The Great Outdoors
I think we can safely say that spring is here in Lisbon at last… Or did we skip it and jump straight into summer? Certainly, it feels warm enough to wonder! And even if that’s a stretch, it is definitely warm and sunny enough to lure us outdoors again and prompt us to think about our outdoor spaces... The spaces we frequent, the spaces on our doorstep and the outdoor areas around our home. I had the most beautiful walk around Jardim da Estrela the other day and it was so nice to connect with the tropical plants under a clear blue sky.
In other news, closer to home, my much less exotic north-facing terrace is finally seeing the sun again… At first, it was just a fleeting corner a couple of weeks ago. Blink and you might miss it but to me, it presented a small herald of hope! And that herald has since expanded into a full shard of sunlight that sticks around for a little while now. Oh what a welcome feeling it is to wear clothes that are splashed in sunshine and fully dry again! Fully dry within hours, I might add. Eventually, the shard of sunlight will inch its way across the whole terrace and dwell from morning into the afternoon and I will wish I have a parasol out there if I don’t prepare now. And so, I have turned my attention to garden furniture… This is the year that I will make the most of my outdoor space. And while I am still on the (garden!) fence about which style direction to go in, I would like to share some of what I’ve found… There is so much to choose from. You could go full on boho or minimalist or add bold statements to your green space with sculptural blocks of colour. I’ve done a broad sweep of what is available online - from Portuguese retailers as well as further afield. It always helps me to break things down into edits when making choices. And I hope it helps you too!
Rustic Minimalism
This is the type of garden furniture that whispers its gentle presence in ivory canvas and muted tones. Natural materials such as clay, wood and rattan, accented with nature’s grassy and earthen hues… Soft, organic lines, subtle elegance through a mastery of the art of quiet understatement, these pieces are designed with the intention of blending into natural surroundings. Adding comfort without the need to distract or outshine.
From Top Left to Right:
Brina Modular Garden Set from Sklum | Lorent Two-Seater Sofa from The Masie | Papasan Chair from La Redoute | Brescia Chaise Lounge from Beliani | Concrete and Acacia Wood Planter from The Masie | Hazan Recliner in Nori Green from The Masie | Uxue Round Outdoor Cement Table from The Masie | Gubi F-Chair from Area | Dandara Side Table from Kave Home | Noli Parasol from Kave Home | Raffles Sofa from Area | Tintarella Lounger from Area | Gubi Bohemian 72 Ottoman from Area | Set of Two Cement Plant Pot from The Masie | Numea Side Table from Area | Muimui Polyresin Table from La Redoute | Ice Bucket by Giobagnara from Fashion Clinic | Charlot Exterior Chair by Sika Design from Fashion Clinic
Boho Charm
Add notes of interest to your outdoor space through woven textures, unexpected colour combinations and shiny objects. Natural materials such as rattan, wood and ceramics pave the way. This is an eclectic laid back style through which you can enjoy treasures you have collected from far-flung lands over the years alongside contemporary finds. Take a playful approach. It is about self-expression and adornment without being too precious.
From Top Left to Right:
Córdoba Mosaic Balcony Table from El Corte Inglés | Hanging Chair from La Redoute | DHATU Outdoor Rug from Maisons Du Monde, | Aarons Parasol from Area | Portitxol Modular Chairs from Kave Home | Kampala Table from El Corte Inglés | Fringed Beach Chair by Business & Pleasure from Westing | Glaze Planter from Area | Corniche Chair from Area | Mesquida Ceramic Table from Kave Home | Macramé Cushion from La Redoute | Yamir Pouffe from Westwing | Acacia Service Cart from El Corte Inglés | Green Capitu Chair by Tramei from Fashion Clinic | Olivia Exterior Sunbed by Sika Design from Fashion Clinic | Suria Cushion from Westwing | Acacia Wood and Recycled Resin Rattan Garden Furniture Set from Maisons Du Monde | Pineapple Jug by Ichendorf Milano from Fashion Clinic
Retro Pop
This is perhaps, the most fun approach to decorating your outdoor living space. Bold colour blocks in classic retro hues. Think of holiday photographs from the1960s/70s - there is a warmth and strong presence of primary colours but they have faded over time. Dulled down but still unmistakably there and comfortingly familiar. Stripes, block pattens and utilitarian modern materials such as metal mixed with a sense of age-old crafts - artisinal tiling and cerramics… This is a style that invites nostalgia and joy and who isn’t here for that this summer?
From Top Left to Right:
Airel Garden Furniture in Terracotta Steel from Maison Du Monde | The Belgian Fouta Towel by Libeco from Fashion Clinic | Parasol in Ochre by Hay from Smallable | Sao Antao Furniture Set from Maison Du Monde | Bistro Metal Chair in Frosted Lemon by Fermob from Finnish Design Shop | Lemon Plate from Moopi | Saya Round Table from Westwing | Long Outdoor Pouffe by Nobodinoz from Smallable | Week-end Double Sofa in Pastel Green by Petite Friture from Finnish Design Shop | Velvet Beach Towel from Westwing | Dendi Ceramic Coffee table from La Redoute | Lupin Jar from Cerâmicas na Linha | Hand-Painted Coral Serving Plate by The Ottomans from Westwing | Sandel Rectangular Pouffe from Sklum | Pomegranate Ceramic Plate and Serving Dish from Moopi | Vilara Deck Chair from Kave Home | Chop Table in Ultramarine Blue by Philippe Malouin from Finnish Design Shop | Clara Cabanon Chilienne Deckchair by Les Toiles du Soleil from Fashion Clinic | Soft Spot Circular Lamp by Rosendahl from Finnish Design Shop | Leros Lamp from Kave Home
