I've been looking to upgrade our outdoor dining chairs for the past month. The ones' we've got are simple old Paris park folding chairs which I love, but they've become really run down from many years out in the weather. I've done my work, and I see some really nice designs, but can't yet pull the trigger. Though I'm seriously considering refinishing our existing chairs to get one more season out of them (probably a recessionary no brainer at this point), here are the front runners (got your own? put it in the comments!)....
>> The Luxembourg Side Chair by Frederic Sofia - $250 - I have a sweet spot for this chair since I saw it first in Paris five years ago, but I get a little scared they're too industrial for a home. The silver color would probably be best.
>> The Sunny Chair from CB2 - $70 (on sale!) - This was Sara's first choice on color, quality and price. The chair is comfortable and surprisingly heavy, which means to me that it's well made and should last a long time.
>> Folding Bistro Paris Park Chairs - $110 - This is what we have right now, just to give you a source. Our came from Smith and Hawken a long time ago and they no longer carry the same ones.
>> Sienna Chair from Smith & Hawken - $139 (on sale) - This is a heavier duty, teak version of the classic bistro design and the price is really quite good right now.
>> The Rex Chair from CB2 - $70 - I still like this one. It's really comfortable, durable, cheap and light.
>> The Bellini Chair by Heller - $150 - This chair took us by surprise a few years back because it was so comfortable and indestructible. Used to be $99; it's gone up a bit.
>> The Alonzo Chair from DWR - $88 - This looks like a copy of the classic Bellini chair DWR used to sell, but it's nearly half the price!
>> Marais Chair - $250 & Tolix Cafe Chair - $225 - These are also on Sara Kate's top pick list, but they ain't cheap for very low manufacture style. Although the colors draw me in, I like the plain zinc finish best.
And here's one sent in by a reader and friend, Meg H.:
"We got these for outside and love them, nice mix of contemporary and teak: Broadway stacking arm chair
Broadway stacking arm chair by Sir Robin Day, manufactured by old-time UK teak company Lister. Nice sale price, though still expensive but investment for long-term."
Check out these Italian designer modern dining chairs by eRoomService.
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view bepsf's profile
Just some comments from someone who has made too many mistakes buying outdoor chairs:
1) Regarding 'surpisingly heavy' comment under C&B chairs. I have heavy outdoor chairs that are hard to pull out from the table, hard to tuck yourself under the table and are a bear to move around the yard. Beware of *too* heavy chairs for ease of use!
2) Note your outdoor surface and it's cracks/crevices. Some of these chairs have poky little feet that get stuck in cracks or between wood deck slats causing awkward moments for guests.
3) Arms vs. no arms -- sometimes (esp in small spaces) armless chairs make all the difference for being able to squeeze a few more people at the table.
That being said, I personally love the Light Blue Marais copy. I am adding them to my wish list to replace my heavy, poky-footed armchairs :)
view robyn's profile
Check out ikea TARNO folding chairs. They are very close to the Folding Bistro Paris Park Chairs but much cheaper ($15 apiece).
view manjari's profile
does anyone know a source for the louis ghost looking chairs they have outdoors at pinkberry?
view madfish's profile
madfish, is it this one?
http://www.unicahome.com/p19073/kartell/victoria-ghost-chair-by-philippe-starck-for-kartell.html
view robyn's profile
The Rex Chair from CB2
Don't get this kind they are uncomfortable. Whenever I sit on one the backs of my thighs get pushed up by the wicker covered tubing and it hurts. Also they are too deep and you can't really get to your food. So you have to lean forward making the back of thighs pain worse.
I'd get the ones in the last picture myself.
view KimmyBrien's profile