Shapely Seating
With backyards in mind, furniture designers throw us some curves.
Outdoor chairs are the stars of alfresco furnishings—a single chair tucks neatly into a cozy corner of the garden; a grouping quickly becomes a beloved gathering spot. But a bright, modern seat that instantly adds color and edge to a previously monochromatic landscape—that’s a backyard hero.
Left: Beloua
Constructed from ash, a wood known for being both strong and lightweight, this half-upright seat from the newly founded French company Concept Suspendu combines hammock and chair in a creation that can’t help but inspire whimsy and leisure. It’s the perfect womb for an afternoon nap.
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Marco Sousa Santos of Branca Lisboa designed this curvaceous plywood seat, its ergonomic structure at once reminiscent of a nautilus, a cocoon, and a set of ribs.
Salt Bench
Part of a new line from Georgia-based importer Upcountry Gardens, this retro beauty is named for its ability to withstand seaside weather conditions. The seat, made of resin webbing woven on an aluminum frame, recalls rattan designs from the 1950s.
Magic Hole Chair
Orange interior detailing adds a jolt of color to Philippe Starck’s molded armchair for Kartell. Its sleek lines betray its utilitarian focus: The holes are meant to store newspapers or whatever you see fit to accompany you on an afternoon outdoors.
($630; kartellstorela.com)
Flux Chair
Origami inspired the fluid lines of the Flux, which, at only 10 pounds, is eminently portable. ($199; yliving.com)
Sixties Chair
This cocoonlike lounger, a nod to ’60s-era design, shines in its cheerful, retro orange.
($488; fermobusa.com)
Philly Club Chair
Designer Damian Velasquez mimicks the classic leather club chair in blue stainless steel.
($3,400; half13.com)
Masters Chair
Designed by Phillipe Stark, this chair was meant to evoke the silhouettes of the masters: Eero Saarinen's Tulip Armchiar, Charles Eames's Eiffel Chair, and Arne Jacobsen's Series 7 Chair.
($244; kartellstorela.com)
Finger Chairs
Architect Oki Sato’s plastic chair blends high style with easy comfort.
(price on request; gandiablasco.com)
