Taking Neutrals Outside

Several weeks ago, we shared with you one of the trends The New York Design Center identified in outdoor lighting. There were other categories of design elements the survey unearthed, each equally important to completing a thoughtfully conceived exterior space. These include neutral color palettes continuing to dominate outdoor design with occasional pops of bold, vibrant hues. Let’s take a look at some of our offerings that help when taking neutrals outdoors.

Taking Neutrals Outside

“My clients are increasingly becoming adventurous with their outdoor spaces, requesting the same chromatic color palettes we establish inside the house to the patio and garden,” said Margaret Daniel of Margaret Daniel, LLC. “Vivid greens, blues, and touches of pink and orange feel timeless on teak and wicker furnishings. I love it!” We couldn’t agree more: Here are some of our ideas for taking neutrals outside, and a few choices to add pops of color at the end of the post.

The Hidcote Console Table is made from the traditional technique of faux bois perfected by the French, which involves hand-applying concrete over a metal frame. This concrete demi-lune in a warm faux bois natural finish can be placed indoors or out. There are a number of pieces in the Hidcote collection, including large and small accent tables.

The Jessamine White Accent Table has a surface that is studded with beautifully fashioned white flowers, which makes it a truly artisanal piece. Rather than apply one type of bloom, a number of floral shapes are intermingled to give the white decorative table charm. The handmade character of the piece comes from the fact that each flower is created individually and applied, one-by-one, by hand. The white accent table will be a lovely piece in a room. This table also comes in pale blue and white.

The Cusani Ivory Terrazzo Stool, which is new, is made of concrete in an ivory terrazzo finish, the combination making it both sleek and durable for outdoor rooms set within terraces and loggias. The ivory stool, shown above in front of the Carson tables in front of a dynamic Thibaut wallpaper, is created in a mold so it is solid and sturdy. The concrete is mixed with tempered glass fibers that read as soft amber and metallic flecks embedded in the surface, which adds a hint of glint to this sleek piece.

The Desy Vintage Terra Planter Set, which is new, includes two pots that look time-worn tanks to the antique sand finish resulting in a dry, crusty surface. Though they read to the eye as round, the swirls in the profile of these tan planters give them an organic feel and the fact they are made from composite makes them easier to move around. Both planters have a drain hole, though the vessels do not come with plugs.

The Beaujon Dining Table, shown here with the arm and dining chairs at the Atlanta History Center, is made in the time-honored artistry of French faux bois. The legs are fashioned to resemble slender saplings that gracefully angle up to its top to convince the eye that nature created them. Durability makes this faux bois table, made of concrete in a faux bois natural finish, perfect for the outdoors, though it will look lovely indoors, too. We also have the Beaujon as a cocktail table, a bench, a side chair, and an armchair.

The Carson Ivory Terrazzo Bench, which is new, is made of concrete in an ivory terrazzo finish, the combination making it both sleek and durable for outdoor rooms set within terraces and loggias. The ivory bench, shown in front of the console table, is created in pieces in a mold and then built so it is solid and sturdy. The concrete is mixed with tempered glass fibers that read as soft amber and metallic flecks embedded in the surface, which adds a hint of glint to this sleek piece. We also have an accent table and a console table in this family of products.

The sturdy Arbor Chair, which is just as durable in the garden as it is indoors, is made in the time-honored artistry of faux bois. The concrete chair has a steel frame covered with cement in the classic rustic style sculpted to look like tree branches. There are several pieces in the Arbor family of furnishings, the bench a bestseller.

The Harlow White Concrete Accent Table, which is new, is handcrafted from concrete that is covered in a white acrylic finish. It will withstand weather so it's ideal for outdoor rooms set within terraces and loggias. The crispness of the finish also makes this a modern patio table perfect for homes with contemporary leanings. The white garden table has a fluted edge around its top to bring the piece an uptick in personality. We also offer the Harlow as a cocktail table.

The Bosco Accent Table is a weather-worthy offering joining our concrete furniture lineup with cleaner lines. It is made of steel that has been dexterously covered in concrete to make this a weighty and earnest table for the home or garden. The Portland finish on this concrete occasional table will make it durable when placed out of doors.

The lovely Oyster Shell Large Bird Bath combines uncommon materials and a whimsical design to transform the humble oyster shell and unrefined concrete into a functioning outdoor art piece. All of our concrete bird baths in differing sizes are in a natural finish, including bird baths in medium and small.

The Luzon Console Table has a frame and stretchers fashioned to look like sticks, the table joining our faux bois lineup. Made of concrete in a Portland finish, the cement console table is definitely weather-worthy. We also offer the Luzon as a bench, which is shown above with the table—the image illustrating how our outdoor faux bois can look just as beautiful indoors.

And for those pops of color:

The So Nouveau Pink Accent Table, which is new, is made of terracotta in blue, pink, black, rust, and yellow pops of color. It belongs in the Art Decoratifs, or Art Deco, category thanks to its strong hues and graphic qualities. The elegant multicolored accent table has a shape that will add interest to its spot in a room. Because this colorful table is hand-painted, it is an artisanal piece and the patterns may vary slightly from table to table. We also offer it in a blue and teal version.

The Capizzi Blue Drip Urn, which is new, helps bring the garden indoors (or enhance outdoor spaces). The urn has a strong Mediterranean vibe. Inspired by classic shapes that have been staples in Italian gardens for centuries, the blue garden urn has pitting in its terracotta surface to create the feel that it, too, has been tucked away in the landscape for ions. This is a large blue garden vessel with no drain hole.

Keeping it Neutral

In his trend predictions for into 2025, our Vice President/Creative Director Cecil Adams identifies “all things in a warm neutral palette and natural materials.” This includes a darker interpretation of neutrals. He adds, “Warm colors plus earthy tones like greens and browns will be in the mix.”