With yet another Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching, as well as this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show just a matter of weeks away, I thought we’d all appreciate some Nordic inspiration to help get our gardens summer ready.
Whether you’re looking to bring some Scandinavian style to a small urban plot, a multi-functional family space, or a more mature outdoor area in the country, I’ve rounded up five of my favourite outdoor furniture launches of 2023 to help get your ideas flowing.
AH Outdoor Series from Carl Hansen & Son
First up it had to be the AH Outdoor Series from Carl Hansen & Son. Designed by the Danish architect Alfred Homann, this simple and sophisticated family of furniture consists of a whopping eleven pieces, all of which can be combined and adapted to fit your outdoor space.
From chairs, tables and benches, through to a sofa, super cute footrest, and an amazing looking lounger, every piece is made from untreated FSC-certified teak; a hard wood which contains a high content of natural oils helping to protect it from the weather and ensuring it will last you for decades.
May Series from New Works
The May Series is the first range of outdoor furniture produced by New Works and it has been created with Johannes Breuer and Fritz Gräber of design studio Hannes & Fritz. Consisting of an elegant set of stackable chairs, available with or without armrests, as well as tables in two lengths, this understated but durable powder-coated collection comes in either a rich dark green or an airy light grey.
I personally love how the curved shape of the chairs have been specifically designed to cradle the body for added comfort, and how a slender slit in both the chair seats and tabletops allow for water drainage on a wet summer’s day.
Open-Air Collection from Vipp
With its instantly recognisable sense of style the Vipp Open-Air Collection is a masterclass in timeless Danish design details. Taking inspiration from the brand’s eighty-year history, it’s hard to believe this is their first outdoor furniture series.
Soft in shape but made from super strong powder coated aluminium, for me what stands these pieces apart are their tactile touches of teak, rattan, ceramic and Italian textile. Surely a sunny afternoon spent relaxing on one of these luxurious outdoor sofas would do all of us the world of good.
Crate Collection from HAY
Originally designed by pioneering Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1934, HAY have added the Crate Collection to their fantastic range of outdoor furniture.
Distinguished by its modernist wide planks and its low, grounded silhouette, the series includes a lounge chair, a dining chair, a coffee table and a side table. Constructed from solid pine and treated in a range of natural and colourful water-based lacquers, these affordable and comfortable new additions would look just as good inside as they do outdoors.
Eden Collection from Broste Copenhagen
Let’s be honest you can’t go wrong with Broste Copenhagen, I’ve several of their outdoor planters in my garden already, and the new Eden Collection would complement them perfectly thanks to their sleek linear looks and paired-back minimalistic style.
Available in a deep ‘Forest Green’ and warm ‘Beige Grey’, there’s a beautiful bench which would look great covered in colourful cushions as a stand-alone piece, or if you’ve a bit more space to play with, combined with the super handy stackable chairs and foldable tables.
So, which of my selection is inspiring you and your garden this summer? Also, if you need some help and advice on planting, then why not read my chat with the author of ‘Nordic Garden Design’, Johanna Vireaho.
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