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.

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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.

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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.

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The Adirondack chair is an iconic symbol of outdoor living in America.  This rustic wooden chair originated in the town of Westport in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.  A man named Thomas Lee, who summered in Westport in a home named Stony Sides, needed more outdoor seating for his large family.  In 1903, he fashioned a comfortable chair from wooden slats that featured a slanted back and wide armrests.  His created several versions of his new chair to accommodate his family of 22.

Lee shared his new chair design with a local Westport carpenter named Henry Bunnell, who realized that the simple wooden chair would have a universal appeal.  Unbeknownst to Lee, Bunnell patented the chair design, calling it the Westport chair.  He constructed and sold Westport chairs for the next 25 years.

In the years since Thomas Lee devised his distinctive chair and Henry Bunnell profited from it, the Westport chair evolved and came to be known as the Adirondack chair.  There have been many variations on Lee’s original design.  Other outdoor furniture makers experimented with the number of slats used and with the chair’s proportions and silhouette.  Throughout the years, however, the essential features of the original chair have survived.

Today, a wide variety of Adirondack chairs and other outdoor furniture pieces are available, including settees, rockers, gliders and love seats.  The Adirondack style continues to be one of the most popular for outdoor furniture.  Its wide seat and slanted back are perfect for outdoor relaxation.  The wide armrests from the original Westport chair, which are well-suited for holding food and drink, still appear in many Adirondack chairs.

Henry Bunnell used hemlock when building his chairs since it was readily available in Westport.  Hemlock is not known for its durability and is not often used for outdoor furniture.  More durable types of wood are now used for Adirondack-style furniture, including cedar, pine, eucalyptus, cypress and teak.  Synthetic materials are also used to create lighter Adirondack chairs with increased weather resistance.  Folding Adirondack chairs that can be easily transported to the beach or taken along on camping trips are also available.

For over a century, the rustic charm of the Adirondack chair has made it one of the most popular choices for outdoor furniture.  The Adirondack chair is a true American classic that will never go out of style.

Tags: adirondack chairs, folding adirondack chairs, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor seating

This is one of those robust, autumn days, which separates the true players from the amateurs, as the trees compete to see which one can hold onto its leaves the longest.  In fact, with today’s 50+ mph winds, it’s all that they can do to keep from losing their branches.  Heck, even the birds are having difficulty hanging onto their limbs – er, the trees’ limbs, that is; not their own.

Yes, the whipping winds are sending showers of foliage and rain flying in every direction; and, every once in awhile, a bird that has been swept off a branch comes swirling by in a cascade of leaves.  Now, the only reason that I find this amusing is that the birds quickly regain control of their own navigation systems.

Most of them retreat to the security of my arbor, or one of my trellises, and plot new courses for their chosen destinations.  Interestingly enough, even amid the blustery torrent, they are not deterred, but are even more determined, to reach their objectives, which, more often than not, are my birdfeeders.

You know, I really admire the way that they can pull themselves out of tailspins.  I mean, even I had a rough time fighting the currents when I went out to keep my patio furniture from becoming airborne.  Luckily, my oak picnic table remained steadfast; but, as a precaution, I put the picnic table benches, and the aluminum patio chairs, into the garden shed.  A few outdoor accent tables and ottomans had gotten blown around a little; but, because they’re made from everlasting polywood, they were unscathed.

I was also impressed by the tenacity of my outdoor furniture covers.  No matter how fiercely the wind tried to rip them from the porch glider and Adirondack chairs, their heavy-duty ties and Velcro® closures held fast.

After I was satisfied that everything was secure, I noticed something that was actually quite at home in the tempest.  There, atop the cupola on my shed, was my trusty eagle weathervane, looking as dignified, graceful, and majestic as ever, with nary a ruffled feather.  That’s not surprising, though, as there’s a certain nobility about all weathervanes, which, most likely, comes from their long, proud, and colorful history.

After all, they once served an important purpose.  Long before people were able to turn on their radios or televisions, and get forecasts from meteorologists, armed with the latest in sophisticated technology, weathervanes were the foremost tools of weather prediction.

As a matter of fact, it is believed that the very first weathervane was created in 48 b.c., by the Greek astronomer, Andronicus.  Back then, wind gods were big; and there is archaeological evidence that they were often featured on the weathervanes that adorned the homes of wealthy Greek and Roman landowners.

Although we no longer need them to keep us apprised of impending climatological changes, we still love weathervanes.  Attractive, charming, and whimsical elements of our outdoor decor, they now come in dozens of shapes, including horses, pigs, cows, arrows, mythical creatures, angels, and eagles.  Of course, one of the most popular of all time is the rooster; and that’s another bird that can really hold its own against high winds and heavy weather.

Indeed, like the ones in my backyard, it has a lot of pluck.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, aluminum patio chairs, arbor, birdfeeders, cupola, eagle weathervane, garden shed, outdoor accent tables, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture Covers, patio furniture, picnic table, picnic table benches, porch gliders, trellises, weathervanes

I must say, those birds really know how to party, for they are not only hardy, but hearty.  Although it may be rainy and cold, from Cardinals, to Chickadees, all remain bold.

Braving the elements, they come out to feed, on millet and nyjer and sunflower seed,

Devouring it all, to the last crumb of suet; and it’s just so amusing, watching them do it.

Yes, the birds continue to gather in full force today, despite the nasty turn the weather has taken.  Of course, it’s no surprise, because that’s just what wild creatures do.  However, they can always use a little help, especially during the winter; and, in return, they will provide a source of constant entertainment.

So, if you’re going to put up some birdfeeders, whether they’re tube, hopper, platform, hanging, or post-mounted types, it’s important to situate them properly.  Naturally, they should be placed where you and your friends will be able to watch the flying circus when you’re outside, relaxing in your Adirondack chairs.

On the other hand, for more than one reason, they should be kept at a respectable distance from your patio chairs and picnic table.  For one thing, birds won’t come around if you’re hanging out too close to the birdfeeders.  For another, obviously, you won’t want them, uh, loitering, on your outdoor furniture.

Now, there’s no way to avoid the occasional airstrike (shall we say?); but that’s going to happen, whether you’re feeding the birds, or not.  In fact, one of the good things about having birdfeeders is that you have some control, as you can contain the largest concentration of bird activity in the area of your choice.

Mine are on the perimeter of my patio, at the edge of the woods, which is the perfect spot for them.  Although the birds land everywhere, including on the patio furniture, they bounce around so quickly, that they rarely stay in one place – except at a birdfeeder – for more than a few seconds.  Anyway, I don’t have to worry too much about it, because I have some very durable outdoor furniture covers that are easy to clean.

Birdfeeders – and birdhouses – should also be placed near sources of shelter, not only from the wind, but from predators.  At the same time, you’ll want to be able to observe them from inside your home.  So, pick a location that’s near the house, and a few feet from shrubs, vines, or even a brush pile, where they can escape from prowlers; but make sure that it won’t make a good hiding spot for potential attackers.

If you keep your birdfeeders no more than five feet away from a window, birds will be less likely to fly into it.  Then, if they do, at least, they will not have built up enough momentum to seriously injure themselves.  The chances of such accidents will be further reduced if there are curtains, blinds, or sun-catchers visible in the window.

Indeed, the birds will appreciate anything that you can do to spare them the pane.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, birdfeeders, birdhouses, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, patio furniture, picnic tables

Everywhere you look, you can see the unmistakable signs of the end of summer.  For one thing, all of the retail stores, and even the supermarkets, are loaded with autumn outdoor décor, such as scarecrows, fall wreaths, Indian corn, pumpkins, and the like.  However, those are not the things that I’m talking about, as I never take my cues from retailers.  Heck, they’re always well ahead of the actual seasons; in fact, before the end of this month, they’ll be completely decked out for Christmas!

No, I’m referring to the natural indications, which include cooler temperatures, the goldenrod that’s blooming, the leaves that are just beginning to drop, and the woods, which are starting to smell like fall.  Mind you, I’m not complaining, because this is my favorite time of the year, as it is for many others.  The only thing that some people dread about it is that the weather will soon be turning much colder, which means that they have a lot of chores to do, in order to prepare their homes and yards for the months ahead.

For those who live in regions where the winters are harsh, these tasks may include putting their outdoor furniture into their garages and garden sheds for storage.  If you’re in this group, remember that, while this is an important step in protecting your patio furniture, you shouldn’t rush into it.  After all, summer’s not quite over, and there’s still plenty of time left for outdoor living.  So don’t tuck those porch swings, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, grills, and outdoor sofas away under outdoor furniture covers just yet.  They can actually help you to enjoy the grandeur of the season.

Sure, the best way to experience nature’s full splendor is to get right out there, into the heart of it all, and immerse yourself in autumn’s magnificent shades of gold, crimson, russet, and orange.  Indeed, there’s nothing like taking a brisk walk in the woods, inhaling the crisp, cool air, and being dazzled by the awesome foliage, or enveloped in a shower of brilliant leaves.  You can also take a ride in the country, pick a pumpkin from a patch, build a bonfire on a chilly evening, or dive right into a pile of leaves.

Of course, for most people, these aren’t exactly everyday activities; they’re more along the lines of weekend adventures.  That’s why it’s a good idea to leave outdoor furniture in place for as long as possible.  Whether in your backyard, or on your porch, deck, or gazebo, it can provide prime seating for the spectacular show that’s going on all around you.

So, take advantage while you can.  Have your morning coffee at your outdoor dining table or bistro set.  Pretend it’s still July; throw some burgers on the grill and eat dinner at your picnic table.  If you’ve been taking in the sights and scents of your garden from your porch glider or garden bench for the past few months, continue to do so; it takes on a whole, new beauty in autumn, especially if you’ve planted some fall-blooming flowers.  On a warm afternoon, lie in your hammock, where you can look directly up and see the sun gleaming through the multi-colored leaves.

Truly, if you want to get the most out of this breath-taking, yet fleeting, display, wait until the last bit of color has vanished before putting your porch furniture away.

Now, if you live in a place where the weather stays warm and sunny all year long, I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to deal with that!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, garden bench, garden sheds, grills, hazebo, outdoor decor, outdoor dining table bistro set, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor sofas, patio furniture, picnic table, picnic tables, porch furniture, porch glider, porch swings

Naturally, most of the people who are hosting Labor Day cookouts will have made meticulous preparations to ensure that there will be ample food, drinks, and tableware for everyone.  They will also have music and lawn games planned in advance; and if people are going to be swimming, they will have lounge chairs by their pools, and extra towels in their pool houses.

Undoubtedly, they will also have places for everyone to sit and eat comfortably.  If their picnic tables are not large enough to accommodate everybody, they will surely have outdoor settees, Adirondack chairs and chaise lounges with wide armrests, outdoor accent tables, and even ottomans, where people can set their food and drinks.

While this is the ideal scenario, in reality, there will be many not-as-well-put-together get-togethers, because a lot of people will decide to have parties at the last minute.  After all, there are those who like to, uh, fly by the seats of their pants, as I believe the expression goes (you know, I’ve never quite understood where that saying came from; but one of these days, I’ll get to the bottom of it!).

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with doing things on the spur of the moment; actually, sometimes, that’s when you have the most fun.  So, if you suddenly decide to invite people over this weekend, don’t worry about things being unplanned.  Even if you never entertain, and you don’t have a lot of outdoor furniture – or even a picnic table – you can always use a table from your house, and scrape up some folding chairs.

Once you have your friends together, simply add some food and a grill, and it’s a party.  But, wait!  What if you don’t have a grill, either?  That’s okay, too, because you can make one on the spot.  Just take some cinder blocks, and stack them, at least a foot high, in the shape of a ‘U’ on a patch of concrete or bare ground; then put a rack on top of them (your oven rack will do), and start cooking.  In a pinch, you can also use an old, metal wheelbarrow with a rack across the top.  That should really get things rolling!

Just as there are several creative ways of getting the festivities started, there are many techniques for getting the fire started.  For example, a half-gallon waxed milk or juice carton makes an excellent disposable starter.  Just fill it with charcoal briquettes, and set it aflame; the container is easy to light, and will heat things up quickly.  You can also use a brown paper bag, filled with charcoal, twigs, and pieces of paper.

To make a reusable starter, use the sharp end of a bottle opener to punch triangle-shaped holes around the edge of a large coffee can, and remove the bottom with a regular can opener.  Then, place the can in your grill, open side up, put in some scraps of wood and paper, fill it to the top with charcoal, and light it through the holes at the bottom.  After the briquettes get hot, use tongs to lift the can and spread the coals.

In any situation, there are ways to improvise.  Mind you, I’m not saying that they will always amount to gracious living; but they don’t always have to.

The important thing is to have a fun – and safe – holiday weekend.

Happy Labor Day!

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, grill, lounge chairs, ottomans, outdoor accent tables, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor settees, picnic table, picnic tables, pool houses

This is one of those strange weeks, when some prominent beginnings and endings converge, causing a mixture of excitement, wistfulness, anticipation, and melancholy to permeate the air.

First of all, we’re nearing the end of summer, and the indications of fall’s imminent arrival are getting stronger.  In my case, I’ve noticed that my outdoor dining table, patio furniture, and hammock are getting covered with leaves; and when I sit on my porch swing, I’m looking at brown, wilted vines on my arbor and trellises.  I try to tell myself that the leaves are dying early because of the abnormally hot, dry summer, but the truth is hard to deny.

Well, actually, it’s impossible now, because I recently spotted some goldenrod, which is one of the surest signs of autumn.  Then, I saw something else (which, coincidentally, is the same color as goldenrod) that left no doubt about what time of the year it is.  Yes, it was a school bus.

Indeed, that’s one of the things that is fueling this blend of emotions that seems to be affecting everyone right now.  After all, to kids, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they dread.  At the same time, to adults, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they love.

On the other hand, nearly everybody is looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend.  Because it is widely considered the last blast, and the unofficial end, of summer, it naturally conjures some feelings of sadness.  Still, it is enthusiastically welcomed by kids, who have been working so hard in school for a few days, as well as adults, who have been working so hard all year long, with only a few, brief breaks.  So, it’s an occasion for all to celebrate.

Of course, some people aren’t exactly sure what, or why, they’re celebrating; and many don’t really care, as long as they get a day off, and a chance to use their grills, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs.  First observed on September 5, 1882, in New York City, Labor Day arose from the labor movement, as a tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers, and their contributions to the country’s prosperity.

The second Labor Day was held exactly one year later; but, in 1884, the first Monday of September was chosen for the holiday, and the Central Labor Union, which started it, urged similar organizations in other cities to mark it as well.  The idea took hold, and, in 1885, it was observed by many industrial centers across the nation.

In the first proposal for the holiday, it was suggested that it should include a street parade, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of workers and their families.  In the ensuing years, different states adopted it, one by one, before Congress passed an act, on June 28, 1894, declaring it a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

So, take full advantage of summer’s last hurrah, by making it a full day of merriment and revelry.  Have a cookout, relax in your favorite porch chair, go swimming, play some lawn games, such as volleyball, croquet, or quoits, and watch some fireworks.

Remember, it’s your day, and you deserve to enjoy it; and, no matter what, don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about making your outdoor furniture and grill work so hard on a holiday!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, arbor, Croquet, grills, hammock, lawn games, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chairs, porch swing, Quoits, trellises