roses,rosemary, simple beautiful furniture. I also love the outdoor collection by Paola Lenti, very contemporary, colourful, great design

    ReplyDelete
  32. Where can I get a purple patio umbrella?!? Love it!!

    You've posted some great pieces and wonderful outdoor spaces. I love the table set up on the dock. That would probably be my perfect outdoor setting, sitting at a table right by the water.

    The clover chairs are awesome!! I also really like the Miss Lacy chair. I actually just came across a painting of that chair yesterday, and thought it looked so intriguing and pretty.

    Unfortunately, hubby isn't willing to invest much money in patio furniture. So I have to do my best with Canadian Tire & The Bay finds :-)

    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  33. I LOVE those clover chairs and the One Cafe set by Starck! I want them both! I never really thought about patio furniture much and it's off-gassing. But, interestingly enough, I just found out that IKEA has a pretty wonderful policy about no or low VOC's. I don't shop there much, but a client wanted to check a few things out there. Having my first ever contest.... stop over!

    ReplyDelete
  34. super images!

    barcelona chairs on a terrace...
    not too shabby eh ?

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sigh is right. That was gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Awesome outdoor furniture shown in your post. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching these images.

    Especially Knoll furniture & Bertoria Chair

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love the clover set what a find, but those first few talk about being ugly you couldn't be more right. I love patio stuff its like taking the indoors out doors

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ricky5/6/09

    I appreciate the labour you have put in developing this blog. Nice and informative.

    ReplyDelete
  39. hey Patricia , enjoying canadian summer like a glass of water in the desert ? ;-)
    the arabic modern architecture are a blast ,,, would like to see more if you have more pics of them ,,,,
    have a nice day !! \Zelda

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great selections Patricita. Also Patricia Urquiola has the most beautiful exterior furniture as well - I Love the scale of her pieces and I also found some cool plastic furniture from Germany check the links

    http://meadedesigngroup.blogspot.com/search/label/Patricia%20Urquiola

    http://meadedesigngroup.blogspot.com/search/label/Barcelona%20Chair

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wonderful post Patricia - I absolutely adore those clover chairs, they are just fabulous...actually I would be pleased with most of those furnishings. Pretty images too....xv

    ReplyDelete
  42. Good heavens, you are savior for all backyard owners! How absolutely wonderful. You would be very proud of the furniture and architectural elements that are included in New York's latest park, located on an elevated train track. Just wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love Miss Lacy chair and also the Clover chair. Really original and avant-garde.

    ReplyDelete
  44. WOW, the Clover Chair is gorgeous - a real work of art! As I enjoyed the rest of the outdoor furniture, I did wonder why it's so difficult to find great looking patio chairs that fold...

    ReplyDelete
  45. These are truly beautiful patio sets, however I find myself buying the ugly sets due to the fact that they are the only ones that withstand the Arizona summers. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  46. My biggest struggle is finding outdoor pieces that not everyone and their mother owns.

    Dedon's woven style was great but is ubiquitous now. I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for new looks...

    ReplyDelete
  47. Nadine9/6/09

    You have a nice post.. I like the third post of a chair. It is a good design of chair for a simple but elegant restaurant

    ReplyDelete
  48. Really love those clover chairs. But after some cocktails on a nice summer night, something to recline in would be a good thing. Love even more the white Barcelona chairs. Then add the fire pit.

    ReplyDelete
  49. kitchen10/6/09

    All designs are very unique and very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I am in search of just the right furniture for my deck. I am like most however, my taste far outweighs my budget. You have shown some lovelies!
    Blessings...

    ReplyDelete
  51. I feel like I have just gone on a vacation looking at these great pictures Patricia! Thank you...best wishes
    Marta

    ReplyDelete
  52. Oh Patricia they are all beautiful especially the fifth from the bottom, it is absolutely divine. That is the patio I dream about.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Allana12/6/09

    I love the picture of the clover chairs! They are so sweet and I could completely see them in a little garden or beach front.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Oh, that clover chair is beautiful!

    I had my deck redone in the spring, and still have not ordered furniture because nothing has really been quite right (on top of the fact that my 21 year old built in fridge and oven died, and I had to replace them - that seemed to be a more important expenditure than outdoor furniture!). My sister keeps telling me what a pain teak furniture is...so I am not sure what I will do.

    I saw a home recently that had the most gorgeous, streamlined outdoor furniture - made by Dedar for Janus et Cie. It was really gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Sorry, that is supposed to say Dedon by Janus et Cie!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Love your work. Great inspiration.

    cristin
    http://simplifiedbee.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  57. well said! (and shown...)

    ReplyDelete
  58. What makes a perfect outdoor setting for me...hm...

    Plants are a must. Especially nowadays, the green just relaxes the mind. Wooden decks, and lounge chairs, maybe a garden

    ReplyDelete
  59. Ooooh I soooo NEED some NEW patio furniture!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I loved all the gardens and their designs. I especially liked the introduction to new and amazing patio furniture. The clover chair is to die for!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. What a beautiful post Patricia. I just saw it since your link on our blog is not updating !!
    Beautiful settings and furniture. My Ideal outdoor area would be under my Bauhinia tree.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Most of my outdoor furniture is Thai Teak meant to be indoors. I love bringing the indoors out and outdoors in.

    ReplyDelete
  63. FAB patios... I would glad sit in any of these areas... I'll even bring the wine!
    How are you? Fine I hope!
    ENJOY!
    Fifi

    ReplyDelete
  64. Love the purple outside and umbrella

    ReplyDelete
  65. What an awesome selection of beautiful patio furniture. I would like to have some of them.

    ReplyDelete
  66. I love the clover chair. It really is sculptural, so creative. I love seeing what people can create with their mind and seeing it in actual form, it's so inspiring! I'm glad to have discovered your blog as I think you do great real reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Jenni29/7/09

    I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Jenni

    ReplyDelete
  68. I do like the ones onthe patio by the fire! Wonder how they stand up to rain or do they need to be taken in?

    ReplyDelete
  69. Great pics! It's pretty obvious how the designs are derived from European styles given the homely and rustic appeal of the furniture position vis-a-vis the location. Also, the designs embrace the sun and its warmth, which help in projecting the feel of summer. Nonetheless, these pics will certainly give people with interior decorating ideas for their homes.

    ReplyDelete
  70. The sublime images are definitely sublime. Make me want to sit out on my back patio with a good book today!

    ReplyDelete
  71. really like those chairs, got some similar but not as cool and contemporary as them,

    ReplyDelete
  72. thats really cool and attractive kind of Creative chairs :) keep it up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  73. I love all of the Knoll products!! It is quite the breath of fresh air!!!!

    outdoor living furniture

    ReplyDelete
  74. Those chairs are so cool! They are so cool and attractive.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Beautiful Teak patio furniture. More i like the first one. Thanks for sharing this nice blog and keep blogging

    ReplyDelete
  76. Really it is so hard to find good-looking patio furniture. The clover chairs are awesome and these are truly beautiful patio sets. I love seeing what people can create with their mind and seeing it in actual form, it's so inspiring. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  77. Michelle18/5/11

    Wow, what a great selection of furniture. I love French furniture, especially the French country style. I love the metal set you have pictured with the white cushions and blue glasses. I would love that in my garden. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  78. The Clover Chairs win hands down for me. Very clean design. Feels like they'll look good on most patios. As for the perfect outdoor setting for me that would be the one with the white lounges with the moss green throw pillows. White seems to get me all the time. Then again, I worry them being ruined by the elements so I always opt to put them under a patio cover. I'm weird.

    I did find the purple-themed setting interesting, particularly that large purple garden/patio umbrella.

    ReplyDelete
  79. The designs embrace the sun and its warmth, which help in projecting the feel of summer.My Ideal outdoor area would lawn in summer.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Hi patrica you have some great patio ideas on this blog and the patio furniture is great

    ReplyDelete
  81. Love all the patio furniture, the toy chair and Kissi-Kissi Table look amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Oh my, I want any of them...great list. Really LOVE the clover chairs!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Love the garden patios. I like most of them but I really like the first pictures after the chairs. Are they cactus plants? The design looks very tropics to me and I love seeing green colors.

    Great Job!

    Helena Kyle
    Patios Perth

    ReplyDelete
  84. Love all he patio furniture..Really love the clover chairs!

    ReplyDelete
  85. I did find the purple-themed setting interesting, particularly that large purple garden/patio umbrella.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Ben Harison2/5/14

    This article is the Awesome and perfect way to describe furniture products. The clarity in your post is excellent about designer outdoor furniture and i assume that you’re an expert on this subject.

    ReplyDelete

Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

I love to hear your comments and welcome your thoughts and feedback. Please use the comment form as a discussion format pertaining to the topic at hand.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...