For those of us who are aging, all furniture (including garden furniture) needs to have solid arms that can be used for pushing us out of the chair or sofa.
Thank you for summarizing so much good information so quickly! I thought I would add that cast aluminum is a good choice because it doesn't rust. I have a white 'gothic' cafe set (small round table and two chairs) that I bought in 1989. The finish was 'powder coat', which has chipped off, but it should be easy enough to strip (when I have time) and paint. I have two other sets in antique black with larger round tables and four chairs (separate cushions, which I keep inside when not in use). Those are about 8 years old, and are still in good condition and just need a 'hose off' due to spiders. :)
I boought my wooden garden table ten years ago and it's going strong. I spray it with teak oil each year and the table looks pretty new still. For a cheapo table bought for about £60 that seats four, it's been terrific value and I love the look of it. With wood it is certainly, totally worth looking after it. This very much going for wooden decking each year too. Take off algae and use wood preserver each year without fail and it should last 20 years plus.
I've also bought a few garden items from IKEA, small tables of metal and wood and they are amazingly long lasting, I've left them outdoors for many years. My main concern with outdoor chairs is that they be sturdy for a guest who may be heavier, wood and metal are generally better for that I think. Great video Alexandra!
8: 17 is to my taste. Everyone gets a seat and it matches with the garden itself perfectly. For a bit more comfy sitting I'd add two metal folding chairs and a small metal folding table, which can easily be put in the shed, during wintertime.
I garden on a budget so stylish furniture is at the end of my shopping list, after new plants, seeds, bulbs, manure, fertiliser and the like. I do admire classic, elegant furniture arrangements in gardens but I will probably never have anything of the sort. I have a "vintage" plastic bench, plastic chairs, a bargain metal table and one relatively pretty wooden bench from a DIY shop. Anyway, there's hardly any time to sit and enjoy the garden because there's always something to do :-) Cheers, Alexandra.
Hello from France! My prefered garden chairs are those called « transatlantique » ie a wooden foldable structure with fabric for sitting & stretching your legs/feet. I like this style because you can choose to sit upright to read, drink, paint your toe nails which are right in front of you at the same level or put it low and nap, look at the sky... You can also choose the fabric from classic to modern or bohemian. These have to be brought back indoor or in a shed (to avoid moisture) at the end of the evening if you want to keep them long but they take no room at all. I only shop second hand because the indentations in the rear legs of the transat are sculpted into the wood and thus very robust. All the modern models have plastic things nailed to the rear legs (to orient your seating more or less vertically) which tend to break all too easily. As for chairs and tables, I like wood, painted or not, better than anything else except the occasional rattan armchair (with obligatory seating cushion otherwise tighs get marks). In France the local wood (as opposed to teak) which is water resistant is chestnut. There is also a kind of fence make out of chestnut, called « ganivelle » which I love.
I have wrought iron which I love it especially in Maine . Very simple to care for. Doesn't blow away in 80 mph winds. However For that reason I wouldn't use Aluminum. So I tried to find wrought iron but the only way I found it in craigslist locally. The closest would be stainless steel. But heavy is necessary. Stone will be cold. Great ideas. Thankyou.
What a timely viewing as it is still winter, but I am on the search in secondhand stores for garden furniture. I just love to view your videos, making my only regret not planting more trees, 20 years ago.💛
Good morning Alexander, what a lovely topic, also very important. Depending on your garden lifestyle, consider what would be most suitable for your needs. Nowadays there is quite a vast variety to choose from. The French table and chairs set is always nice, a heavy wire set is so long lasting and fun, wicker is beautiful, BUT they are best in a conservatory or covered patio! Second hand?, if a friend is tired of their set or down sizing, you will pick up a good bargain, here in S.A. the lifestyle is totally different, second hand, now ways, you might as well buy brand new :( so, at the end of the day, save and buy a good solid set, use it enjoy it, and take care of it. I do not like the all weather stuff, too boxy, and I cannot get my head around it for the reason why spend a fortune for the goods and leave it out in the weather? It does not make sense to me. I like to take care of my things, maybe because I do not have cash to throw around, maybe I am just old fashioned! What about buying a canvas beach chair and when you wish, take place it in the garden and enjoy reading a good book. So easy to fold and pack away. Buy what makes you happy. A lovely topic for discussing. Enjoy your coffee break out in your garden, enjoy life and be happy. Oh, do as you please :) Many blessings, kind regards, until next time. ❤☕
This is very useful as I will be looking for garden furniture for my new house. I love your style of furniture Alexandra. The chairs in your sheltered part remind me of ones I saw in a French text book from my school days!😅
I've had luck finding mid-century pieces that have been put out for trash. I took rusty 1950s spring chairs to a shop that sand-blasted and powder-coated them for $60 (US) each and have sanded and painted other pieces myself.
That was a fun video. My grandkids have out grown the playarea in my garden and I will be replacing it with seating and a table. This was very helpful.
Such a great and helpful video Alexandra. I love that set you are sitting on, great find! I’ve come to realize that if I buy the furniture I absolutely love it will all go together in some way. I found a table and chairs set on FB and after a fresh coat of paint by absolutely love it! Thank you again for another informative video! ❤
Thanks again for your wonderful work. I wonder if you could give some tips on pruning the roses given the current weather condition in Europe. Most of them have buds on them and I wonder if it is wise to prune them at this stage?
I'd leave it until the weather warms up. Pruning tends to stimulate new growth, which could be nipped by the weather, although roses in themselves are very resilient, so you would probably be fine just pruning the frost-damaged growth off again and more growth would come. But you might as well save yourself the effort and wait.
I was wondering whether, if you are making your own pillows for seating, you need to use a special stuffing, and whether the same is true for throw pillows. Thanks for a very informative video.
Yes, you do need a specialist filling - I think Emma used a foam stuffing made for outdoor cushions - google 'foam filling for outdoor cushions' to get suppliers near you.
Thanks for posting, I haven't seen a video from you in awhile and I really appreciate your advice! Your cushions are beautiful but I'd turn the zippers to the back.
Thank you, and absolutely what I realised once I saw the pix. It's extraordinary how things I might not notice in real life are just so obvious in photos or on screen! But I couldn't face doing a re-shoot just for the zippers. Good to know that you noticed, though.
Fibre glass 8 chairs big round glass top table bought in Englands Chelsea show 1991 . Keep in barn all rattan look needs cleaning .So storing is best even so . I also am building timber picnic table with fixed bench each side for days with my brick dome oven cooking for 10 friends to have a real Edwardian garden party .Sorry about storms back home in England.Then the Gulf Stream is leaving British isles so this accounts for the bad weather
Something to remember about concrete and stone is that they’re generally rather cold to sit on. Also hard. I love the look of stone benches but unless it’s one of the hottest days of the year I can’t enjoy sitting on them.
Don't get metal chairs get too hot to sit on in summer? Even if you put a cushion on it you can burn yourself on the edges, don't you? One criterium that I find important is that afrer a shower the water should be able to drip away and dry up quickly. Also wood is so comfortable in sumner and winter temperaturwise.
I think that probably the issue with metal chairs depends on how hot your summers are. In a very hot climate, that could be a problem, but doesn't tend to be in UK summers. But it's an interesting point.
I really regret buying an expensive garden furniture set made of a metal frame with soft cushions. We never use it because we have to bring out the cushions every time we want to sit in it.