Choosing outdoor furniture begins, really, with choosing a material. Each has its own temperament, the way it looks, the way it weathers, the way it asks to be cared for. Understanding the three we work with is the surest way to choose well.
Teak, warmth and longevity
Teak is the enduring classic of outdoor furniture, and for good reason. Dense and rich in natural oils, Grade-A teak is naturally weather-resistant and built to last for decades. Left to the elements, it mellows from honeyed gold to an elegant silver-grey patina, a change many people prize. It brings warmth and a sense of permanence that few materials can match.
Aluminium, architectural and light
Where teak is warm, aluminium is crisp. Powder-coated and entirely rustproof, it allows for cleaner, more architectural lines and a lighter physical weight that makes rearranging effortless. It holds its finish beautifully with almost no maintenance, and suits contemporary spaces where structure and precision lead the design.
Lento, in powder-coated aluminium, beside the pool.
Woven, softness and texture
Woven pieces bring the tactile, relaxed quality of the coast. Wrapped around sturdy frames, all-weather weaves add softness and depth without sacrificing durability, standing up to sun and shower while keeping an easy, informal character. Where teak and aluminium provide the structure, woven provides the comfort and the texture.
Riviera, hand-woven, in a shaded garden loggia.
Choosing between them
There is no single right answer, only the right answer for your space. Consider your climate, the look you are drawn to, and how much you enjoy the ritual of maintenance. Many of the most beautiful schemes combine all three: an aluminium frame, a teak table, a woven lounge chair, each doing what it does best.
Material is not a detail. It is the foundation on which a space is built, and the decision that, more than any other, determines how that space will feel in ten years’ time.