Outdoor furniture is experiencing a bit of a renaissance at the moment, I think in part because we’re turning our attention more and more to the way we want to experience our outdoor spaces. Thanks to modern technology, the fluidity with which outdoor furniture has become more flexible and durable means it can be used seamlessly both indoors and out.
A perfect example of this is Carl Hansen’s outdoor furniture collection. Encompassing a timeless and enduring Scandinavian aesthetic the collection celebrates the work of three designers.
Borge Mogensen’s Outdoor Series
You’ll have seen some of Borge Mogensen’s classic pieces in my home before and I’m a bit of a devotee to his work. This collection was initially designed for his own private balcony in the late 60s and early 70s.
Carl Hansen and Son have since updated the range of collapsible, slatted furniture for the contemporary garden. Made from untreated FSC certified teak, it includes the slatted, foldable BM1771 dining table, BM4570 dining chairs with Sunbrella fabric deck chair seats and a stylish slatted bench. The multi-functional BM5768 footstool can be transformed into a side table when parred with the solid teak tray.
I really love the cleverly curved slatted back of the BM5568 Deck Chair which supports the curve of your back along with an additional padded seat.
Using the wall mounts, this functional collection can be folded flat and hung up and out of the way, or stored away.
Bodil Kjaer’s Outdoor Series
Bodil Kjaer’s outdoor collection caught my eye for its dedication to serious lounging. The BK13 Sofa Swing is the epitome of laid-back garden living. Its minimal, Nordic style couldn’t be further from the tacky sofa swings so popular in the 70s.
I love the super square, graphic lines she uses, inspired by Cubist forms and architecture making this collection an ageless addition to any garden space. The BK14 Sunbed can be converted flat into a daybed with a comfy Sunbrella cushion. Simple and streamlined in dark stained teak, the backrests are ever so slightly slanted and padded cushions add extra comfort.
The Cuba Chair designed by Morten Gottler
Believe it or not, Morten Gottler actually designed this chair in 1997, even though it clearly takes cues from its Modernist predecessors. It’s quite incredible that Gottler was a self-taught designer and architect, he was clearly a natural, understanding the nature of wood and form.
There’s very little distinction as to whether the MG501 Cuba Chair is an indoor or outdoor piece given how warm and inviting it is. The flatwoven cotton webbing gives it the soft aesthetic of an indoor piece, yet as a weather-proof, foldable lounge chair it’s perfect for the garden. The sculptural frame comes in oak (which I love) and teak.
So much inspiration for my outdoor space – I can’t wait to show it to you when it’s ready. Are you revamping your garden or balcony this year too?
For more garden inspiration see these posts:
Garden dining inspiration with Georg Jensen
Minimalist garden furniture from Hay Palissade
All photos credit by Carl Hansen & Son.