French Chic

It’s patio season! So I was on high alert for great outdoor furniture while walking the aisles at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York. Colour is a big story this year in all areas of design, which the brilliant offerings at Fermob helped confirm.

You may have already sat in chairs or eaten off café tables by the France-based company without knowing it: their furniture decorates such public places as New York’s Times Square and Bryant Park, the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris and the Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes.

I wanted to wear an Hermes scarf and sip Kir Royales while lounging on the new two seater bench in the mod Sixties collection. I was told the two-tone woven polymer seat and aluminum frame is being issued in white-on-white now; existing colour combos include aubergine and gum, grey and slate, savanna and lichen, and paprika and saffron.

For a classic bistro look, the romantic scrolls on the 1900 chair are extra charming in bright green, ocean blue or sunny yellow. And how is this for cool: it also comes as a hanging armchair. Yes please!

Hitting on the colour blocking trend, the folding Latitude bistro chair features a removable upper band that can be switched up to any colour you choose. My pick: orange and pink, one of summer’s sweetest pairings.

For more great picks, see our High & Low Patio Finds gallery.

Photo credits:
1-5. Fermob