THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Make your backyard a stylish extension of your house with these hot summer styles for patios and decks. We’ve got to make the most out of Canada’s warm-weather months, writes Iris Benaroia.
When the weather warms up, a magical thing happens: Our homes gain square footage. The yard that sat unloved through winter gets a good spring scrubbing.
Out goes last year’s garden detritus — the withered shrub that didn’t survive the winter, the shabby patio set that looks plain sad. In goes a refreshing round of furniture to match the round of drinks you can finally enjoy outdoors. This year will be different! I will care for this set!
Here are seven setups to create a stylish outdoor room to rival the ones indoors.
POOL PLAY
Chic in black and white, this spunky setup — with iconic midcentury-modern splayed wood feet — puts utilitarian plastic chairs to shame. Co-ordinating accessories take it over the top.
Three-piece Outdoor Midcentury Conversation Set, $400; picnic blanket with waterproof backing, $25; assorted plants and planters, $30-$50. HomeSense, homesense.ca.
LOUNGE IN LUXURY
A streamlined sofa crafted out of sustainable teak cuts a fine figure when you need an expansive set to fill the terrace. Switch up the linen weave to suit your needs. The linear concrete fireplace, available in natural gas or propane, makes an architectural statement.
Aviara Collection in Weathered Teak, Designed by Barlas Baylar. Sofa, starting at US$3,095; lounge chair, US$1,695; Toluca Fire Table Black Sand, starting at US$2,695. Sunbrella African Mud Cloth Outdoor Pillow Cover, from US$159. Restoration Hardware, RH.com (can be shipped to Canada).
FRENCH CONNECTION
Oui! Stripes are so friendly. Strapped in Sunbrella fabric and cotton designed by Artiga in France, these sassy Europeanstyle deck chairs sport striking colours for a modern alternative to the Muskoka chair. Available in a variety of frame and fabric choices. Maison-Basque Deck Chair, $198 to $288. MaisonBasque, maison-basque.com.
A SPIFFY AL FRESCO FIND
Defy the misnomer that bistro sets have to be dead boring with this dapper duo. Made of all-season wicker woven into a fetching black-and-white diamond pattern, add a gleaming gold table for bling.
Brava Dining Lounge grey wicker chair, $407 each (regularly $479); Watermark Brass Bistro Table, $339 (regularly $399); CB2, cb2.com.
THE COMFORT QUOTIENT
Old-fashioned charm comes home to roost with this fourpiece that features deep plush olefin cushions to sink into for ultimate comfort. One lucky person gets to score the rocker.
Hampton Bay Spring Haven All-Weather Wicker Patio Set, $1,149. Home Depot, homedepot. ca.
MINIMALIST BEAUTY
Cape — EQ3’s first outdoor collection — has a clean silhouette for unfussy types. Composed of a light, yet resilient, aluminum frame and tempered glass, the tasteful table is much nicer than those wooden picnic benches that cause splinters. Cape Outdoor Dining Table, $799; Cape Chair, $299, each. EQ3, eq3.com.
CONTEMPORARY CHILL-OUT
Discerning tastes will take to Gloster’s Grid Collection, a flexible modular seating system where you can combine pieces at whim. Available in various fabrics. Side it with Gloster’s teak tables. Grid Gloster Collection, prices available upon request. Fresh Home & Garden, fresh.ca.