Outdoor Patio Furniture Advice

[rubyslippers]

Hello everyone, I am seeking a little bit of advice regarding outdoor patio furniture. As many of you know, my husband and I are living in our first little two bedroom bungalow/cottage at this time. One of the reasons we purchased this home involved the private backyard with two-tiers of decking. It is really cute already - - (there is even a tree growing through the deck) - - there is a little cottage gate on the porch with nice little copper pieces on portions of the deck. The prior owner of the home left behind a couple of really beautiful metal benches. At this time, they do have some rust-spots. I plan to measure and purchase some outdoor cushions for the "short-run". I also plan to prime and paint these as well to preserve them. (I know this is a lot of detail ... but I really need some help.)

Ultimately, when the backyard has been reclaimed (see ivy management thread) I will invest in some adirondack chairs. (I even have a neat little fire-pit thingy-ma-bobber and a functioning water-feature birdbath. Personally, I feel confident enough in my container gardening and shade gardening experiments in my past rental properties that I will be able to attractively accent the space in that regard.

With that said, I need some real advice about outdoor furniture. I want and need to turn these spaces into "rooms" to legitimately extend the square footage of my home. The previous owner left so much stuff that I'm just going to have to remove it all and revisualize the space. I'm not really sure what type of outdoor dining area that I want right now. Okay, that isn't really true. I do know what I would like. I actually like the idea of the traditional circular table, the funky umbrella, the quirky lights under the umbrella, and REALLY comfortable seating. With that said, I am just apalled by the pricing of these sets. So, I was wondering if anyone had broken down and "splurged" on this stuff. Frankly, the couple-of-thousand dollar mark overwhelms me a little bit, BUT if this stuff can really withstand the test of time and outdoor elements - - well, I can save for the "right" thing.

The same goes for the outdoor "living room" type furniture. The treated wicker-looking sets with the truly squashy cushions, etc. actually cost more than my living room. With that said, I have found a lot more success with antique stores, repainting, salvaging, embracing hand-me-downs, etc. when it comes to my living room. I have sort of figured out how to tackle the wannabe pottery barn look with stronger wood, a sense of history, and my personality through the work I have done on my "indoor" furniture. With that said, the outdoor stuff is something I don't know how to do on my own. Before I just splurge on the real deal, I was wondering what successes you all had had with outdoor furniture.

Are there brands I should shy away from?
Is the stuff at my local garden center really overpriced?
I own a couple of outdoor throw-pillows from a retro glider I purchased a year or so ago - - they have held-up nicely - - how do you care for your outdoor furniture?
Is there a line at a super store (like Target) that is exponentially cheaper than the trendy big guys that you feel delivers an appropriate quality of merchandise?

I am incredibly interested in your responses. My yard will take a lot of work. Also, the deck furniture can definitely come in stages. I am okay with saving and waiting. It is just important to me to buy quality pieces that are not "throw-away" items. My actual house is a little too small to entertain more than about eight people comfortably. I am not someone who is comfortable with large soirees at my home; however, the backyard and decking of this home are going to offer an opportunity to host the proverbial Sunday school class bar-b-que, the family Easter dinner, and the true personal enjoyment of casual evening meals for "eating at home" in this economy. Small dinner parties are something I would like to perfect; so, I am willing to make an investment. I just don't want to be suckered by the Restoration Hardware / Pottery Barns of the world unless they have the best products on the market.

Thanks for listening! I look forward to hearing from you all.

Sincerely,

Jenny

[annielinz]

Jenny, I have your basic outdoor table and chairs that I inherited, its a mix match kinda thing, nothing special. We rarely sat out and ate dinner outside. So last year I played around with what I had to see if I wanted more of an extension of the home with a seating area. If I liked it enough, then I would purchase a nice set. Well, it seemed just me and the cat really liked it, so this year I'm not sure. I'm trying out my tried and true and very comfortable adirondack chair. I'm thinking of purchasing another and just have two on the deck with the umbrella behind for some shade. I did purchase an indoor/outdoor rug last year to define the area. I'll post last years pic and what I've come up for this year.

As far as recommendations, outdoor furniture can take a beating with the elements and storage is always a problem for me. I always feel iron furniture can at least be painted whereas wooden furniture and wicker doesn't hold up as well. I have a metal chair that was my moms that is holding up wonderfully, I just keep on painting it.

Heres some pics of the yard
1. last year 2. this year 3. repainted iron chair

[rubyslippers]

I like the idea of the indoor/outdoor rug "defining the space". That is actually pretty fabulous. I also think you did some great things with the throw pillows. The entire area looks really REALLY welcoming! See, I really think that if you splurged on one piece that is just incredibly "comfortable" then you would be set. I think I'm going to go ahead and get started on replacing the pillows on some of these benches in order to define a few spaces. I really like florals as well as the "preppy" stripes so-to-speak. You did a nice job mixing florals and colors. I look forward to seeing what you do this year. Very cool! I love the photos - - they help.

[ChapterTwo]

Annielinz...I knew you didn't live in an area with sometimes cold weather, when I saw your "outdoor room"! I always long for those when I see them on HGTV, but here in the East, there just aren't enough nice weather days to make that a reality. Sigh...Yours is lovely!

[annielinz]

Thank you Chapter Two, we are spoiled out here in Calif. The Santa Clara Valley in particular is probably one of the best growing areas and here I am with little talent when it comes to gardening:rolleyes:. I just got back from the nursery with an empty wallet and very few plants to show for it. Keep your fingers crossed they survive.

I guess that's why I'm trying to make what little yard I have a comfortable oasis. Rubyslippers I will be placing the rug and curtains out once the rainy season is over and I'm still going to be on the lookout for some comfortable seating, but I have to say I really do find my adirondack chairs comfy.

BTW, I would love to see a picture of your decking, please post your progress pics.

[shabbychick]

Annielinz, I love your pictures! The rug and the curtain really make the deck a livingroom. I always just shift things around until it suddenly feels right, and that can change from year to year. If you and the cat like it, I say go for it. The California weather does make it much easier to use a living space outdoors much later into the year. Here in Washington, it's rare for me to be warm enough sitting outside anytime before June or after the first part of September.

For me, the one thing I always wanted to add to a yard was a porch swing. I have no porch to speak of, so I bought a free-standing, three seat swing to put out in my courtyard. It's long enough for me to lie down on and is good for naps in the summer. The seat folds out flat into a little bed, which makes it ever so much easier for the mosquitoes to get to me. :) If I could just figure out a way to make it swing without me having to provide the power, I'd be set for life. You'd never get me back in!

Adirondack chairs are so comfy. I used to have a room mate who had one, and it was a great chair for sitting in the sun. Those big flat arms are perfect for resting a drink on.

All your outdoor furniture and decorations are so cute, you could arrange it all almost any way and it would still look fabulous. I'm impressed!

[rubyslippers]

If you get at least six hours of daylight at any spot in your garden, then you could plant some climbing roses and/or shrub roses along your fencing. That would be absolutely beautiful with the white/floral/red motif you have going with your furniture. You could even plant a knock-out rose in a really really large pot (like a 1/2 whiskey barrel). They sell some containers at Gardener's Supply that are pretty much "brown-thumb" proof to quote you. Plus, roses do best when deeply watered a couple of times a week. I always thought roses were high maintenace; however, unless you want to yank off and/or cut the old flowers off to promote more blooms, then they really like to be left alone. Plus, I bet they would be GORGEOUS in California.

By the way, my sister is in California. We are going to visit this summer. I need to start finding out who lives near her. (I missed Lisa and Deb a couple of summer's ago when I visited my sister-in-law in Oregon. If I can help it, then I don't want that to happen again.)

Take care all - -

Jenny

P.S. Annielinz, where did you find your nice Adirondack chairs? I know that those come in grades of quality as well. I will also get some deck / backyard pictures soon. The area was so beauiful and simultaneously gunky that I just didn't take pictures. Most of the time I have been out there I have been a muddy mess. (Never fear, the front side yard is still ivy COVERED ... you can still get a great idea of the backyard battle; however, I'll get on that quickly before another round of inspired weed-eating.)

[shabbychick]

Jenny, I have to agree with you on the prices of the outdoor furniture. I get catalogs from Improvements and Grandin Road, and the prices just make my jaw drop. I guess for me the question would be, how nice do you really need outdoor furniture to be? Would you be embarrassed to have friends over with a discount-store table, plastic chairs, and a lounge with plastic webbing?

I bought my outdoor table at Fred Meyer. It's just fine. It has a hole for an umbrella I didn't buy, a glass top, and a metal frame that is holding up just fine after several years. Instead of buying expensive chairs, I bought plastic ones and painted them with Fusion spray paint to match the table. My only real splurge was the swing, which I got on sale for just over a hundred dollars at Lowes. If I were going to put money into anything, it would probably be cushions with Sunbrella type fabrics that wouldn't get ruined if I left them outside in an overnight rainstorm. I love the displays in the Grandin Road catalogs (and would love to be able to afford a propane heat lamp to keep me warm if I want to sit outside after dark) but they seem like they're for people with either a lot more friends or a lot more money than I have. I don't think I'd ever sink that much money into any furniture. Now, if it was a whirlpool tub, I might make the sacrifice... :)

This year's big indulgence is going to be mosquito netting for the porch swing so I can eat dinner outside without becoming dinner for the local insects.

[annielinz]

Shabbychick, thank you for the kind words. I love swings,rocking chairs and hammocks there is something so relaxing about them. I would love to find space for one.

Rubyslippers, I have one little sad tree rose and I pretty much ignore it and it lives on in spite of me :) I've just never been a big rose fan, (those darn thorns) and I always get those nasty little aphids. But I do like your idea and have been thinking of trying some white tree roses.

Regarding the chairs, I got those at Cost Plus World Market. Wouldn't say they are the highest quality, but they work. They also come in yummy colors. I have a red one on the front porch.

[rubyslippers]

I hadn't thought about World Market in a while ... that is a GREAT idea ...

as for being embarassed by my deck furniture ... I don't care at all ... I actually am just trying to acknowledge that if all of the furniture is "uncomfy" so-to-speak, then I will not want to spend time out there. We really do need the space in the spring / summer / fall months around here. I think some degree of investment will really increase our quality of life. With that said, most of the furniture overwhelms me price-wise. You guys have GREAT ideas so far. Thanks.

[CohenCottage]

We got our outdoor table and bench/chairs from Ikea last summer and we LOVE them. They are super-comfy even w/o cushions, and they were under 200 for the whole shebang. For the front porch, we have a hand-me-down bamboo table and chairs, and we have 2 free adirondak chairs that we don't know where to put. Be sure to scout out the ikea summer stuff early b/c it goes fast! I saw on the website today that they have a new wicker looking sectional sofa thing that looks great. Will check it out in the store in person tomorrow and let you know for sure...

[annielinz]

Well today I was driving past the thrift store and decided to pop in and found a sturdy outdoor chair. In my mind I was thinking, darn I wish there was another. Well lo and behold I look around and found its pair. They are perfect for the little dinette table I have outside. I will probably paint them either white or paint the table black. I was thinking I'd love to do them in red to go with my red and white theme in the back but I think they'd blend into the brick. I got them both for 20 bucks.
Any suggestions on color?

[ChapterTwo]

They're really cute! White would be nice...or a combo of red/white, perhaps?

I'm jealous of your potted plant...how lovely to live in sunny California!

[shabbychick]

Do you have a third color you use outside? Yellow, maybe, or blue? I could see painting the chairs either of those colors (or white) and then making red and white striped cushions for them. Good find on those chairs!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Jenny,

My brother and sis-in-law have had the same iron outdoor table & chair set since they were married 37 years ago, and it is still in great shape. If you could find some (matching or not) at a garage sale or flea market, you'd really be getting a great deal.

I've heard that a drop cloth from the local hardware store works great for curtains. Is that what you used, annielinz?

Zu

Oh, and annielinz, is that an Oleander bush in your yard? They grow with little care. Agapanthus and Bogonvilla and Wisteria are also low-care.

[cheapdiva]

OMG - I am soooo jealous!!! AnnieL - look at that yard!!! Can I come over to play? Jenny - where are the PICTURES???!!! A tree growing through the deck? C'mon - don't tease us!

My advice on outdoor furniture: buy the best at the end of the season, this requires patience but most places the summer season ends around July 1 - when summer is really just kicking in. if all you can afford is one good piece, buy it. in the meantime look on craig's list or rummage for stuff. AND buy for comfort - most outdoor stuff is uncomfortable.

[annielinz]

Shabbychick, I am thinking a third color and most likely a blue/purple, it'll make the yard look very patriotic :).

Zuzu, yes I just used drop clothes for the curtains, sewed a pocket for the top and they were ready to go. I had left them up this winter and they were filthy with most likely mold and such...me bad. Anyway I took them down threw them in the washer with some bleach and it worked great. As soon as the rain is over I will hang them again.
Also I do have a oleander but its on the back side fence. That vine is a.... gosh I can't think of the name off hand but it,I believe its in the Jazmine family. It stayed green all winter and it is taking over my fence and traveling. I also have agapanthas in the yard and lots of heavenly bamboo/Nandina. I tend to gravatate towards low maintanence plants.:p

Cheapdiva, thanks for the comment on the yard, that's about as good as it gets for me.

[Breezy]

Annie ~ I like the white table and black chairs just the way they are! Your yard is gorgeous ~ how can anyone resist staying out there?:)

[Gigi]

Annie- what a find! I love love love the set of chairs with the table. :D

Rubyslippers- we have three sets of "outdoor" furniture. 1. rattan-really good stuff-has endured the elements of the weather for over 20 years on our front (covered) porch---only the cushions have had to be replaced. 2. Iron- also great stuff- looks brand new as soon as a fresh coat of paint is sprayed on it. 3. Poolside furniture-stone table top, etc... another great find-it's 3 years old and looks like the day we bought it.

I hope this helps---yard sale will be starting and I certainly would keep my eye out for odds and ends that could either be painted or re-covered.

Isn't it fun all these choices for your charming NEW cottage! Fun.

[rubyslippers]

I actually started clicking around on Craig's List the other day looking at all of the fabulous dining room sets people had posted. I was shocked. So, that is a great idea. Gigi, my parents have some furniture they have had forever that is so comfortable; however, I know for a fact they spent a pretty penny for it, but it has lasted FOREVER. Maria, I tend to agree with you that a lot of outdoor furniture is dreadfully uncomfortable. This is the reason I am willing to spend the money. I have no problem getting cute little decorative tables and some chairs here and there; however, I really do want the kind of sink-into-never-want-to-get-out-of-outdoor furniture. If I only buy one piece this year, I would like to find a place that generally repeats similar furniture so that I could add on at my leisure.

As for the backyard pictures ... I need help ... it might involve standing on the roof to show you this tree (which isn't a problem as it is a low roof ... but someone does need to hold the ladder).

Super cute ideas ... spring time seems to have us all planning and busy. I feel really lucky to be in this little house and to have you all to share this with.

Bye!

Jenny

[cheapdiva]

And we are thrilled to be here for you (and each other!)

[chyna]

I don't know how durable it is but KMart carries outdoor furniture by Martha Stewart. I would think that since it has Martha's name on it then it better be pretty good quality for the money and not some cheap crap that will croak in a few years. Don't believe it is expensive or as pricey as the big box stores either.

Don't you have some of those metal shell chairs? :confused: Swore it was you who was talking about it last year or year before last. There was some sort of how-to thing in Family Handyman last year on how to build andirondic chairs maybe take a peek on their site and see if the plans are still there. Or for that matter you could just see what kind of outdoor furniture plans they have. Maybe one of those flower boxes with the benches around it would be answer to some of your problems. :)

[rubyslippers]

Hey Chyna,

I have a light blue retro shell glider. It is pretty quirky. Plus, I have some rather rusty iron garden benches (that I feel confident were at one time VERY expensive) that were left behind at our new home. They are beautiful, but they will require some work.

I just want some comfy squashy outdoor stuff. Thanks to your advice I have investigated a few things. Craig's List has a lot of choices. The postings this week are not perfect for me; HOWEVER, I am inspired. I also visited my local "expensive" garden center to actual sit on some things (comfy-test), price items, and wrap my name around brands. (This way, I can size up the stuff at Lowe's, Target, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart compared to the super nice stuff.) On top of this, I also spent some time on the World Market and Ikea websites. For the time being, my money is in my pockets.

I literally have something ridiculous like 600 to 800 additional square feet of decking. I need to "build" "create" "establish" very literal outdoor rooms out here. So, yes, I have enough stuff for my old front porch and my little apartment screened-in-porch; however, this is a blank canvas. So, I think above and beyond furniture, I need to start thinking like it is a room. What "anchors" do I want to use. Will the colors be the same? Different? Will I use container plantings? Should I paint the railing with a contrast color?

You all will need pictures to really help with this, so I'll get to work on that.

Thanks guys ...

[Seattle Cottage Lover]

I really like Plow & Hearth. They are having a sale too! Here is their link:

http://www.plowhearth.com/welcome.asp