We’re glad we asked, because several lines are new to us. Here are their picks. Oh, and we threw in a couple of our own faves, or course. Plus a few from the connoisseurs – top designers to landscapers from Thomas Hamel to Paul Bangay and Myles Baldwin - who know how to curate five-star spaces. You’ll love their outdoor furniture go-tos!
FERMOB
Great inexpensive, compact French aluminium folding bistro chairs inspired by the famous luxemburg Gardens furniture that comes in thousands of shades. Iain Halliday swears by them, saying, “I am obsessed. They’re so simple, which is what garden furniture should be.” www.stylecrafthome.com.au
NORMAL STUDIO FOR MAIORI OUTDOOR
Stay ahead of the pack with this clean-lined chair design by Christophe Pillet used by SJB Architects to great effect for Sydney’s Light Brigade Hotel outdoor area revamp. obodo.com.au
B & B ITALIA 1966 COLLECTION OF RICHARD SCHULTZ
Almost every design great including our very own Iain Halliday lists this as one of their favourite outdoor furniture collections. www.spacefurniture.com.au
JANUS ET CIE
Bigwig design and landscape names like Thomas Hamel, Paul Bangay and Myles Baldwin get their outdoor furniture – including its collections such as Quadratt and Savannah, Slant and Arbour. Top designers come also for Relais, a chi-chic timber design. www.janusetcie.com
COTSWOLD
The big names in design and architecture shop here for smart, strong teak garden staples and smart casual Belgian furniture in woven fibres by Vincent Sheppard. Many are copies of original drawings by renowned architects like Sir Edwin Lutyens and Arne Jacobsen including iconic designs used in the world’s best gardens such as Lutyens and Classic benches. Also timeless tables like Pembroke and Hamptons. Repeat clients include the Historic Houses Trust of NSW, Royal Botanic Gardens, Huka Lodge and Thomas Hamel. Take your garden to the next level. 221 Hume Highway, Mittagong, 1800 677 047, www.cotswoldfurniture.com.au
Cotswolds Furniture at Huka Lodge
Cotswold Furniture at Huka Lodge
EMU
The epitome of the authentic culture of Italian style. Always fine-tuning the concept of design for outdoor living, Emu works closely with elite designers and architects to bring together the best in design and manufacturing methods. Emu’s furniture is characterized by its functionality, durability, and unmistakable style. The latest collections were designed by internationally famous designers. Names such as Arik Levy, Carlo Colombo, Paola Navone, Patricia Urquiola, Jean-Marie Massaud, Christophe Pillet and Rodolfo Dordoni have already created exclusive lines for Emu. www.kezu.com.au
Tibbo Collection at Dedon
MINOTTI
Paul Bruce, head of interiors at Popov Bass thinks one company getting it right is Minotti. “Recently we’ve been using the outdoor range from Minotti. The Cortina outdoor chair is a real winner. The white tubular frame has a Palm Springs vibe. It’s that white tubular frame. Amazing. www.minotti.com
PAOLA LENTI
Popov Bass is also a fan of the Italian designer whose genius use of colour, from drool worthy neutrals to indigos and limes, would look at home anywhere in the world. “We’ve been using the Canvas outdoor sofa range,” says Bruce and we agree, it’s a great looker that would super charge your outdoors. www.paolalenti.it
RODA
Statement-style and strikingly modern high-end Italian outdoor sofas and chairs loved by Simone Haag, Hecker Guthrie, Kennedy Nolan architects, Molecule, Decus, Claire Cousins and Aren’t & Pyke. www.domo.com.au
Melissa’s three faves:
BROWN JORDAN Heavyweight international designers love its timeless elegant metal designs such as Venetian that hark back to Palm Beach 1950s style and we do too. www.brownjordan.com COSH LIVING Offers great designer-look timber tables and chairs for less. coshliving.com.au BUNNINGS Get your outdoor all-weather wicker chairs for less here. www.bunnings.com.au
