So glad that you enjoyed the Mark D Sikes inspired post from Sunday. There were several requests after that and before to discuss outdoor furniture.
Now, I realize that some of you don’t even have an outdoor space. I don’t. And even when I did, it was the size of a small bedroom. But still, I always had some planters and a little barbecue grill. (charcoal) I miss that.
Okay…
Let’s begin.
Oh, not what you were thinking?
Who here had these on their patio/deck/grass once upon a time? Hands?
And bonus points if you ever:
- Got your hand caught in the webbing
- Fell on your arse because you didn’t realize that the bloody thing wasn’t locked into place
- Fractured your coccyx bone after you fell on your arse
Well, I know that I did the first two of these and probably the third one too.
For the masochistic amongst us, they actually sell these on Etsy!
While there is some cool vintage outdoor furniture out there, it’s not right for the way most of us live.
And apparently, the way we live (according to the furniture catalogs) is to have a second, third, fourth… living room outside.
For outdoor living rooms, there is none finer than that of Mark D. Sikes. His patio is beyond sublime. As you may recall from Sunday, this is where I want to be when I die. That wish has not changed.
And that outdoor furniture!!!
Now, being this is an OCD fool me, I spent an insane number of hours some time searching for the identical pieces.
Did I find them?
No, of course not.
But I came close.
Ya wanna see?
Oh, just shut up Laurel! Of course we want to see!!!
Fine, I’m going to show you. One thing though. Most of this is not in the stratosphere price-wise, but most of it is not the bargain basement stuff I found for you last Sunday. However, there will be some great deals too and lots of great sources.
First, let’s revisit paradise
House Beautiful
This is the original iteration of Mark’s glorious patio from about 5 years ago.
The rest of the photos are from Mark’s portfolio. It’s not to be believed.
He’s been one busy boy and each job is gorgeous!
And how it looks today. Notice how much the ivy has grown!
Zooming in on the Chinoiserie porcelain pieces and spectacular antique patio furniture.
There are two beautifully weathered teak Lutyens benches flanking a grand staircase that goes to__________? That’s fine. I’ll stay there. Even if it’s the garden shed. If so, I bet it’s the most exquisite garden shed on earth!
Here’s Mark pretending to look relaxed on the stairs to my place. I say “trying” because there is no way that this lovely man has one second to stand still!
A shot showing the lovely terraces that Mark created. Genius!
A view from the living room to get a glimpse of the back of the magnificent chaises. If Mark would find someone to copy these and sell them for a tidy profit for under $1,500 each, he could safely retire and then he could relax on his terrace. BTW, he did a real number on this house AND the property.
I learned that on Cote de Texas. Joni did an extensive post on the history of this home including a lot of scary before pics. Click here to see that. (and then come back or read later) It’s a wonderful post!
A shot from the kitchen looking out to the patio. Is it just me? I can feel my heart beating wildly right now! But also notice how deftly Mark integrates the outside with the inside.
CRUCIAL
So how can we get the look?
Money. Gobs and gobs of money.
Sorry, I guess that’s not very helpful.
But all is not lost. We can get the Mark D. Sikes outdoor patio furniture look – pretty darned close.
The beautiful Frances Collection from One King’s Lane
And take a look around, because they have a lot of gorgeous outdoor furniture!
The Avery Collection from Horchow
More pieces from the Avery collection from Horchow
Another great looking chaise is the Sunset West Provence Chaise
It too has coordinating pieces.
The Bridgehampton Outdoor chaise is from Williams Sonoma Home and has coordinating other pieces.
A beautifully weathered teak Lutyens Bench from Chic Teak. It will not look like this when new but over time will turn this lovely ashen color like Mark’s benches.
The Alexandra table is on sale at Horchow for only $697 which I think is very reasonable for this pretty table. There’s a double pedestal version too. It’s not real concrete but it looks pretty smashing to me.
While I think it’s great for the main seating pieces to match, as Mark did, I don’t like to match tables and chairs– ever.
There are many possibilities. We could do iron, a slipcover chair in outdoor fabric or even faux wicker like below.
The Capella Island outdoor synthetic wicker chair from Pier 1 Imports is boss. Did I really just say that? Guess so. But you won’t have to tell anyone it’s from Pier 1. It certainly looks a lot more expensive than it is! Please be sure to check out their other outdoor offerings. They have a lot of great pieces– very affordable, too.
And I adore a little rust in the garden. Old, corroded. Me like. These beauties are from Chairish and could be extra chairs or a little seating area for two with a small table. Or, they would be perfect for postage sized yards/balconies/decks like we had.
Then, we need lots and lots of blue and white Chinoiserie jars, planters, etc.
I found these from Vase and Plate and think that they are pretty smashing.
Couldn’t resist including this shot from Mark’s home, because well… it’s absolutely perfect in every way.
Serena and Lily Chppendale Dining Chairs are new this season. I would definitely use these indoors too! Mark doesn’t have these but I think that he would approve. :]
I love this Moroccan tray table from Pottery Barn and it is quite affordable too.
And below I put most of what’s above and a few other things on a board for you to save to pinterest.
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15
Well, that’s it for now. I have enough furniture for at least one more post. But I’m pleased with how this version of Mark’s patio furniture worked out. Hope that you enjoyed it too!
And if you’d like to see more beautiful outdoor decorating and furnishing ideas, click here.
Of the chaise furniture collections. Do you have a favorite? I can’t decide which one I like best.
xo,
PS: If you’re stumped for a mother’s day gift, there are some great ideas here and here. It’s not too late for most things.
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34 Responses
Hi Laurel! Great post, I just love everything Mark designs and your selections are dead on!
Thanks so much Eva! It was fun to do. In fact, I could sit here all day imitating Mark Sikes. lol
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for helping us to understand how to create an amazing patio that doesn’t look like it came out of the floor display at Home Depot! My husband and I are in the process of buying our first home and I couldn’t have come across your blog at a more opportune time, I’m obsessed.
Thanks so much Ashley. I’m glad that the post is helpful for you.
You’re amazing! You show me this eye candy, get me to laugh and then try offer your ideas! You’ve inspired me in so many ways to make my world more beautiful! Thanks! p.s. Mark should hire you so you both can retire early 😉
Hi Karen,
I’m glad that you think that I’m young enough to still be able to retire “early.” It scares me when I see stuff from the eighties being referred to as “vintage.” lol
I saved that same photo of the patio from 5 years ago. We are all on the same page. I am purchasing black and white sunbrella drapes to shade my deck from the sun. My wicker is brown and the table will be that gray wash. I can’t wait!
Hi Betty,
Sounds lovely! I am wondering if there could possibly be any creature who doesn’t care for Mark’s patio? Like what? Too much green? No fire pit? lol
I’m so happy you gave your advice regarding matching furniture for outdoors.
My husband wants a “set” and I do not. I hope by showing him this article I can sway him away from thinking we need a set.
I don’t have matching furniture inside my home. Why would I want it outside?
Hi Mary,
I think it’s fine to have say a matching chair and sofa or chaise, but that’s all! The rest should coordinate. It’s a much richer look. And yes, it’s the same principle as the inside.
I am madly in love with you, your opinions, and Mark’s house. That’s all. I’m otherwise speechless and basking in the loveliness on my screen…thanks!!!
Oh how darling you are Brooke. I feel that way about some people who are actually doing what I write about. It’s not that I don’t do any of it, but not half of what some people do. I know that they have help and I’m sure a lot of it. I’ve just never been able to figure all of that out. Maybe they hire somebody who figures it out and organizes all of the help? Still it blows my mind.
Hi Laurel:
You absolutely nailed it! He is definitely a top fiver.
And to Lisa, your previous commenter, I have had ivy growing up my home for over two decades and the worst I have gotten is birds building nests.
But then again, I am in Toronto, slightly different breeds of creatures in Hollywood!
Thanks for the lovely posts.
Lisa
Thanks so much Lisa. I think it’s sweet that birds build nests in your ivy.
Laurel,
When I see a new post from you I can’t wait to click on it! Love your blog! Thanks for all of the work that you put into it!
Until next post,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much! I really do appreciate that because it is a lot of work, but most of it I enjoy a lot. It’s a kind of therapy for me too. And it fulfills my craving to create.
Laurel, you won’t believe this- but my local ShopRite(!!!) had a settee and matching chairs that looked like carbon copies of Mark’s furniture- even the cushions were blue! Obviously it wasn’t great quality, but it was so cheap, that if I were in the market, I would have jumped on the set.
Hi Dolores,
Oh, nothing surprises me anymore. (hardly) I tried to find it but didn’t come up with anything. But I believe you! I did a search for Mark D Sikes outdoor furniture knockoff and my post was number one! Too funny!
And I found another terrific shot of the terraces.
I love starting my day with your blog Laurel. Thank you. I will take it all or any of it. Desperate to get outside after a New England winter.
Hi Eileen,
But then you have the paradise of summer with the ocean breezes wafting your way… One fun thing for me is that I get to pretend that everything I’m blogging about is mine.
I remember shortly after I began my business 21 years ago! My wasband and I took out a small home equity loan so that we could finally do something to our home. First thing was to rip out the disgusting rose-colored wall to wall crap and put down a wonderful hard wood floor. Then we had the guys put up crown moulding and wainscoting. And finally put up some moulding and painted the almond kitchen cabinets a soft white. I was floating on a cloud for months on end…
I’ve been looking and looking, but most of what is popular here in Canada is the woven-look outdoor furniture. This won’t work for my deck as we get needle drop every fall from the larch trees and I have no desire to pick needles out of every nook and cranny of woven furniture, that would be absolute torture. I love this look! I found a conversation set at Lowe’s by Allen and Roth that mimics this and currently on sale for$699 CAD. It will be a great starting point.
https://www.lowes.ca/outdoor-conversation-sets/allen-roth-norland-4-piece-patio-conversation-set_g2767707.html
Hi Shawna,
I here ya about stuff getting caught in the weaving– not to mention that if nothing else, it is more of a maintenance issue as dirt collects in there too. Of course, with outdoor furniture, all you need to do is hose it off.
The kind of outdoor furniture that makes me nuts has way too many curly cues and isn’t really iron and doesn’t even try to look like it. But that’s how I feel about some indoor furniture too. One can’t go wrong with classic—ever, IMO.
Nice furniture for the money. Can be dressed up with some cool outdoor pillows. There are so many now in the marketplace.
inspirational, Laurel!
The thought occurred: you would make a great detective. ( or should that be sniffer, dog ?)
the way you track things down is amazing.
I think Mr Sikes will be very flattered, that you have managed to echo his style, & may I say not in a shy way, to make it attainable for us mere mortals.
To think you did all this, & did it your way.
Thank you.
Jo.
Hi Joanna,
Haha! I do say that about myself that I should work for the FBI. It seems to come naturally to me and I enjoy the hunt.
I hope that Mark is flattered and not rolling his eyes, like who’s this bimbo-blogger? Of course, it’s through my filter, but my ideal aesthetic is the same. He’s a designer I would have no problem saying to, “just do it.” Come back after a 6 months… ahhh… heaven!
Dear Laurel,
You did it! What an amazingly quick response after your last Mark Sykes post. Thank you so very much. You’ve provided me with lots of options for my new home. Its a Federal style and does have a lovely sitting porch. Now I can dress it in style! I love the Provance style and mixing table and chair styles.
You rock! Thank you for your hard work!
I appreciate you!
Mary b
Hi Mary,
Oh wonderful! Federal style homes are my favorite!
I live in Dana Point, California and sometimes I run into 4 legged creatures that are little lizards and I squeal in old school style and they run and hide. Thank goodness! But let us move on to this blog. Thank you for sharing how we can decorate our own humble abodes with ideas from those out there who are so wonderfully in touch with balance, proportion, and surprise elements. That’s what I love about Mark Sikes. What I admire most about your blog is your Nora Ephron writing style re decorating and your generosity to share this to all of us! Seriously, only BFF’s share which styles of shape wear actually work! Your sharing and writing style is fun, entertaining, and informative. You need 30 more sponsors and more. I am a loyal Nora fan so this compliment to you does not come lightly! I will watch her films over and over just to get more decorating inspiration. Thank you and never stop sharing!
Hi Lin,
Oh my! That is a tremendous compliment to be compared to the great Nora. I too love her writing. She left us way too soon! :[
I’ve been thinking a lot about Mark’s work and why it’s so appealing. He’s like the missing link that bridges tradition with contemporary. It’s like he has given a whole new generation the idea that it’s cool to go trad. And for those of us who are already there, his work is like a shot of Adrenalin straight into our souls.
He’s still so young so we have much to look forward to in the years to come.
Thank you so much for writing a Blog and for your crazy humor. I laugh a little w/ each and every post. OH – and I purchased my own Mother’s Day Gift – a copy of Beautiful: All American Decorating and Timeless Style by your fave – Mark D. Sikes. I think I’m gonna LOVE it, too! Blessings & Happy early Mother’s Day to U!
Hi Terry,
It’s a gorgeous book and good for you for getting it for yourself. I think that’s the best way! Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
I just discovered your website (or discovered again because some of your older posts look familiar) and I just love you! Great advice/tips! Thank you. 🙂 I look forward to your posts.
Thanks so much Claudia and welcome back!
Hi Laurel,
I have seen these beautiful before and after photos of Mark’s home and garden, and yes, it’s fabulous. I am wondering about his ivy covered walls, especially the ones on the exterior of the house. They are gorgeous, but wouldn’t they be an invitation to some unwelcome four legged creatures? (You know the kind I mean.) Every time I see beautiful climbing vines on a home exterior, I can’t help but wonder how the homeowner deals with this problem. If you or any of your readers know something that I don’t, please enlighten me. Thanks!
Lisa D.
Hi Lisa,
That’s a very good question. And I’m not sure, but the thought is pretty horrible. But… Mark lives in Hollywood. I don’t think they allow four legged creatures there. Plenty of two-legged though. lol