otice how we always talk about working, not relaxing, in the garden? It is possible to make your own back yard a refuge from the outside world, but to do so you need to create a comfort zone, settling into an Adirondack chair with a book or stretching out for a nap in a lounge chair.
Atherton residents Gene and Chuck Pratt enjoy their garden to the fullest through a series of garden rooms they have created on their one-acre property. They eat breakfast at a metal French cafe table in the kitchen garden, then have the option of lounging in chairs around the swimming pool. A wisteria-covered arbor defines another garden room where a chandelier hangs above a casual dining table providing evening lighting.
Further on in the garden is a two-sided fish pond on a flagstone terrace, which has willow furniture arranged in a conversational grouping.
While few of us can duplicate the Pratts' garden rooms, we can create our own back yard comfort zones. Local stores are filled with many options for outdoor furniture, ranging from metal and cast resin to wood. Wood furniture is attractive and blends into the garden, but it needs to be rugged enough to survive the outdoors.
Teak, the yellowish-brown hard wood that comes from East India, is the favored material for most upscale outdoor furniture. Smith & Hawken Ltd. at the Stanford Shopping Center has one of the largest selections, ranging from tables and benches to lounge chairs. The furniture weathers to a soft and silvery gray and is guaranteed to last for 75 years. A rocker is priced at $795; a 5-inch cottage garden bench is $629.
Smith & Hawken also carries a cedar Adirondack chair ($245) and footrest ($95). The classic Adirondack chair has both comfort and style. Its wide arm rests allow space for a drink and a magazine. The tilted backrest and reclining seat make relaxing easy. According to Smith & Hawken, "The furniture draws its design from the great old family camps in New York's Adirondack Mountains where porch sitting and lake watching evolve into an art form."
The store says the unfinished cedar never needs sanding, sealing or painting.
A handsome hand-carved redwood bench ($795) that weathers into silver gray is available at the Filoli Garden Shop at the Woodside estate. Strong and decay-resistant, redwood is one of the most popular woods for outdoor living. The Garden Shop also carries a white-painted Adirondack chair for $425.
You can visit the Garden Shop at Filoli without a reservation. Just inform the attendant at the front gate you're there to shop.
Pool Patio 'N Things, 3295 El Camino Real, Atherton, has a wide selection of outdoor furniture. The Tropitone line of metal and vinyl web furniture includes several styles of glass-top umbrellas tables and matching chairs. Handsome dark green "wicker" chairs with flowered cushions by Lane Weathercraft are actually made of vinyl. The chair ($649) would withstand the sun and rain much better than traditional wicker.
The store features Gloster's teak collection with a 6-foot bench at $879; the 4-foot bench is $349. An Adirondack chair with ottoman is $595; a chaise lounge with wheels, $739.
A 25-inch hammered bronze round metal cafe table ($189) and two chairs ($120 each) by Woodward would fit onto the smallest patio and add a touch of Parisian pizazz.
The store's selection of Woodward wrought iron furniture took me back to my mother's screened-in porch in Wilmette, Illinois. A Briarwood model round mesh umbrella 48-inch table with four matching chairs is $649.
Karen Froniewski is the new owner of Nature's Alley at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park, taking over the business Dave and Jan Brees operated for 22 years. Although she has only been in business since June 1, she has sold three Grayson hand-carved redwood 42-inch garden benches at $795. She also carries cement benches made by New Florence Italian of Hayward, ranging from $175 to $250.
Another new Menlo Park business owner is Lori Truett, who opened Addison-Fields home and garden at 2091 Avy Ave. a few months ago. The shop is filled with unusual items, including an oversized hand-made bent willow club chair ($275). Ms. Truett buys from a willow maker in the Carmel-Big Sur area who also creates chaise lounges, swings and rocking chairs.
Pottery Barn's late-summer catalog has painted outdoor furniture on sale. The Adirondack furniture collection is made in the United States of solid aspen. The chair is $169; footrest, $99; and a 55-inch bench, $399. Cushions are extra and assembly is required.
Cost Plus outlets have outdoor furniture on sale with an outdoor umbrella table made of Indonesian nyatoh wood for $129. Matching folding club chairs are two for $69. A steamer lounge, with included cushion is $199. The furniture, which needs to be assembled, ages to a silvery grey if left untreated.
It's already mid-summer, so grab a chair, go out in the garden and smell the roses. The weeds will wait.
