Crate & Barrel’s “Stunning” New Spring Collab Has Tons of Vintage-Inspired Outdoor Gems
Between his work with The Expert, his coffee-table book Redefining Comfort, and his full-service design business, designer Jake Arnold has already left his mark on the design world — and he just keeps creating. Case in point? Arnold’s latest drop for Crate & Barrel, his first-ever outdoor collection and foray into kids’ furniture and furnishings for Crate & Kids.
Arnold ruminated on two different themes for these stunning assortments, European garden meets Hollywood Regency for the outdoor range, and an under-the-sea theme for the baby and kids’ pieces. Despite this inspo, nothing is overly thematic; references are done with just a slight wink. And all the items still have that LA meets London, vintage-inspired, refined yet relaxed look that’s signature to Arnold’s work.
“These are two categories that get put into boxes,” Arnold told me when I interviewed him about the collection. “I wanted to bring in textures you typically wouldn’t see in outdoor and kids’ furnishings.”
Take the Thurlow kids’ Dresser, for example. It has intricate, vintage-inspired drop tassel pulls and bun feet that make it just sophisticated enough for a teen or adult bedroom. And the outdoor bistro dining set? It pairs powder-coated iron frames with a beautiful striped upholstery that looks like a luxe interior fabric. Many of the items also feature exquisite trimmings and finishes, from cording to ogee edging.
The collections nail the mixed materials look and feature a touch of fool-the-eye artistry, too. You’ll find rustic wicker next to stainless steel polished to look like shiny chrome in some of the serving pieces, while the melamine tableware features a faux bamboo trim that’s pretty convincing. Elsewhere in the collection, teak, Sunbrella fabric, and limestone take center stage.
Eagle eyes will recognize Arnold’s sold-out tapestry-like Harrow Pillows from his first Crate collection in 2023, now recast in all-weather recycled fabric and a lighter olive colorway. The Everette Upholstered Bed would be the perfect addition in a kids’ room where you’d want the furniture to evolve as your child grows up. Its shape ever so slightly references Arnold’s best-selling Caldwell Upholstered Storage Bed.
Pricing starts at just $49 for pillows and range up into the thousands for large furniture items. All of the pieces are beautiful, but I chose a few of my favorites from the outdoor range to share with you. Don’t forget to check out the full collection, in stores and online now.
