My backyard furniture

[thyme4change]

5 years ago we did our backyard.  We ended up keeping our old table and chairs (which was $99 from K-Mart almost 20 years ago) and we bought cheap barstools because we had totally run out of steam.  Now the barstools look like crap, and one of the chairs for our old table is broken.  The table really looks like crap too.  I would really like to get something high quality out there.  We use the backyard a lot.

So, here is my dilemma: When we did the backyard we bought this set.  I love it, it looks near-new.  Super comfy.

minson.com/mallin/collections/albany-cushion/

I feel like my sense of style is failing.  I think the current style is to be a little more eclectic, but I feel like when I try that I just look mismatched.  But, everything I look at that matches our couch set looks super 90's, and I am afraid I will look old-lady.

My bar is counter-height and made of concrete.  Counter height stools have been hard to find.  And I want to make sure I have a plan for the table, chairs and stools that won't look like I have just picked random pieces.  Ideally the table would seat 6.  We lounge around at the table, so I would like those to be comfy (no benches or those hard metal chairs that seem to be everywhere.)  The stools are used mostly for just eating, but it would be nice if they have a back.  I don't care if they have a cushion (in fact, it would be great if they didn't as every year I have had to buy new ones.) 

My budget is generous.  So, pick out a table, chairs and stools for me.

[swamp]

I have no sense of style but id be willing to go shopping with you. 

[Bonny]

Your set is so neutral you could do almost anything.

Do you want to punch up the color a bit? Pier One has some fun pieces.

Costco also has some good quality if limited options. Also don't overlook Target. Sometimes they have some good buys.

One of the best pieces of outdoor furniture we bought was from this place:

www.thefurnitureranch.com/about-us/

We bought an outdoor sofa that they built our of wrought iron and sunbrella fabric. That poor piece of furniture spent 6 years in AZ sun, 3 years in Germany snow and ice  and now nearly three years in Coastal salt air. The powder coating is coming off but I'll take a wire brush to it and my can of black Rustoleum paint this summer and it will look great. Fabric still looks pretty good despite having to battle the German moss!

ETA: I've also had some fun with restyling consignment pieces. If you do make up to the Cave Creek/Carefree area it's worth it to take a look at the Lazy Lizard and the Kiwani's resale store (it's got very limited hours so check ahead).

[ponomo]

www.costco.com/Portofino-Airlift-Barstool-2-pk-.product.100100198.html#BVRRWidgetID


I just got the Costco add with these barstools in it, love that they are on the smaller side, my space is not very big! Still searching for a narrow outdoor sofa, everything I find is "deep seating", trying not to crowd my not so big deck.....

[Lizard Queen]

I'm not sure what of the 2 color schemes that your set is?  You want to try to match some element from that, so the color of the metal piece, the shape of the metal pieces, the shape/color/pattern of the cushions.  


ETA:  I found this during a quick search:  www.artvan.com/Furniture/Store/Product_Seville-7-piece-Dining-Set_10051_10052_-1_550004241_40002_40000?N=129



Not sure if this is hot/cold?

[thyme4change]

I like both the dining set and the barstools - but will it be weird to have a big cushy couch, big cushy dining chairs and sleek, simple stools?  

[ponomo]

I'm looking for a big cushy couch to go with the sleek barstools, I'm not a fan of all matchy, matchy.  I like contrast.

[thyme4change]

Apr 25, 2015 20:24:40 GMT -5 ponomo said:

I'm looking for a big cushy couch to go with the sleek barstools, I'm not a fan of all matchy, matchy.  I like contrast.

I think I would feel more comfortable if it was just two different areas.  But when there are 3 areas, if two of them match, doesn't the third one just look forgotten?  

[Lizard Queen]

Maybe a dining set with just a bottom cushion and not a back cushion?  Do you like the sling type of chairs? They aren't the most comfortable, IMO, but might help with the transition, if you have the same color scheme as the old stuff.

[thyme4change]

Apr 25, 2015 20:39:11 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Maybe a dining set with just a bottom cushion and not a back cushion?  Do you like the sling type of chairs? They aren't the most comfortable, IMO, but might help with the transition, if you have the same color scheme as the old stuff.

I was also thinking just a bottom cushion and a back that isn't cushioned.

Kind of like this:

www.atgstores.com/outdoor-dining-sets/home-styles-5601-36802-stone-harbor-dining-set_g1203767.html?ProductSlot=37

And then I cold get the wicker stools and it would sort of flow?  Or it would look like I was trying to match it and didn't.  I can't tell which.  

I could just go crazy and get these bar stools.  They will match nothing - but that would be different!


www.atgstores.com/patio-bar-stools/compamia-isp067-air-counter-stool-set-of-2_g2424890.html?ProductSlot=15

[mmhmm]

Have you looked on Wayfair? They've usually got a really good collection of things to look at.

[thyme4change]

I have looked on Wayfair - and everywhere else on the internet.  There are plenty of options - I just can't figure out which ones will look right together.

[CCL]

Apr 25, 2015 21:29:39 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Apr 25, 2015 20:39:11 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Maybe a dining set with just a bottom cushion and not a back cushion?  Do you like the sling type of chairs? They aren't the most comfortable, IMO, but might help with the transition, if you have the same color scheme as the old stuff.

I was also thinking just a bottom cushion and a back that isn't cushioned.

Kind of like this:

www.atgstores.com/outdoor-dining-sets/home-styles-5601-36802-stone-harbor-dining-set_g1203767.html?ProductSlot=37

And then I cold get the wicker stools and it would sort of flow?  Or it would look like I was trying to match it and didn't.  I can't tell which.  

I could just go crazy and get these bar stools.  They will match nothing - but that would be different!


www.atgstores.com/patio-bar-stools/compamia-isp067-air-counter-stool-set-of-2_g2424890.html?ProductSlot=15

I like that slate table. Maybe those colors would help pull everything together?

[CCL]

Apr 25, 2015 20:09:11 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

I'm not sure what of the 2 color schemes that your set is?  You want to try to match some element from that, so the color of the metal piece, the shape of the metal pieces, the shape/color/pattern of the cushions.  


ETA:  I found this during a quick search:  www.artvan.com/Furniture/Store/Product_Seville-7-piece-Dining-Set_10051_10052_-1_550004241_40002_40000?N=129



Not sure if this is hot/cold?

Yeah and that Art Van place is givin out free TVs too.

[Lizard Queen]

Apr 25, 2015 21:29:39 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Apr 25, 2015 20:39:11 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Maybe a dining set with just a bottom cushion and not a back cushion?  Do you like the sling type of chairs? They aren't the most comfortable, IMO, but might help with the transition, if you have the same color scheme as the old stuff.

I was also thinking just a bottom cushion and a back that isn't cushioned.

Kind of like this:

www.atgstores.com/outdoor-dining-sets/home-styles-5601-36802-stone-harbor-dining-set_g1203767.html?ProductSlot=37

And then I cold get the wicker stools and it would sort of flow?  Or it would look like I was trying to match it and didn't.  I can't tell which.  

I could just go crazy and get these bar stools.  They will match nothing - but that would be different!


www.atgstores.com/patio-bar-stools/compamia-isp067-air-counter-stool-set-of-2_g2424890.html?ProductSlot=15

That might work.  I wish the table and chairs were just a tad more similar to your old stuff, but you definitely have the right idea with working in the wicker.  You just have some difficult pieces to work with.

Those bar stools are cool! (But good luck with making them work. )

[Lizard Queen]

Apr 25, 2015 23:36:52 GMT -5 CCL said:

Apr 25, 2015 20:09:11 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

I'm not sure what of the 2 color schemes that your set is?  You want to try to match some element from that, so the color of the metal piece, the shape of the metal pieces, the shape/color/pattern of the cushions.  


ETA:  I found this during a quick search:  www.artvan.com/Furniture/Store/Product_Seville-7-piece-Dining-Set_10051_10052_-1_550004241_40002_40000?N=129



Not sure if this is hot/cold?

Yeah and that Art Van place is givin out free TVs too.

Yeah, that Art Van place isn't my favorite place to shop, for several reasons.  They just had a recent ad out that had some outdoor stuff that looked nice.

[thyme4change]

If I were to error on having one "set" drastically different, having the couch and chairs be different from the two eating areas would make sense to me.  The table and the bar are right next to each other, and used for the same purpose.  The couch area is a little bit off to the side, and used to lounge around.  But I don't know how to make the bar & dining area look cohesive.  

[Bonny]

Apr 25, 2015 21:29:39 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Apr 25, 2015 20:39:11 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Maybe a dining set with just a bottom cushion and not a back cushion?  Do you like the sling type of chairs? They aren't the most comfortable, IMO, but might help with the transition, if you have the same color scheme as the old stuff.

I was also thinking just a bottom cushion and a back that isn't cushioned.

Kind of like this:

www.atgstores.com/outdoor-dining-sets/home-styles-5601-36802-stone-harbor-dining-set_g1203767.html?ProductSlot=37

And then I cold get the wicker stools and it would sort of flow?  Or it would look like I was trying to match it and didn't.  I can't tell which.  

I could just go crazy and get these bar stools.  They will match nothing - but that would be different!


www.atgstores.com/patio-bar-stools/compamia-isp067-air-counter-stool-set-of-2_g2424890.html?ProductSlot=15

I like the dining table with the slate/tile top + the Costco chairs. That's a nice look.

Are the outside areas completely outside with no overhead cover?

[Lizard Queen]

Yeah, I think if the wicker on the chairs is the same color as on those stools, it will look great.

[thyme4change]

Apr 26, 2015 9:51:41 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Apr 25, 2015 21:29:39 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I like the dining table with the slate/tile top + the Costco chairs. That's a nice look.

Are the outside areas completely outside with no overhead cover?

Yes, not covered.  

[mmhmm]

Hayneedle has some interesting counter stools, thyme. Here's a link.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

I agree that, since you want matchy-matchy (which is not necessarily a bad thing in a small area), that you should coordinate the dining set and the bar stools since they are closest together and are of a similar function.

You can always get some throw pillows to tie it all in with the couch.

So, since you said you wanted high end, here are the high end outdoor furniture companies that you should consider:

Brown Jordan
Lloyd Flanders
Telescope

They should have matching dining sets and bar stools in their collections.  You just need to decide how cushy you want the seating, really.  The table can really be any table, in fact, that is where *I* would get eclectic.  Pick out a statement table (since that is really what people see the most of) and then find seating to match and complement it.  

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Apr 26, 2015 13:09:16 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

Have you looked at Houzz?  It's a website/app where you can specify the type of decor you are looking for and they give you tons of examples of what others have done.  It also has a 3d planner. 

If you look up the definition of "house pron" in the dictionary, they link you to Houzz.

My contractor now just shakes his head when I have a new idea, LOL.  

[thyme4change]

I have not had much luck at Houzz.  I find it overwhelming - maybe I am not using it correctly?

And, even though I said my budget was generous, whenever I go to Houzz I see something I love and if I am lucky it is for sale...but it always cost twenty thousand dollars.  But more often, it isn't for sale, or at least it is not obvious where I can get it - it is just a picture of something cool.  What is the point of that?

[Bonny]

I think Thyme's furniture base and cushions are so neutral she needs to punch it up a bit. Depending on the color of the house or the hardscape maybe a red, orange or yellow with stripes or a pattern with the brown.

Our AZ house is built with a terra cotta slump block and into granite boulders. I wasn't used to that warmer palette but I sure had fun once I started. On the other extreme I was able to incorporate a classic turquoise and palo verde (aka light sage) green on another patio.

So many options!

ETA: I'm getting into this because we're probably going to be buying some outdoor furniture later this summer when we're finished doing our landscaping project. Just in time for the sales, LOL

[thyme4change]

I am not as worried about the colors - I feel okay matching those - as much as styles.  When I try to match a more modern and clean look with the big cushy pieces I have now - does it look eclectic, or does it look like I just bought whatever was trendy at the moment without any regard as to what I am putting it next to.  Maybe my couches aren't as style specific as I think they are.  They look somewhat simple in the picture.  In my backyard they seem large and dark.  I couldn't put an ultra modern dining table next to it. But, the things that I see that have the same "feel" are so ornate and dated looking.  

I am beginning to think I am overthinking this.  I might just go buy some stuff I like.  And, if people think I have horrible taste - well, they can make fun of me behind my back.

[Lizard Queen]

Apr 26, 2015 13:35:58 GMT -5 @anne81 said:

I think having different fabrics on the same furniture base makes it look pulled together but not too matchy.

IMO, the fabric ties the 2 areas together, but it isn't a truly eclectic look.