Fun enamelware, loungy seating, and more outdoor gems
My mind is in full summer mode.
Hi all!
Spring has been showing off here in Portland. Lately, I seem to be spending most of my weekends happily working away in my yard. Between pruning and weeding, I’m also dreaming of sprucing things up with new outdoor furniture and decor (retail motivation, folks). From a groovy hammock to splashy (and smash-proof) dinnerware to the perfect outdoor sconce light, here are some of my favorite finds to get us all prepped for summer in a snap.
Ready?
Furniture & Decor
Topping my list is the collaboration I never knew I needed: Dusen Dusen x Fatboy. I’ve always loved Dusen Dusen’s bold, graphic prints; now I can get them on my outdoor furniture. I imagine napping on this hammock or sofa all summer long.
I’ve been wanting to upgrade my collection of lounge chairs for one epic sofa. A front contender: the Perch sofa from Blu Dot. I like the mid-century look and the mix of wood, metal, and upholstery. The FSC-certified teak is strong, dense, and—along with the Sunbrella fabric and aluminum frame—naturally durable against outdoor conditions.
More from the looks-good-and-wears-well department: Hay’s Balcony collection. The large-scale perforation not only offers a cool decorative moment but also doubles as drainage.
Beach crowd-goers, front lawn people watchers, nostalgic design lovers of all stripes: May I introduce our new folding aluminum chair. She’s lightweight, rainbow-hued, and cute as a button.
I dream of getting a cedar-clad, wood-fired hot tub from Canadian brand Goodland to tuck under the lilac bushes in our backyard. I need to save my pennies for this one. But I love the thoughtful design, natural wood exterior, and unplugged functionality. No need to maintain a chlorine hot tub—this style unboxes and is ready to go. You just need to light the fire, sink in, and stare up at the sky.
Another splurge-y item on my wishlist: BZIPPY ceramics. You can get lost in their quirky shapes and glazes. I’d place one of their pots on my front porch, or a little table next to my outdoor lounge chair.
Lighting
With outdoor lighting (like any lighting) it’s important to think about the space you are trying to illuminate, whether it’s your front door, house numbers, pathway, patio, etc. In my back yard, I opted for outdoor-rated cafe string lights to add some ambience and a soft glow. For my front door, a sconce that casts the light downwards is perfect; I can see my keys in the dark but it doesn’t create too much light pollution to disrupt neighbors or wildlife ecosystems, like migratory birds. I recommend our Allegheny sconce for a streamlined modern look, or the Factory sconce for something a bit more industrial. Think about the style of your home, as well as the scale of your front door, to find a light that is complementary.
Dinnerware
I love to eat lunch outside when I'm working from home and starting to plan for all the summer parties ahead. If bringing your breakable glassware and dishes outside stresses you out (hi), then enamelware is a great option. I have a few Crow Canyon pieces and absolutely love them, so I've got my eye on their fun Rainbow Falls collection. The multicolor flecks remind me of rainbow ice cream sprinkles! Another go-to: the classic Dansk pitcher for serving drinks or holding florals in mid-century style.
When I went to L.A. a while ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Hollyhock House. It was my first time touring a Frank Lloyd Wright home (after years of studying his work) and I was immediately struck by his vision, his sensitivity to the natural elements, and his total control of concept.
Hollyhock House was built between 1919 and 1921, and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Wright described the style as “California Romanza” (wowza) and borrowed from Mayan, Aztec, Asian, and Egyptian references. In a nod to the original owner’s love of the property’s namesake hollyhock, Wright incorporated an abstract floral motif that can be found throughout the stonework, stained glass, and textiles. His hollyhocks reminded me of the blocky, geometric world of Minecraft (yes, I have a 9-year-old son)—so linear and rigid they almost lost a connection to the lissom blooms that inspired them.
While the forms are incredibly structured, the flow of the space brings some much needed softness to those harsh lines. Wright’s genius comes through the feeling that the home is… breathing. The layout pulls you through smaller corridors into larger open areas, like an inhale and an exhale, expanding and contracting, over and over again.
Wright adeptly drew on the elements to enhance the feel of the house. The center point—a massive stone fireplace in the living room—included, not surprisingly, fire, but also had two reflecting pools on either side. Every room has access to the exterior, thanks to a series of courtyards, terraces, and breezeways—and there is a strong connection to the outdoors. Between hallways, I noticed a built-in planter in a corner with a small window that provided airflow for the plant. (I had "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire—my favorite wedding dance party song—on repeat in my head while walking around.)
It was wonderful to experience a home so thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly with nature. While the style was exacting, there always seemed to be a breeze passing through to soften the precise geometries. An enlightening exercise in seeing how we can bring the outdoors inside in clever, impactful, and unexpected ways.
To the Brim!
This packable sun hat—handmade by local Portland milliner Brookes Boswell—magically folds in half and rolls up like a newspaper when you’re not looking fabulous wearing it.
How are you sprucing up your outdoor spaces?
Katie xx
Even tho summer is not my season, this made me excited that warm days are here….that hot tub!!
Omg this is exactly my dream outdoor space (Dusen Dusen courtyard plus soaking tub plus foldable hat and colorful enamel)