Hula Outdoor Chair, Grand Rapids Chair Co.
Church.Design asked designer Lisa Masteller, owner of Sassafras Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina, to offer up her top two seating recommendations for outdoor spaces—options right for church projects.
Hula Outdoor Chair | Grand Rapids Chair Co.
The stylish, rounded, perforated metal chair provides a comfortable seat that allows air to pass through, keeping people cool in the warmer months and lending excellent "wet to dry" capability for church operations staff.
Hula comes in 27 colors, can stack four high, and comes in both bar stool and counter options.
Hula Outdoor Chair, black, in regular and barstool
Masteller advises, "When looking for outdoor furniture, you need to identify a few things to make sure it stands up over time. Think about the location, for how much direct sunlight, as well as wind factors in your outdoor seating areas."
Whether designers and church clients choose steel, metal or teak wood options, Masteller says it's important to consider these factors when picking outdoor furniture: cleanability, bleachability, colorfastness, and stackability.
The Surprising Chair in yellow, from Fermob
Surprising Chair | Fermob USA
Fermob USA is a wholesale distributor for Fermob French outdoor furniture, lighting, and accessories. Its modern, colorful options are found in parks and public spaces where people enjoy gathering.
As Masteller notes, its slim, European build is iconic to many markets, including cafes and parks. "With wide metal bands for both the seat and the back, the Surprising Chair delivers a clean, linear look without being stuffy," she finds.
The chair, made of laser-cut sheet steel with a steel rod frame, is available in 24 colors and is able to stack 10 high.
Of either option, Masteller says, "Because both companies work with high-volume commercial and hospitality spaces, you can see where the average church facility would benefit greatly from their professional products' comfort, durability, and longevity."
