For its 2015 Studio Collection, Brentano added two complementary Sunbrella upholstery fabrics for dynamic layering outdoors. According to the company, Majalis replicates the geometric motifs found in painted frescoes in Saudi Arabia as patterned stripes in seven colorways. The subtler Numayla, whose delicate striations emulate tweed, is named after the Bedouin weaving pattern and comes in eight earth-toned hues. Both are bleach-cleanable and stain-resistant. The former combines solution-dyed acrylic and solution-dyed polyester while the latter is made entirely of solution-dyed acrylic.
Spiraling starbursts, scallops, ripples, and braids set this collection of cast-concrete vessels apart from other architectural planters. Designed with Venice, Calif.–based landscape architect and sculptor Cliff Garten, the six designs (Solis, shown) of the Agora Planters series come in 20 earth-toned colors. Dimensions vary by model.
Bring the music—and a little light—to outdoor gatherings with Uma. The handheld lantern, which projects light and sound in 360 degrees, was designed by San Francisco lighting studio Pablo. An eight-hour battery, Bluetooth connectivity, and a leather strap, in tan, brown, or black, renders the luminaire portable. It stands 11” tall and rests on a 6”-wide base. Speakers are integrated into the fixture's base and top. See more portable outdoor lighting here.
Designer Richard Schultz created the 1966 Collection of chic-yet-resilient outdoor furniture for architect and furniture designer Florence Knoll that year, and it has been part of manufacturer Knoll’s collection since (save a hiatus from 1988 to 1992). The company recently updated the collection with six vibrant color options—plum, yellow, lime green, blue, orange, and green—for its powdercoated frames, allowing designers to coordinate with the palettes of the company’s other collaborators, including David Adjaye, Hon. FAIA.
From Florim’s Casa Dolce Casa brand, Icon Outdoor is a series of porcelain pavers for exterior use. The 2cm-thick tiles have rectified edges and a joint-free installation that allows for rainwater drainage. They resist frost, thermal shock, deterioration from salt, and slipping. The collection is available as 60cm squares and 40cm-by-120cm planks in white, light gray, gray, and beige colorways.
Create a place to gather outdoors when the sun goes down. Western red cedar and concrete outfit the geometric Social Series firepit from Squamish, British Columbia, Canada–based Sticks + Stones. For use with propane, natural gas, or ethanol burners, the model is offered with or without complementary benches. The concrete elements can be specified in graphite and peppercorn colorways.
Take a relaxed approach to outdoor illumination with this upscale twist on string lights. Designed by Sputnik Estudio in Valencia, Spain, for Marset, Santorini is likened to the lanterns traditionally used on fishing boats. Specifiers can choose the number and orientation of shades on each fixture. Introduced in 2014, the company recently expanded the line to include wall- and ceiling-mount options.
Loosen up the look of classic stripes with these broad, painterly brushstrokes. Link Outdoor’s aptly named Brush Stroke upholstery comes in 14 colorways on a solid woven background. The collection is made of 100-percent solution-dyed acrylic.
This line of seating and occasional tables from Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola gets its name, Butterfly, from the shape formed where the armrest and backrest meet on the collection’s modular sofa. Those lines are complemented by the tables’ contours, which are shaped by twisted polyethylene fibers wrapping a gray-painted aluminum frame. Carrara marble and ash inlays are offered for the table tops.
Outdoor showers can be useful to sites with pool and beach access, but bathing en plein air should be more luxury than imposition. MTI Baths’ new concrete bench with a teak inlay adds amenity to outdoor baths in residential and hospitality spaces. It measures 16” wide and 20” tall and comes in 30”, 36”, 42”, and 48” lengths.
