Get Outside

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday September 25, 2008

Melissa Penfold

Celebrate summer with some seriously classy outdoor furniture.

However small your outdoor area, don't underestimate its potential. Keep it simple and make sure the furniture is in proportion (and appropriate) to the space. Finding something suitable means not only thinking of size but thinking about suitability and durability.

If your balcony is small, don't buy an eight-seat table. Try Long Island chic with rattan pieces, umbrellas and canvas cushions, or Hamptons style with timber garden tables and benches.

Box hedging behind a terrace calls for classical shapes in timber or wrought iron. Inner-city balconies need stackable designs with stainless-steel frames. If stainless steel appeals, choose marine-grade (more likely to be found in Australian-made furniture).

You're sure to find something appealing for outdoor living at these establishments.

Ascot Teak

Quality solid timber basics: good furniture settings, with tables in all shapes and sizes; solid fixed-style chairs to seats that fold and stack; English-garden-style benches with cross or curved backs; sun recliners and small tables. This place also has great sales. 19 Cross Street, Brookvale, 9939 5645;

33 Henderson Road, Alexandria, 9310 7207, www.ascotteak.com

Balcony Living [18]

All the chic contemporary furniture you can fit on a modern balcony or terrace, from teak and powder-coated metal designs to four-piece woven stacking towers and other great finds for the great outdoors. Think Aludean water features in concrete, wall decorations, steel shelves and flueless open fireplaces, and even shading solutions and outdoor lighting. 54 Mortlake Street, Concord,

8765 1789, www.balconyliving.com.au

Bunnings

A bargain-hunter's paradise, the hardware chain has smart weatherproof wicker-style resin sofas, armchairs and coffee tables with cream canvas seating. There are also designer-look teppanyaki barbecue grills with integrated tables in marine-grade stainless steel and teak that come with benches and stools, as well as timber table settings. Stores statewide. 9846 7100, www.bunnings.com.au

Coco Republic [11]

Here you'll find some of the world's best sofas, recliners, armchairs and tables by high-end Brazilian company Saccaro (timber to polyethylene weave in any colour). We're talking the kind of instant style that will revamp your great outdoors, however small. More recently, William Dangar has teamed with Briony Fitzgerald for a range of fab bamboo-style furniture in aluminium with powder-coated finish (think chocolate to oyster or whatever colour you fancy). Then there are Robert Plumb tables and benches in solid teak with marine-grade stainless-steel frames, as well as the best stainless-steel planters, mailboxes, fire pits and doormats. Alexandria, Auburn, Crows Nest.

1300 785 039, www.cocorepublic.com.au

Corporate Culture [14]

Stay ahead of the pack with hip Scandi brands, from edgy, nearly affordable Hay seating to ExTempore and Extremis, modular tables, some with integrated barbecues, as well as sunlounges, armchairs, outdoor showers and benches with an emphasis on compact pieces for balconies. Also Falink local designs. 21-23 Levey Street, Chippendale, 9690 0077,

www.corporateculture.com.au

Cotswold Furniture [13, 16]

Smart, casual furniture looks in top-notch teak, woven fibres, oak and Kraft paper, including that favourite Vincent Sheppard collection. Most designs are strong, durable and can be painted any colour you dream up. Also, classic French Fermob eco-friendly metal chairs, tables, armchairs and sun lounges that look more expensive than they are in hundreds of colours. Oh, and they supply market umbrellas, too.

42 Hotham Parade, Artarmon, 9906 3686

and corner Old Hume Highway and

Frankland Street, Mittagong, 1800 677 047,

www.cotswoldfurniture.com.au

Dickson Avenue

The revamped showroom has all-weather, fade-resistant woven-wicker chaises, modular sofas, tub-shaped chairs, recliners, seats, tables, ottomans and canvas market umbrellas ideal for the veranda. Great sofas that look good on balconies. 28 Dickson Avenue, Artarmon, 9439 9399, www.dicksonavenue.com.au

Domo Collections [4, 9, 10, 20]

German-designed Dedon hand-woven canopy beds, leaf-shape sun lounges, Marrakesh-look sofas, 1920s-style armchairs and jumbo seat pods unlike anything else around, in an almost indestructible plastic fibre that comes in a variety of finishes (pale seagrass, dark java, chalk, carbon, bronze), with a 10-year guarantee. The Zofa modular sofa and armchair pieces have outsold everything else in the range since being launched 12 months ago. The second-best Dedon seller is Spa, then that fab all-round classic, Lounge.

188 Oxford Street, Paddington, 8354 6222;

598 Willoughby Road, Willoughby, 9958 0700, www.domo.com.au

Eco Concepts

The Gucci of landscape specialists also has contemporary outdoor furniture, both imported and locally made, in timber, stainless steel, aluminium and artificial fibres. Specialising in modern outdoor spaces, you will find stacks of architectural water features, planters, pots, pebbles, pavers and sculptures.

Go to invest or be inspired. 7 Danks Street, Waterloo; 41 Mitchell Road Brookvale, 1300 131 413,

www.ecoconcepts.com.au

Fanuli Furniture [6]

Handsome Italian pieces from Kristalia in Venice. Seek out the best-selling Sushi table in different sizes with fixed aluminium frames and slatted tops in Alucompact layered laminate, which is UV- and stain-resistant - practically Terminator-proof. There's also Danish-designed Cane-line hand-woven furniture in an almost indestructible plastic fibre (modular sofas, sun beds, occasional tables and table settings). This very hardy plastic fibre comes in a charcoal-cum-chocolate or straw finish with galvanised steel or aluminium frames. 269 Military Road, Cremorne, 9908 2660,

www.fanuli.com

Freedom

Outdoor contemporary pieces that look like designer originals for a fraction of the price: Dedon-look wicker sofas and chairs, Italian-style stainless steel-and-glass tables, as well as other affordable options. Stores statewide,

1300 135 588, www.freedom.com.au

FY2K [1, 19]

The upmarket showroom, a fave with architects, has Richard Schultz 1966 design collection B&B Italia chaises, tables (now in teak or bamboo) and chairs in aluminium and mesh, (black, brown, white or grey). They feature in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. FY2K also stocks his pieces in marine-grade stainless steel and his petal table in white nylon (reissued with tops in teak or bamboo) and Swell sofas.

17 Thurlow Street, Redfern, 8399 1644, www.fy2k.com.au

Garden Life

Targeting inner-city design addicts, Richard Unsworth stocks affordable Australian-made architectural furniture in everything from stainless steel to timber, stone, concrete, aluminium and compact laminate with a concise range of tables, benches, stacking chairs and water features. There are also lightweight tables and benches, troughs, cubes, planters and bowls in a composite fibreglass and cement material, ideal for balconies and decking where weight might be a consideration. 373 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, 9332 1199, www.gardenlife.com.au

Home Furniture

on Consignment [3, 12]

It has extended and now has 150 square metres of new and preloved designer outdoor furniture from places such as Space, Dedece, Anibou and Domo Collections. You'll find high-end brands such as Coro, (we're talking brand new dining tables in three shapes, dining chairs, armchairs, coffee tables, even ice buckets). There are also Richard Schultz 1966 outdoor collection B&B Italia white-on-white aluminium and mesh dining chairs, tables and chaises, which sell for about 50 per cent less than the usual retail price here, as well as Dedon chaises and Alias chairs, chaises, side tables, plus trad teak designs. 23 Doody Street, Alexandria, 8338 8000, www.hfoc.com.au

Ici et La

Deck chairs like they have on the French Riviera. There are three styles of folding 1950s-style timber designs in dark-stain finishes with thick, striped French cotton canvas slings. Armrest and sunshade options are available, as well as baby versions and love-seat designs. There are also French outdoor bistro cafe tables and chairs in timber and metal, mostly with original paintwork, garden sculptures, old watering-cans and planter boxes.

588 Bourke Street, Surry Hills, 9699 4266;

7 Nickson Street, Surry Hills, 8399 1173,

www.icietla.com.au

Ke-Zu [2, 5, 7, 15]

Great Italian, Spanish and French brands such as Indecasa, Kenneth Cobonpue and Emu with loads of glam poolside pieces by some of the world's leading designers. Indecasa, the company that pioneered the original tubular aluminium chair back in the early 1960s, does the super-simple Lucca cruise collection of sun recliners and chairs in mesh and aluminium. Also stacks of tables, benches and bollards.

Suite 201, 61 Marlborough Street, Surry Hills, 9699 6600, www.kezu.com.au

Le Forge

A French furniture emporium. Endless variations of forged-steel repro cafe bistro tables and chairs like the ones you see in Paris, as well as garden furniture of every description, including big outdoor tables, consoles, armchairs, benches, seats and stands. Then there are plinths, urns, mirrors and accessories galore for outdoor living.

59 Denison Street, Camperdown, 9516 3888, www.leforge.com.au

Papaya [8]

The brand launched into the outdoor furniture market this month with the kind of sun lounges, chairs and table settings you might see gracing Giorgio Armani's holiday houses. The seriously elegant metal designs that feature white canvas seating with bold black-and-white striped cushions are a knockout. No one does the beach Armani thing better. Shop 5015, Level 5, Westfield, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, 9386 9980, www.papaya.com.au

Parterre Garden

Five-star living. Exclusive stockist for Belgian brand Royal Botania (the designer's choice) of luxurious sun lounges, canopy beds, tables, chairs and much more. They are crafted from wood, stone, stainless steel, aluminium, mesh and stretch-resistant polyester fibres covered in coloured synthetic skin. Their fluid shapes and modern designs grace the biggest houses dotting Sydney Harbour. There's also that avant-garde Spanish brand Grandia Blasco by celebrity designer Patricia Urquiola, plus Belgian brand Domani. 493 Bourke Street, Surry Hills, 9356 4747, www.parterre.com.au

Patio

Jamie Drurie recently launched the Patio brand with more than 200 affordable

items to make the most of your outdoor area. From furniture to barbecues and lighting, seek out pieces such as Woodstock,

a slatted-timber table with matching

benches in a dark-chocolate finish that will set you back less than $400 and the modular two-seater sofa lounge and matching side table-ottoman in a

brushed sythetic wicker with aluminium frame, which is a good look for less

than $450. Big W stores,

www.patiobyjamiedurie.com.au

Porch Furniture

The company specialises in Australian-

made contemporary lookers (tables,

chairs, stools, benches and double sunlounges) in white beech or rosewood and marine-grade stainless steel or brushed aluminium that can be made to order in any size. Also, affordable polypropylene, UV-resistant Slip-in sun lounges by Lettini in chalk, black or blue. 0418 461 975,

www.porch.com.au

South Pacific Fabrics

Teak furniture, made in America by Sutherland Furniture, that would look

at home in Architectural Digest. The Louis Soleil hand-carved sofas, ottomans, chaises, armchairs and benches look like something out of Versailles but are upholstered in a solution-dyed acrylic that is mildew-proof and UV-resistant

with stainless-steel studs (no rust). You will also find the Poolside and Reeded solid teak designs that are the kind of thing you see in five-star Caribbean resorts. You're welcome to visit the showroom but must order through your interior designer or decorator. 195 Paddington Street, Paddington, 9327 7222, www.southpacificfabrics.com

Space Furniture [17]

Design central with classics galore. There are Kartell plastic outdoor tables and chairs that are tough and flexible, Serralunga seating (and pots) and Driade Lord Yo chairs that come with slip covers, as well as the celebrated B&B Italia 1966 collection by Richard Schultz and his more recent Swell range. Then there is Zanotta and Accademia, (the choice for serious luxury liners). Remember, originals often don't cost much more than the cheaper lookalikes and will hold their own as investments.

84 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria, 8339 7588, www.spacefurniture.com.au

Thomas Jacobsen Design

Beautifully sleek tables, benches and

chairs designed for our climate in marine-grade stainless steel with tops in

Corian, matt glass or timber. Unlike the European designer stuff, which often can't withstand our tough weather conditions, Jacobsen has never had one piece returned. Shop 3, 19A Boundary Street, Rushcutters Bay, 9357 1509, www.thomasjacobsen.com

Yardware

The warehouse is chock-full of luxury outdoor pieces and garden artefacts (including seconds from up-market Surry Hills retailer the Design Establishment). Made locally from reconstituted stone and bronze, there are loads of contemporary classics with tables, benches, galvanised-steel seating (dining chairs, sofas, sunlounges) in a variety of paint finishes, as well as ritzy statues, stools, fountains, urns, pots, planters, plinths, mirrors and wall plaques. Up to 75 per cent off all the seconds. 6 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria, 9310 2666, www.yardware.com.au

This is an updated extract from Melissa Penfold's Little Black Book: Sydney Shopping Secrets by Melissa Penfold and Jenny Tabakoff (Penguin, $29.95).

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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