QUINTESSENTIAL SUMMER
Tag: patio
WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND
Is is too early to start longing for summer?
Exterior Furniture: Janus et Cie
Janus et Cie is one of my favorite sources of exterior furniture.
Creating an outdoor oasis for relaxing with family or entertaining friends is an important way to extend your home’s interior to the exterior. Exterior furniture should be a comfortable reflection of the interior, making it possible to enjoy a seamless transition from the living room to the patio or poolside without sacrificing comfort, luxury, and style.
Janus et Cie is one of my favorite sources of exterior furniture. Many of the pieces are essentially functional sculpture, as substantial as they are beautiful. Others feature a great mix of material, such as resin with teak or elements of stone. I love this kind of mixing! The overall feel is urban and relaxed, not something formal. I am over the moon for the Hopper table — genius, and it’s available in different finishes.
Many of the Janus et Cie pieces are perfect for clients who come to me wanting something simple for the outdoors. Choosing items without cushions allows for less maintenance, and I really like that Janus et Cie has these options without compromising looks or comfort.
With the various thoughtful accessories also available from Janus et Cie, it’s easily possible to create an entire environment. Textiles, planters, and other details add the finishing touch to an exterior that is as carefully curated as any room inside the home.
Outdoor Furniture Options
Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs.
Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs. One important factor to take into consideration is the material the furniture is constructed from. Whether you prefer teak, aluminum, or wicker depends not only on aesthetics, but also how much time and maintenance you plan to invest in caring for your outdoor pieces.
Teak is a beautiful and popular choice. New teak furniture has a lovely honey color and is very durable. It’s also a rather forgiving hardwood, easy to treat for minor scratches and stains. Some homeowners prefer the grayed look of weathered teak as it ages, while others are willing to clean and seal their outdoor teak furniture each year in order to maintain its original color.
Like teak, wicker is a great natural choice for outdoor furniture. You can go with real wicker or, for easier maintenance, a resin designed to look like wicker. Resin is a good option for homeowners looking for easy maintenance or longevity in an area where the weather can be harsh. Either way, the look of wicker has long been a popular choice for outdoor furniture.
Another choice for ease of care is aluminum furniture. With so many color options available for powder coated aluminum, this is a great choice for customizing furniture as well. Outdoor aluminum furniture is also easy to clean without worries of fading, rusting, or wear.
I also like unconventional choices for outdoor furniture, like this hanging lounger from Dedon. In a shady corner of the yard or next to the pool, this lounger is a relaxing environment all to itself!
No matter which furniture choice is best for you, it’s important to protect your investment by properly caring for outdoor pieces. During the winter, outdoor furniture should be safely stored in a shed or garage. Providing this kind of storage space isn’t always a consideration when designing a home or landscape, but it is important to keep in mind. If you don’t have this kind of storage option, many manufacturers sell covers specifically for their exterior pieces. If you buy your own covers, be sure to use a breathable material that won’t trap moisture and lead to mold or mildew. Taking these steps will let you enjoy your ideal outdoor furniture for many years!