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I'd go with the Ballard. I personally prefer the feel of steel to wood in outdoor environments.

I think the Strathwood looks more substantial and more comfortable than the Ballard. It's also more pleasing to the eye, in my opinion.

Don't get white, it will look dirty.
Don't get cushions, they mildew.

The Strath def looks comfier to me. And softer on the eye, less angular, which is something I'd want in a loungey space. And waterproof cushions exist.

Metal seats without cushions tend to burn your bum after sitting in the sun all day. You could store cushions indoors until you need them. I just got a set similar to the Strath myself.

I prefer the Ballard.

strathwood

Strathwood. The other chairs are just too small, plus they look cheap.

You dont necessarily have to buy it as a set. We got a great looking white outdoor table at Ikea (on sale even, for $35) – I dont know the name of it, but it has real wood (!) slats for the top and metal folding legs. We bought outdoor chairs from Target ($18 each) that are white painted metal frames with yellow mesh (like an Aeron chair...no cushions necessary). You'd never know it wasn't designed as a set.

strathwood chairs are so much nicer - more substantial, yes, and with a much classier (not classic) design. the table is teeny though. maybe just get the chairs?

I like the Ballard. The other one's too chunky.

Neither look like they'd hold up outdoors unless you have some kind of shed or something to keep them in from the rain. But I like them each in a different way. I'd have to see the area they're going to be in to really get a good sense of it.

You say small currrently empty balcony? I guess the Ballard, because they don't take up much room.

I personally like the Strathwood better. Whatever you decide to do - make sure you check the 'feet' of the chair to make sure they are compatible with whatever your outdoor surface is. I learned the hard way that the skinny metal feet of bistro chairs get stuck in the cracks of my patio and make awful scraping sounds on the concrete :<

I much prefer the Strathwood. It looks to me that you'd just be perching on the Ballard chairs. I also like the curve of the Strathwood's legs.

BALLARD!!! Think how much the classic bistro chairs at Bryant Park and Shake Shack evoke summer and eating outdoors and enjoying the sunshine! Plus, they won't be big and clunky and won't block the sun/view from INSIDE the apartment when you're looking out!

I like the Ballard and I love the red seat cushions. I don't think either of them would look as nice without the cushions.

Strathwood, all the way. Not as likely to heat to scorching in hot weather. Looks more substantial and elegant.

Ballard.

ballard!

I say the Ballard because of the table size. The Strathwood table seems disproportionate compared with its chairs. The red cushion chairs are probably more comfortable.

Strathwood

Another thought. If you live in an area with snowy, cold winters, are you going to need to store your outdoor furniture seasonally? Does either set disassemble easily - OR, even better, would either set be easily incorporated into your interior furnishings for the winter?

Don't get cushions. Suspect the Strathwood will be better without cushions.

I just shopped for a bistro set myself and it was agonizing. Went with Ikea chairs, they have great colors and durable styles and are super cheap to replace every couple years. In fact, so cheap you can get extra chairs in case guests come. Went with the CB2 table. However, I wish I would have shopped Design Within Reach.

This is Christine. Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. Personally, I preferred the aesthetics of the Ballard, plus I wasn't thrilled about the vinyl on the Strathwood. But I ended up getting the Strathwood out of consideration for my 6'5" boyfriend (I'm 5'0" myself). The chairs seem more substantial. Our balcony has a little awning over it and is pretty protected by the elements. We also have a little storage space next to it, so it's no problem to fold up the set and stick it in there in the winter. The table on the Strathwood does look a little small, but unfortunately we only have space for a 24" table, and we wanted some kind of surface so we could eat outside. Thanks for all your input!

No question about it.
The Ballard.

Strathwood. I love the clean look of it. It would look great in our new garden.