apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Where can the chairs and table from the first picture be purchased? Sleek!

I what everything in the first picture...please do tell where to purchase.

oh yeah and the price on the chairs from IKEA change daily. One day they are 39.99 and another 49.99, so keep an eye on them. I am getting the white for my kitchen.

Just out of curiosity, why is outdoor furniture so expensive? I have a wee balcony and I'm looking for a small table and two chairs and cannot seem to find any set I truly like for under $200. That IKEA set is in the price range, but I find it to be utterly hideous and uncomfortable. I want something I can sit and have breakfast in as easily as I can sit out there with my mate and talk about nothing for hours. It seems like so much money for such a small space. I'm also a cheap-o with a wee budget to match. (Maybe I should submit this as a quesiton instead of a comment?)

The French Metal Cafe Chairs from Pottery Barn, $199 each do not include the cushions for that price. Keep that in mind.

Where are you finding the outdoor furniture on ikea.com??? I can't find it anywhere!

Unless you have a shaded patio or yard, or live where the temp never gets above 80F, don't purchase metal furniture... unless you want to inflict a nice branding on your bare legs or arms. Cushions help if the chair doesn't have arm rests.

Miss Pea: I have the same problem. It's really hard to furnish a patio on a budget without resorting to those cheap resin chairs that you see on every college student's balcony.

Can anyone confirm that those IKEA Urban chairs are uncomfortable? I would like to know before I order them since I have to order via mail.

I agree that outdoor furniture is ridiculously hard to find if you want something that isn't cheap but is still reasonably priced.

Check out this set from Crate and Barrel:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1165&f=26381

Unfortunately they only offer it in orange now, the version I have is all black and only cost about $200. It is not exactly cheap now, but for a table and two comfortable chairs it is pretty reasonable. We have it on our back deck and it is great for morning coffee or evening wine drinking.

Target.com has a 3-piece metal retro patio set for $179 for the set. Looks like the color options are red or pistachio green.

My local JoAnn Fabrics also carries a metal-framed, resin wicker cafe chair in black-and-brown, for $25.00 each. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any pictures of them on their website.

In case anyone is interested, the chairs at JoAnn look a bit like this, but without the scrolly bits. Still not the sleekest thing evar, but hey, they're 25 bucks. And not white PVC.

Oooh! The Target retro set is adorable!!! I'm going to register for it. And if I get it, it's getting tucked in the back corner of my yard with Fred & Ethel, the pink flamingos. :)

Check out the Napa collection at Home Depot. Really. The 3-piece bistro set is $159. They hold up really well in all kinds of weather (we bought ours last summer and kept it out all winter) and the chairs are comfortable with or without a cushion.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100471146&N=10000003 90401

Ikea outdoor chairs are small. The resin chairs are cheap but they are more comfortable than Ikea. Home depot expo has nice outdoor furniture if you can find a location.

A smart shopper buys summer furniture at the end of the season and off season.

I think these are kind of fun and funky, and of course, they are also out of stock!
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_028C796459110001B?vName=Tools %26 Outdoors&cName=Patio Furniture&sName=Patio Furniture

If you click on the chairs, you can also view the fabric of the cushion.

Don't everyone get all snobby, but look at this set too, under $200.00 for two steel frame chairs, with cushions, and a woven back, WITH a glass top steel table:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6449583

Lots of things are sold out already:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9604752

You can always swap out the seat cushions with others around the same size for variety, like these:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8305551

Just check your measurements, and browse online. They have quite a few deck cushions that would work for that seat size, and several throw pillows or lumbar support pillows that would make the chairs even MORE comfortable. And it would STILL be under 200.00 for the set.

I think that is a nice looking set. It doesn't scream "WalMart" nor does it say "resin cheapness".

The Pottery Barn bistro chair looks like the Marais chair, no? They're not much cheaper than at DWR, though :(

@spossberg: I just left IKEA. I've changed my mind. Those chairs aren't comfortable. Broke my heart, but I won't be getting them. No back support...just a chair. :-(

Lowes has this option that I thought was a good value and small enough for our little patio. I bought the 2 chairs and the table last spring for under $90. It sat outside all winter and held up really well.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=130696-41435-WDC-704A

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=124759-41435-WDC-7922L&lpage=none

These are all great suggestions - thanks everyone! I knew I wasn't alone in my plight.