Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

The quintessential patio chair – tried and true since their inception in 1903 when eleven pieces of wood cut from a single board made their shape – Adirondack chairs are a crowd favorite for entertaining in the backyard, rocking on the front porch, and even folding up when space is needed. It seems that whatever the purpose, an Adirondack chair has a solution for the problem. Thin, reclined, and with a great geometry that accounts for the comfort we seek in an outdoor patio chair, the Adirondack chair varieties serve almost all of our basic human needs in everlasting style.

Treated Pine Kennebunkport Chair: Named after the town in York County, Maine that is known well for its reputation as “a summer haven for the wealthy”, the Kennebunkport Adirondack chair uses Treated Pine in this classy version. Hand-crafted and durable from the nature of its wood, this chair uses galvanized bolts, washers, and nuts to finish out the Adirondack chair’s stylish appearance and help it to sit tall and strong forever.

Polywood Adirondack Rocker: Rocking in the already reclined comfort of an Adirondack chair is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon. Knowing it is made from a Polywood material, or polyethylene plastic lumber, makes you feel that much more at ease knowing you’re keeping forests in tact and plastics out of the landfill. Use this classic porch rocker on your porch or as a set on your patio by the pool. Wherever it decides to rest, a Polywood frame with stainless steel hardware adorning your outdoor living area makes the simple things in life the most pleasurable.

3) Eucalyptus Stained Folding Adirondack Chair: Likely a conversation piece wherever it rocks, the Eucalyptus Stained Folding Adirondack Chair is as apparently luxurious as it is sturdy. Often related to the Teak outdoor furniture whose natural oils help create long-lasting outdoor furniture sets, the FSC Certified Eucalyptus wood is dense and gorgeous when paired with stainless and galvanized steel hardware. To make it even better, this Folding Adirondack chair made it onto this list for its ability to do just as it states – fold up and be put away easily for events, dining or ray of sunshine that comes your way.

4) Red Cedar Southern Wide Slat Adirondack Chair: With massive 5” wide back slats for full body support, the design of this Red Cedar Southern Wide Slat Adirondack Chair lends itself to a great afternoon read or conversation without worry. The deep seating area provides plentiful comfort and lumbar support while the wide arms rest weary limbs at any point during the day. With zinc-plated steel hardware, the Western Red Cedar wood and its 390-lb capacity are a welcome addition to households where size and quality are almost as important as the beautiful design of the patio furniture.

Tags: adirondack chair, adirondack chairs, folding adirondack chair, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor patio chair, patio chair, patio furniture

Classic Adirondack furniture is a traditional component of the American backyard.  The clean lines of Adirondack furniture have made it a popular outdoor furniture choice for more than a century.  Since the introduction of the simple Adirondack chair in the mountain communities of New York, the rustic Adirondack style has grown in popularity and can now be found in a wide variety of furniture pieces.  Adirondack style rocking chairs, porch swings, chaise lounges and dining chairs are just a few of the options now available.

The original Adirondack chair had slanted back legs that allowed it to be used on sloping ground.  Adirondack rocking chairs replace the slanted legs with a pair of rocker rails.  Combining the wide Adirondack seat with a rocking motion creates a supremely relaxing outdoor chair.  Adirondack dining chairs, on the other hand, replace the traditional slanted legs with taller straight legs, retaining the slanted back that is a hallmark of Adirondack style.  They are the perfect choice for stylish outdoor dining.

The porch swing is another traditional piece of furniture that’s associated with comfort and a simpler way of life.   Adirondack porch swings feature the slatted back and wide armrests of the Adirondack chair.  Whether suspended from chains or built with its own stand, an Adirondack porch swing will be the focal point of any porch, patio or yard.   An    Adirondack chaise lounge offers the ultimate in summer relaxation, allowing its occupant to stretch out in comfort while reading, napping or tanning.  Adirondack chaise lounges are the perfect poolside or patio addition.

The original Adirondack chairs were made from woods that were commonly available in the Eastern U.S. woodlands.  Today’s Adirondack style furniture is constructed from a wide variety of traditional and exotic woods, including cedar, pine, cypress, teak and eucalyptus.  You can also find Adirondack furniture made from polywood, resin and recycled plastics.

The wide variety of Adirondack style furniture pieces that are now available allows any homeowner create a backyard patio setting with all the traditional style and charm of the original Adirondack chair.

Tags: adirondack, adirondack chair, adirondack chairs, adirondack chaise lounge, adirondack rocking chairs, adirondack style rocking chairs, chaise lounges, outdoor chair, porch swing, porch swings

If you’re unsure about outdoor room design and looking to add outdoor furniture without going over the top, consider an Adirondack chair grouping.  Providing the rustic simplicity many homeowners prefer, these extremely comfortable patio chairs can be dressed up with color to give a stunning focal point.

Taking the plunge to colorful Adirondack chairs focuses your material options.  After all, cedars and teaks do not take paints well at all.  Whether you choose to purchase your chairs already painted, or get them unfinished to paint yourself, you’ll need to consider your materials.

Pine Adirondack Chairs: Both select and treated pines are sturdy, economic materials.  Usually carrying the lowest price tag, Pine does require regular maintenance to deter moisture and insect damage.  The good news is that painting your pine Adirondack chair will take care of the majority of that upkeep.

Cypress Adirondack Chairs: Cypress is an elevated wood very similar to red cedar in its durability and resilience.  But, cypress readily accepts all sorts of paints and stains and holds color beautifully. Cypressene, a natural oil embedded in the heartwood, makes it naturally resistant to insects and decay. When kiln dried, cypress has little tendency to warp or cup. Cypress Adirondack chairs always make a fantastic group.

Polywood Adirondack Chairs: Polywood is a synthetic material created from recycled plastic water bottles and milk jugs once destined for landfills.  It is crafted to look and feel just like real wood, yet is positively affecting the environment by reusing resources.  An incredibly eco-friendly choice, polywood also comes in dozens of brilliant colors.  Unlike painting wood, the color goes completely through the plastic material.  So, you’ll never need to touch up, re paint, or hide scratches in the paint.  The only downside is that you can’t repaint polywood, so while you can change the colors of your pine and cypress Adirondack chairs every season, polywood will stay true for years.  So, be sure you love the color!

Adirondack chairs look great arranged in a circle around a fire pit or conversation table.  But, if you’re lucky to have an expansive front porch, you can also line the up to face the view for relaxed socializing.  Don’t stress too much about arrangement though.  After all, one of the great things about Adirondack chairs is that you can move and rearrange them at the drop of a hat!

Adirondack chairs make fantastic holiday gifts, as well.  Help your loved ones look forward to spring with a fantastic patio chair they will love for years.

Have Fun!
Hazel

Tags: adirondack chair, adirondack chairs, cypress adirondack chairs, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, pine adirondack chair, polywood adirondack chairs

The addition of Adirondacks chairs will add charm to any yard or patio.  The use of natural materials and the simple design of the Adirondack chair harkens back to a simpler time in American history.  Before purchasing Adirondack chairs or any other style of outdoor furniture, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits of the different materials that are available.

The design of the Adirondack chair is well-suited to a variety of materials.  Traditional Adirondack chairs are constructed from cedar, pine and other durable woods.  Cedar Adirondack chairs and Pine Adirondack chairs can be sealed and treated to withstand outdoor weather.  When left untreated, the wood will take on a silvery gray appearance that many people feel enhances the look of the chair.  Cypress Adirondack chairs are another popular choice for outdoor furniture.  Cypress wood, like cedar and pine, is durable and rot resistant when properly maintained.

Polywood Adirondack chairs are a modern alternative to wooden Adirondack chairs.  This resin material has a similar appearance to wood, but is more lightweight and requires less maintenance.  While pine Adirondack chairs can be painted, a colored polywood Adirondack chair will have a more uniform appearance since the color is added when the polywood is manufactured.  In addition, polywood Adirondack chairs are not subject to many of the problems inherent in untreated wooden furniture, including corrosion, insect damage and rot brought on by excessive moisture.

The choice of materials for Adirondack chairs is really a matter of personal preference.  With so many options available, there are Adirondack chairs available that will satisfy the requirements of any homeowner.

Tags: adirondack chair, adirondack chairs, cedar adirondack chairs, cypress adirondack chairs, Outdoor Furniture, polywood adirondack chair, polywood adirondack chairs, wooden adirondack chairs

We are so excited to have Pat Sloan guest posting on our blog today! Pat Sloan has been creating since she was a child.  From the first shoebox dioramas to sketches for a fabric line, there has always been creative energy flowing.  When she tried her hand at quilting in 1985, she never looked back.  Now, owner and founder of the quilting design and publishing company Pat Sloan & Co., she has published over 20 books, more than 100 patterns, nearly 10 fabric lines, and has had her work featured in major quilt magazines.

Pat first began sharing her knowledge through her publications, workshops, and lectures, but as expanded her reach through social media.  She has built quilting yahoo groups, forums, facebook communities, and even the group “Quilters in Second Life” for quilting enthusiasts using the popular virtual world, Second Life.  Also interested in beading, painting, and paper crafting, Pat’s overall passion has always been to help others harness their creative energy.

Today, we posted tips for creating a sewing and crafting studio on her blog.  So, she perused out site for what she would use to decorate it!

I’m so excited to be asked to guest blog today on CedarStore.com!  This summer I was part of the Kathy Peterson “Create your own Adirondack Chair” Designer challenge. The challenge was not only fun to do but really showed how easy it is to create your very own CedarStore.com Adirondack chair to fit your decorating style. We had some really amazing chairs come out of the challenge. Mine sits on my front porch and is the official porch visitor chair!

I thought it would be super fun to tell I would ‘Decorate’ that new ‘pool house studio‘ that is over on my blog today.. you know. The BIG ONE! I need lots of great stuff in my studio so I can design and sew and store a few things.

First I’d have to have a nice sitting area. I’ll use it to entertain guests. I’ll sit there to design quilts, and it will be a great place to take a coffee break and read my favorite blogs.  I’ll choose this wicker seating for my studio. I love that the set has a matching love seat, table and extra chair. I think I can do amazing designing in this! Plus I can have friends over to stitch … sweet!

This stack of quilts is currently in my dining room and they really need to be ’shown off’ properly.

I’ll add a Quilt Rack in the corner with my newest quilts displayed.  I’d pick a dark stain to go with the seating area, don’t you think that will look nice?

But you know there are more quilts than on the chair. And of course I have quilts in progress too.

So I think I’ll add a cedar chest to the studio. My living room and dining room are mission style, so I’d like this mission style chest in case I want to move it into the house someday.

Now I need to fix up the functioning part of the studio. A desk for the Sewing machine and maybe another for cutting fabric. CedarStore.com has a ton of table ideas but this one is nice and compact. It is their potting table. I think sewing machine on one table and another for cutting will work out great!

We always need more storage right? I think this classy Cedar Buffet will work for an ironing station and storage, plus I could put an inspiration board on it.. what do you think?

They also have some great Red cedar drawers. You can build your own unit to fit what works for you.  I have a lot of wool and this arrangement would be fabulous for storing it.

The drawers will be perfect for the fabric I now have in baskets. The best part is that you can build it to suit your exact needs, love that!

And of course I’d need a beautiful fan for my studio! I’ve been in love with ceiling fans and have never owned one, so I do think my ‘fantasy studio’ will have a fan like this.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how a Quilter would use CedarStore.com items to build a fantasy studio! Please come over to my blog and see how easy it is to create that studio. Then sign up for my newsletter at my website and join me at Facebook!

Tags: adirondack chair, cedar buffet, cedar chest, kathy peterson, oak chest, pat sloan, Pool house, potting table, quilt rack, red cedar drawers, wicker seating

Because wood patio furniture is more susceptible to damage than other types, such as polywood and aluminum, it’s more likely to end the season with some scratches, chips, gouges, and even burn marks.  Fortunately, you will often be able to fix such afflictions, or, at least, hide them.

Before you attempt any repairs, however, clean the porch swing, patio table, Adirondack chair, or whatever the injured party happens to be.  Start by using a soft, dry brush, to remove dirt, dust, and debris; then smooth out scratches and chips with sandpaper.

Although it’s best to use a product that’s specified as a wood wash, you can clean most outdoor wood furniture with very mild soap diluted in lukewarm water.  Dip a sponge into the mixture, wring out the excess, and gently wipe the surface.  Then, rinse it, blot it with a towel, and allow it to dry thoroughly in the sun before you operate on it.

Superficial scratches are pretty easy to handle, as there are several products made to cover them.  Many solutions can also be found in things that you may already have in your home.  Of course, some of them may sound a bit nutty; for example, you can often rub out a scratch with a pecan (or another nut that has a high oil content), a dab of peanut butter, or olive or vegetable oil.

Another pantry item that can rescue dark wood outdoor furniture is coffee.  Mix one teaspoon of the instant variety with one tablespoon of vegetable oil or water, and work it in gently with a soft rag.  This method can be very successful; but don’t use it on shellac, or antique wood.

Other things that can work well, but which should be tested on inconspicuous spots, are iodine (on reddish finishes, such as mahogany), and liquid and paste shoe polishes.  You can also use felt-tipped markers and softened crayons, and, if necessary, mix their colors to match the wood on your outdoor settee, loveseat, accent table, or whatever you’re mending.

You may be able to fix gouges on outdoor wood furniture with a furniture filler stick, made of wax or putty, and some dark furniture wax, which you’ll find at a wood-finishing supply store.  After cleaning the area with mineral spirits, apply a filler stick that matches the lightest shade of the wood, and then smooth it with a small piece of wood.

Next, buff it gently with superfine steel wool, and then use the dark furniture wax to even out the color.  Because this is a soft filler, it works best on outdoor table legs, the backs of patio chairs, and other parts of outdoor furniture that are not as heavily put-upon as tabletops.

To apply a harder fill, you’ll need a shellac stick, matched to the finish, some superfine, wet/dry sandpaper, mineral oil, alcohol, and a grapefruit knife, or a curved burn-in knife from a supply store.  Apply the shellac by (repeatedly) heating the knife, then pressing it against the stick, to make it melt and drip slowly into the hole.  When it’s filled to just above the surface, smooth it with the knife, and let it cool.  Then, even out the spot carefully with sandpaper and some mineral oil, and use the alcohol to remove the excess shellac.

Because this technique requires a little more skill, you should practice on a piece of junk furniture or scrap wood before trying it.  After all, you don’t want anyone giving you a bunch of shellac for ruining a good porch chair.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor settee, outdoor table, outdoor wood furniture, patio chairs, patio table, porch swing, wood outdoor furniture, wood patio furniture

Remember that one Tuesday morning when I told you I wake up on Tuesday full of eager excitement for Blog Hop Tuesday?  This Tuesday I woke up with a twinge of sadness, as I realized this was the last Blog Hop Tuesday. But, no need to rain on Julianna’s Adirondack parade!

Julianna Hudgins is a well-known mover, shaker and influencer in the creative crafting community.  Adored by fans worldwide, she has built a loyal following through her regular television appearances on QVC craft and toy hours, TNN’s Aleene’s Creative Living, HGTV’s Carol Duvall Show, PBS Scrapbook Memories, DIY Scrapbooking, Discovery Channel’s Home Matter’s, Shop at Home TV, and the Home Shopping Network. Julianna’s sincerity, compassion, and genuine enthusiasm for the creative arts has built a loyal viewing and shopping audience for many years. Julianna was selected by the Craft & Hobby Association to present the latest trends and techniques at the Japan Hobby show in Tokyo, has earned recognition as one of the “Top Eight Scrapbooking Authorities” by the DIY Network and has penned four insightful books on various aspects of crafting.

Known by friends and industry professionals as “Jewels”, Julianna is married to Rich and mother to Josh and her boxer dog, Billybob. She enjoys traveling, making jewelry, shopping and spending quality time with friends and family.

Zebra print and peacock feathers? I’m in– Check it out!

See what Pat Sloan thinks, or hop over to get Julie Fillo’s opinion.  The impatient crafter, Margot Potter, will be giving her two cents, as will the glitter chica Kathy Cano-Murillo.  Plus, Kathy Peterson, who designed the Adirondack chair in the first place, is giving her own commentary!

Tags: adirondack chair, blog hop

Ahhh… Blog Hop Tuesday.  Is there any better kind of Tuesday? Mardi Gras is really the only other Tuesday of note that I can think of.  But, seriously, add a purple, green, and gold color scheme to a hip and unique Mardi Gras Adirondack Chair and I’m set!

Speaking of perfection in color schemes, Margot Potter takes design to an editorial level.  Do you ever see a room, an outfit, or a piece of art that effortlessly tells a dynamic story?  To me, a big wrap-around porch with plush and comfy outdoor furniture always tells the narrative of a hot southern evening eating sweet vanilla bean ice cream and watching fireflies dance.  And, one of the biggest story-tellers in outdoor furniture is color… which is why the Kathy Peterson Inspirations: Outdoor Lifestyles line is so passionate about it.  This blog hop allows five different designers to tell five completely inimitable stories using color and down-right craftiness.

Margot Potter a.k.a. The Impatient Crafter™ is a designer, author, mixed media artist, trash to treasure trover, freelance writer, consultant, public speaker, actor and vocalist and TV personality who creates innovative designs for manufacturers, books and magazines and teaches popular seminars and classes at craft and major jewelry industry events.

She approaches everything with her signature sense of humor, boundless curiosity and copious amounts of joie de vivre because she feels that if its not fun, its simply not worth doing. She invites people to not only think outside of the box, but to tear it up, repurpose it into something fabulous and stand on it to reach for the stars. Shes equally comfortable at the writers desk, in the design studio, onstage or in front of the camera. She’s been a professional performer for twenty four years and a crafty chick since before she was old enough to hold a Crayola®.

So, want to hear (and see!) a simply amazing story?  Hop on over to Margot Potter’s The Impatient Crafter’s Blog for a tale of 1940’s romance told through an Adirondack Chair.  I’m not kidding! Plus, Margot even gives tips and tricks so you can create your own tale from an Adirondack Chair.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the chair.

Tags: adirondack chair, blog hop, Outdoor Furniture

I am positively BUZZING about today’s premier blog hop for Kathy Peterson’s Adirondack Chair.   Our first Adirondack chair comes from Pat Sloan!

Pat Sloan has been creating since she was a child.  From the first shoebox dioramas to sketches for a fabric line, there has always been creative energy flowing.  When she tried her hand at quilting in 1985, she never looked back.  Now, owner and founder of the quilting design and publishing company Pat Sloan & Co., she has published over 20 books, more than 100 patterns, nearly 10 fabric lines, and has had her work featured in major quilt magazines.

Pat first began sharing her knowledge through her publications, workshops, and lectures, but has expanded her reach through social media.  She has built quilting yahoo groups, forums, facebook communities, and even the group “Quilters in Second Life” for quilting enthusiasts using the popular virtual world, Second Life.  Also interested in beading, painting, and paper crafting, Pat’s overall passion has always been to help others harness their creative energy.

As a quilt designer, she designed her Adirondack chair to look like a double wedding ring quilt pattern.  My favorite part about it is that the warm, comfy feeling I get when wrapped up in one of my mother’s quilts is so similar to that relaxed, happy feeling I get when sinking into an Adirondack chair.  It’s the perfect pairing!

She shows you the steps to create it yourself, as well as materials, tips, and cute quips!  Hop on over to check it out!

Click to see the rest of Pat Sloan’s Double Wedding Ring Quilt Adirondack Chair

Have Fun!

Hazel

Tags: adirondack chair, blog hop, Outdoor Furniture, painting, pat sloan, patio furniture, quilts

The Fourth of July is this weekend, so get your grills ready, set up those picnic tables, and reserve your favorite Adirondack chair; and don’t forget to set a place of honor for your most distinguished guest, Old Glory.

Although we’ve already covered some of the rules for displaying and handling it properly, there are still many more.  One states that the flag should never serve as a drapery, such as would be put over a speaker’s desk, or a platform, or be used as any decoration in general.

The flag should never be used in advertising, nor have any advertising signs attached to its staff.  It shouldn’t be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on anything, such as a handkerchief, napkin, or cushion, that’s designed to be used briefly, and then discarded.

Furthermore, the flag should not be used as clothing, or as any part of a costume, or athletic uniform.  However, flag patches can be used on the uniforms of firefighters, police officers, and members of the military and patriotic organizations.

There should never be any kind of mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, number, symbol, or drawing put on the flag, or attached to it.  Moreover, it must never be used as a receptacle for holding, carrying, receiving, or delivering anything.

Apparently, we’ve really strayed from the original tenets of respect for the flag.  After all, it’s used in decorations all the time; in fact, everywhere we look this weekend, we’ll be seeing glaring examples in items such as flag tablecloths, placemats, and napkins.

Certainly, there are tons of red, white, and blue decorations that are perfectly acceptable, even if they have stars or stripes on them, because they don’t depict the actual flag.  There are streamers, balloons, pinwheels, candles, paper and plastic plates, glasses, and utensils, and much more.  You’ll also find red, white, and blue bunting for doorways, porches, balconies, and gazebos (when you hang it, make sure that the blue is on top).

You can also use it as a runner for your outdoor dining table, set over a plain, white tablecloth.  To make it more striking, use solid red napkins, solid blue plates, and utensils in all three colors.  If you don’t want a runner, sprinkle the tablecloth with red, white, and blue glitter, and top it with another, clear tablecloth.

Put red, white, and blue flowers into vases of the same colors for centerpieces, or get some red geraniums, white impatiens, and blue salvia in containers, from a nursery, and group them together in planters.  Place red and blue candles on white trays; they’ll look great in the daytime, and add a festive glow after dark.

Truly, after the sun goes down, you’ll really want things to sparkle, so don’t forget to decorate gazebos, arbors, pergolas, trellises, and trees with red, white, and blue twinkle lights.  For an extra-special touch, get red and blue bulbs for your outdoor lamps and lanterns.

Indeed, there are hundreds of ways to bring patriotic colors to your Independence Day party, while displaying the flag in a proper place.

Of course, that rule about not using the flag in decorations is not the only one that’s been stretched to the limit over the years.  How about the one that prohibits its use in clothing and costumes?  I mean, that ship sailed a long time ago.

Just for starters, I think Uncle Sam has got some ‘splainin’ to do.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, Arbors, Gazebos, grills, outdoor dining table, outdoor lamps and lanterns, Pergolas, picnic tables, trellises