As temps get higher, many outdoor furniture stores are offering discount sales, so now's the time to pick up those pieces you've been admiring to enjoy today and into our cooling fall weather.
Here's an alphabetized list of the Top 10 places CultureMap recommends for a stylish backyard setting, from high-end contemporary for lavish lawns to more affordable bistro sets for that apartment patio.
Cantoni
9889 Westheimer, 713-787-9494
Discover Cantoni's Outdoor Collection in wovens, teak, stainless steel and glass in modern shapes and sizes. Maui chairs in bright all-weather wicker bring a definite design statement to your yard, while Mykonos loungers with wheels are subtle in matte white powder-coated aluminum frames with white mesh sling-backs and seats.
James Craig Furnishings
4500 Washington Ave., 713-741-2266
Whether it's for fine teak garden benches, seats and tables (think Gloster and Kingsley-Bate) or colorful, fun pieces (like Seaside Casual), James Craig Furnishings offers a range of outdoor products for every lifestyle at its Washington Avenue gallery. The independent store, founded in 2006 by James Keathley, continues to showcase top designers in its contemporary take on traditional and transitional furnishings
JANUS et Cie
3935 San Felipe, 713-621-5950
With 90 percent of the store's inventory available for retail, JANUS et Cie's high-end indoor and outdoor furnishes are shared with the public, among the lucky architects, landscape and the city's design players. Celebrating its first birthday in Houston this month in its new location in River Oaks (JANUS et Cie was previously at the Decorative Center Houston for nearly a decade), the 7,000-square-foot showroom is filled to the brim with walls of chairs, topiary arches, oversized umbrellas and luxury lounge furniture.
Kuhl-Linscomb
2424 W. Alabama, 713.526.6000
Kuhl-Linscomb is the city's only official source for Dedon, one of the most inventive, playful and flat-out fun outdoor furniture design houses — and that's just one reason why you should go to K-L. From the famous island-like Orbit loveseat, complete with canopy, pillows and easy gliding casters by designer Robert Frinier, to the new Swingrest by Daniel Pouzet, the ultimate hanging lounger, Dedon continues to set the bar in al fresco decor.
Modani
5370 Westheimer, 713-622-2900
Modani's modern outdoor furniture ranges from modular to whimsical, particularly the "Queen of Love" baroque-inspired chairs of polyethylene. Another popular item is the Love Seat, a luxurious half-circle section with room for three people — plus a retractable roof for shade. The Canopy Bed takes relaxation to another level as an outdoor bed in synthetic rattan material woven as the base and tall bed posts.
Patio 1
Several locations, 713-977-4455 (Galleria-area store)
Patio 1 is booming now with in-store and online sales. And beyond the usual offerings of tables, chairs and loungers, the chain extends its outdoor selections to include outdoor fireplaces, fire tables and fire pits.
Restoration Hardware
4030 Westheimer, 713-328-3100
It's all about customization at Restoration Hardware, where shoppers choose from four metal, four all-weather wicker, three all-weather rope and two teak finishes — plus cushion options in 123 different fabrics — to create their outdoor living spaces. Just visit The Gallery at the Highland Village location and peruse the 7,000-square-foot rooftop garden showcasing the store's collections of outdoor and garden furnishings, with teak finds prominently on display near the grand entry.
Roche Bobois
4810 San Felipe, 713-629-0442
Roche Bobois is a playground for innovative design, with most of the furniture designers being architects first and furniture designers next. New to the Houston showroom floor this summer: An indoor/outdoor collection, Escapade, featuring three-seat armless couches and adjustable back rests covered in bright solids and floral patterns in a waterproof material by Papavero Outdoor.
Target
Several locations, 800-440-0680
Target is Houston's only source for a longtime patio and garden favorite, Smith & Hawken. Check out the Threshold mix-and-match collections, too, in metal, wicker and a combination of the two materials. You'll also find everything from traditional Adirondack-style patio chairs to contemporary bistro sets in bright colors. Look online for a large selection of shade structures. Standard shipping is free with any $50 purchase.
Thompson + Hanson
3600 W. Alabama, 713-622-6973
A favorite shopping and lunching spot (Tiny Boxwoods) for Houstonians, and housing a fantastic landscape architectural firm, Thompson + Hanson also offers one-of-a-kind outdoor furniture pieces, most of which are purchased in Europe. Think hand-carved limestone tables and all-weather wicker chairs from Belgium. The store is a treasure trove for fine accents, including premium Italian terra cotta containers, antique oil vases, and, a most popular item, Anduze pots, planters and urns from France.
The latest Daniel Pouzet-designed lounger for Dedon, the Swingrest, available through Kuhl-Linscomb.
