 | When you’ve invested time and money in the landscaping of your property, and slaved over the flower gardens or ponds, you’ll want to sit back and enjoy them from more than one vantage point. That makes patio or outdoor furniture a major consideration when it comes to completing your outdoor decor. Because it has to be more than just decorative -- it has to "work" for you as well.
The poolside where you can watch the kids, or even by the pond is a perfect spot for a settee tea set. It’s taken the traditional settee design and placed a table between the two seats, while melding the whole thing into one unit. There’s no chance of one being knocked over, or the table disappearing when you come out with a cup of coffee in your hand. The very attractive peeled cedar log design can be left to age gracefully, or painted to match other furniture. Toss on some cushions for comfort, and take them in when rain threatens. They’re well-built and perfectly able to weather whatever comes along.
But if you prefer your tea in a formal setting, there is the English Garden settee grouping in a more traditional style. The chair and settee have a camel back with vertical slats, and a separate matching coffee table. Like the combined unit, it can be painted or allowed to take on the patina of age. Other natural cedar pieces that can be scattered about under shade trees include the cedar garden swing, in an identical smooth log design that comes as a natural cream color, and ages to a lovely silver/gray over time.
Of course, one of the favorite fair weather seats is the all-American Adirondack chair. This unique design has quite literally weathered years as the traditionally favored lawn furniture of vacationers and those who have cottages. A simple slat design with flat arm rests, the chair comes in colors to match your house or trim, or as natural wood to be varnished or allowed to age. There are even folding models that make for quick and easy storage at the cabin.
You just can’t beat a swing though, for fun, romance or just the relaxing motion. They come in a wide variety of designs made from wood, that are usually free-standing with their own frames. The cut of the seat slats and top defines the style, which can be classified as American or Garden. There are also some very elegant Victorian era style wrought iron swing seats, beautifully crafted accents for garden parties or private meditation on a mound of flowered pillows. Some porch swing sets in materials like natural cedar, come in models to be hung from the porch ceiling or roof.
The one piece of outdoor furniture that seems to appeal to everyone, is a hammock. Whether it’s for their fun factor, or supreme comfort, they’re certainly a handy and portable item that is easy to move and store in winter. You don’t necessarily need large shade trees either, since you can also find free-standing frames to accommodate the model you choose.
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