My Urban Garden Deco Guide

At Maison et Objet 2010 I met Stéphane Ducatteau, who is charming and whose work is top notch. I really liked the look of these pieces ( affordable) and was totally surprised at how confortable they are.

These are pieces I would buy.

www.stephane-ducatteau.com

Finding space to store seems a never ending quest. Using outdoor space is a great option but sadly designers have made few efforts to come up with great innovations.

Trade Winds who have developed great outdoor showers have this versatile chest that doubles up as a seat for up to 5 adults. It is personalisable in camel, milk chocolate, lime green, rust , turquoise and many more...

'Chest'r is a roomy, elegant chest made out of wood and canvas, capable of seating up to five adults.
The top and base are made out of weatherproof Thermo wood pine and have been dipped in a water based wood protector to prevent damage from rain and snow.
The frame is built out of fiberglass tubing that forms a very lightweight, robust structure.
The acrylic canvas side panels are available in 4 standard colors or 50 other special colors, choice enough to suit all tastes! The acrylic canvas is both fade resistant and waterproof.'

Part 2 : Links to 'Contemporary Chic' style brands

If you are searching for 'contemporary chic style' furniture, you may want to check out some of the following brands... a short cut to shop the best. Enjoy the search !

My pick: this low table and chairs by Royal Botania :

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My category A- list

• Dedon                           www.dedon.fr
• Domani                        www.domani.be
• Gloster                         www.gloster.com
• Hugonet                       www.kettalgroup.com/consumer/hugonet
• Kettal                           www.kettal.com
• Val-eur                         www.val-eur.com
• Royal Botania              www.royalbotania.com
• Tectona                        www.tectona.fr
• Some                           www.some.be
• and more soon

In addition there are specialists of certain materials such as loom:

• www.vincentsheppard.com  who has grown into a leading and trend-setting Lloyd Loom rattan and wicker chairs, sofas

Read on for sample images and more...

• Val-eur 

The brand is a serious category player with a solid offer of teak, aluminum , all weather woven furniture.  Kink to site for a very complete collection ( teak, all weather woven., aluminium..) : click here

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• Dedon.fr

Link to Uk distributor: click here

The editorial team from Architectural Digest (AD) has named the YIN YANG signature collection by DEDON as one of Europe’s 100 Style Highlights. Top international achievements in architecture, art and design are presented under the title, “Best of Europe – the 100 Style Highlights.”

Pieces include armchairs, two- and three-seater sofas, sidechairs, lounge chairs, beach chairs, recliners, footstools in 12 different lines and styles.

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• Some

Some is a relatively hidden gem - talented for revisiting seatings, pool - lounging solutions. To be discovered. 

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• Domani.be 

The belgian brand to visit for sleek lined shapes and colors Truly great variety of colors and options ( two seaters, benches...) Link.They also make planters and sails ....you have seen in the best places without knowing it...

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• Gloster

In the same league as val -eur and equally classic chic. A must see for formal sets. Link here

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• Viteo

Viteo have an eye for design  that is classical but clearly forward driven with a twist and a good use of technology.
And fast becoming a A list member .

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• Ego

  Leisure Plan is the UK distributor of Ego, a French manufacturer of contemporary outdoor furniture. - Designed by Thomas Sauvage, the Ego range includes stackable dining chairs, with and without armrests, folding sidechairs, multiposition armchairs, low armchair, chaise longues and sun loungers. Complementary round, rectangular and oval dining tables, as well as coffee tables, balcony tables and pedestal tables.

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• Kettal

Kettal -  Hugonet - Evolutif and Triconfort

Established in 1964. Work with design stars such as Urquiola, Pillet. Massaud etc...
Hugonet is  their Haute couture line
http://www.kettalgroup.com/commercial/hugonet

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• Tectona

Classic and famous. You surely know them

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• Roda
• Link here soon

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• Fermob

Number 1 in metal furniture in France. Good selection for  balconies/ terraces and colored metals furniture... variations .26 colors.

A french touch.

Direct access to online catalogue: link

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I am re-editing this post because I saw that this week's Evening Standard had chosen Azria's work for a front page...And that reminded me how much I like her work!LINK here

I have just come back from meeting elite garden designer - Charlotte Rowe. She has kindly helped me find the excellent Cathy Azria. This artist/sculptor is re-inventing the bonfire for the urban garden. Built to special commission, her fires form the heart of an 'outdoor room'. Running on mains gas, they can be designed into a chimney or built into fireproof/frost proof vessels.LINK here

The size, positioning and sculptural forms are designed in conjunction with the client and the steel elements of each piece are left untreated, to develop a beautiful fire-tempered rusty patina. As flames lick through them, they also begin to glow red hot, creating spectacular effects which will be different every time the fire is lit.

Already present last year, even via contemporary chic niche brands such as Jonathan Stockton, high back benches are emerging strong in the catalogs of major brands.Sign of the times the Canasta series  by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia 

includes just such a design.

At Maison et Objet, EMU has once again shown it has seriously upped its design ambitions.

Now working with the celebrated designer Patricia Urquiola it has refreshed some of its own designs from the 50's.

And I guess they were right to do so: every design conscious blog has relayed this new set of outdoor furniture with a wide set of superlatives... and so has The New York times.

In an interview, Emu's spokesperson mentioned the important point that a successful 'outdoor '/garden brand is in fact a successful in /out brand capable of providing a seamless design set for in and outside. That is a point many brands will be eager to work on !

Dayslesford Organic have developed a very classic set of outdoor pieces. Their finish makes the difference: unmistakably modern.

Just as we were getting all hyped up about new BBQ designs that look great in modern gardens, they become so ...well ...petty looking! The trend is fast growing for complete gourmet type outdoor open-air kitchen setups.

UK based Barbecue Island Company are an example of a company tapping into the trend and developing bespoke solutions like this Black bar.LINK here

Another confirmation can be gained by a quick look at Viking's web options.You can choose : will it be outdoor fridges and refrigeration solutions, refreshment centers, cooking and-or ventilation? (Design wise I am not sure we are quite there yet. However bespoke is always a good way forward.)

Link here

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A beginner's version I guess  is the outdoor kitchen by Wolfgang Pichler available for example at Sabz