Clean lines, a mix of wood of warm woods and powder coated metal, with a bit of golden glitz thrown in - we like many of the outdoor offerings from West Elm. Prices seem fairly reasonable and we think a few of these pieces could even work indoors. Take a peek below at our top ten favorites from the West Elm collection:
I have issues with what is designated "outdoor furniture," meaning intended for use under a protective awning or covered up with furniture tents after use versus "weather proof furniture" that is actually crafted to withstand sun, sprinklers, and rain.
Most of the wood and powdercoated peices offered at West Elm and other similar retailers are not meant to weather the summer season without protection. Teak (the higher end versions like those at landsend.com), wrought iron, plastic, and some commerical grade powder coated products (like those manufactured for the restaurant industry by Emu and now available at retail) can be left outside three- or all-season. If not indicated as "all weather", most pieces fall apart or look worn out within a couple of years if exposed to sprinklers/rain/sun on a daily basis.
Be extremely diligent in reading information about intended use and care before you buy new patio gear to leave outside.
I wanted teak furniture, but couldn't find a table under $900 that would last ten years. I dislike plastic and wrought iron. I really didn't want powdercoated aluminum or steel because I live in the desert (SLC is actually a desert at 4200 feet above sea level) and hot summer days averaging 95F make most metal furnishings a threat to bare limbs.
I learned that the patio furnishings I've been lounging in at my favorite sushi joint for the past 5 years are made by Emu (they're in amazing condition -- no rust, no peeling paint). After much research, I believe Emu products are the best in value/durability for the price.
In the end, I decided that their powdercoated metal was the most cost-effective way for me go. Seat cushions will mitigate mesh-pattern burns my legs. Here's what I chose (ordered from room & board, who had the best prices I could find anywhere):
table, in silver (silver will show water spots less than the charcoal finish, and it doesn't come in taupe)
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=462208&coll=377664&cat=19
chairs, in silver
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=648408&coll=377782&cat=18
view kimg924's profile
hate to say this but we were at west elm last weekend and the quality of the stuff appears to be so so poor. it's really to bad, because some designs are really quite nice. amazing to me is that they don't even try to hide it. "wood" pieces on the floor are dented and the engineered wood is bursting through. there were cool looking tables with huge gaps between the pieces, showing that they were not designed with enough precision to fit together. their products are not that cheap, so it's really not acceptable.
sorry for the rant, but to all those not in driving distance to a store, please be warned that what you see online/in print may look very different in 3D.
view Johnp's profile
I second the praise for Emu. Invincible, italian-made, simple, and "affordable". That gets quotes because larger sets can add up fast, but compared to furniture of comparable quality, the value is outstanding.
I've been tempted again and again by cheaper stuff...but can I trust it in the Arizona sun? Probably not. Peace of mind is sometimes invaluable.
view colin's profile
where can I find the wood block rug. Is this an outdoor rug or will the wood get damaged over time if it sits outside. I looked on the web and on http://www.rugsusa.com for the rug but no luck. All they have are the plastic outdoor rugs you see everywhere.
view Franco James 's profile