by Furnishly | Apr 7, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Outdoor entertaining season is upon us, and I for one have been dreaming about a dinner party under the stars for the better part of a year. I’m talking a glowing-bistro-lights, family-style-eats, Nancy Meyers type of dinner party. The only problem? I will have absolutely zero places to seat my guests.
You see, durable (and stylish) outdoor dining sets are kind of hard to come by. I live in New York, so I need something that’s easy to store for the winter season or a design that can hold its own against the elements (or both, honestly). I’ve long been a fan of Outer’s attention to detail and quality, and when they launched their aluminum seating collection earlier this year, I thought to myself, “Hmm, if only that came as a dining table.” Well, here we are — I’m pretty sure they read my mind.
For those not in the know, Outer is an AAPI-founded brand that focuses on creating durable, sustainable, and design-forward pieces that elevate even the most average backyard space into something that’s truly resort-worthy. Many of their collections launch to rabid fanfare, often selling out within 48 hours, and I’m positive their latest (and first!) dining collection will be no different. The best part? It’s designed in collaboration with one of our favorite pros, designer Bobby Berk from “Queer Eye.”
Bobby worked with Outer to design a versatile dining collection that is just as beautiful as anything made for indoors, but the pieces are able to hold their own against rain, sun, and more, all with Outer’s signature stylish flair, of course. The collab is centered on two of the most durable materials out there — teak and aluminum — and boasts super-smart features that add to its durability and flexibility. Let’s dive into the details, shall we?
The collection touts two nearly identical teak and aluminum dining tables: one sized for six people and the other with hidden leaves that allows it to fit up to twelve dinners. The black metal framing is made from 100 percent recyclable powder-coated aluminum that is temperature controlled to deflect sunlight and stay cool under even the hottest conditions. The teak is sourced from FSC certified fields in Central Java, where three the company plants three trees for each one harvested. Each table comes with the brand’s waterproof OuterShell cover that spreads easily overtop and saves you from one of the most annoying aspects of outdoor dining: dirty elbows and hands from grody tables (thank you, Outer!).
And because what good is a table without chairs, Outer’s new director-style dining chairs are the perfect complement. Each one is made from teak and metal and covered with durable all-weather fabric that repels water, resists mildew, and stands up to the sun, heat, and rain without fading. You can buy the chairs as a duo or as a set of six alongside a dining table for a $750 discount (nice!). One thing’s for sure: You’re going to want to move fast on this stylish collection, because if Outer’s previous launches are any indication, this outdoor dining set won’t be in stock for long.
by Furnishly | Apr 7, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
East Fork, one of our readers’ favorite pottery studios, is back at it again with a gorgeous new glaze that will put you right in a spring mood. Their most recent seasonal glazes have included the opulent Rococo that was perfect for the holidays as well as the moody Black Mountain for a bold backdrop to any meal. And, in addition to these limited releases, the brand even brought back one of their most popular glazes, Utah, which you can still get your hands on.
Now, in honor of spring, they’re launching Fiddlehead, an earthy green that will instantly make your table look bright and welcoming. East Fork will be releasing Fiddlehead today, Apr. 7, at 11 a.m. ET, so get ready to set your alarm. Like the rest of the East Fork glazes, you can expect to see Fiddlehead across all of their pottery offerings, including cups and mugs, plates, bowls, sets, and of course, the fan-favorite The Mug.
As we’ve come to expect from the beloved Asheville-based pottery studio, there’s a ton of inspiration behind the creation of the Fiddlehead hue. They write on their website that it’s a reminder of the “tender ferns that break free of the winter ground,” ready for spring, filling you with “a fresh breath of ease.” The color also perfectly complements the natural speckling of the pottery’s iron-rich clay, which peeks out along the rim and on the base of certain pieces.
Because there’s the entire East Fork pottery collection to shop this new hue in, we’ve selected three of our favorite options that we think would make great additions to your collection, starting with The Mug. This drinking vessel has a following online (just search #themug on Instagram!) as well as a fan club among our editors, too. Kitchn Senior Commerce Editor, Danielle, said that she’ll never go back to another mug after trying it.
“With a 12-ounce capacity, a thick handle designed to feel like an extension of your hand, and substantive, chip-proof construction, this is the only mug I want to use every day for my morning coffee or afternoon tea,” she said. Leave it to East Fork to put intention behind every inch of this piece!
There’s also the Everyday Bowl that will quickly become your go-to piece of dinnerware. It’s one of those bowls you can use for just about anything, from cereal and yogurt to salads, pasta, and soup. If you wanted to invest in just one East Fork item, the Everyday Bowl is a great option.
If you really want to embrace this new shade, investing in the Dinner Set is the way to go. It includes a dinner plate, a side plate, and the Ice Cream Bowl, and is perfect for accommodating dinner, lunch, and snacks.
With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fast approaching, now is the time to invest in a few East Fork pieces in the newest Fiddlehead glaze as a thoughtful gift. It’s in stock through June, so make sure you buy it before it’s gone!
Erin Cavoto
Commerce Writer
Erin writes about all things shopping-related for The Kitchn, including highlighting small cookware brands, testing cool products, or scoping out need-to-know sales. She’s also a regular at the Trader Joe’s cheese section and has a never-ending supply of tea at home.
by Furnishly | Nov 9, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
We’ll get straight to the point: When it comes to restaurant-quality knives, Made In is a cut above the rest. We’re already big fans of their Santoku-style knife (amazing for fall veggies) and their gorgeous cleaver (the kitchen tool you never knew you needed). But one knife is edging out the rest to earn top billing on our wish lists: Made In’s limited-edition Yanagi Knife.
Knife jokes aside — we do try to keep our puns sharp — this graceful tool just might be Made In’s best item yet. The knife, which retails for $199, is a marriage of style and function, making it one of the most giftable kitchen tools we’ve seen this year. Like all of Made In’s products, the Yanagi was designed with chefs in mind (sometimes, Made In even partners with pro cooks to design their tools).
It’s truly a work of art, with a thin, 9.5-inch blade and a handle unlike anything we’ve seen. The handle, which is made from non-slip wood, is a delicate swirl of blue-green patina known as verdigris. It’s artistic and unique; something even the most prolific knife collector will find enticing.
But looks aren’t even the half of it: This is a true professional’s knife, priced for us mere mortals. It’s crafted with sushi and sashimi in mind, with a single bevel blade that’s ideal for precision cuts that ensure no bit of fish is wasted. Trust us: If you’ve been sawing away at fish or meat with a dull blade, you’re going to be amazed at how clean these cuts are. But you don’t have to be a sushi enthusiast to appreciate this knife. Its superior edge can be used for carving meat (hi, Thanksgiving turkey) or slicing the perfect steak. We’re definitely gifting this to the kitchen nerds on our lists this holiday, but whether you’re giving or just want one for yourself, don’t wait to snap one up. Like all of Made In’s limited-edition, chef-worthy products, this stunner of a sushi knife is sure to sell out. Consider that a hot, err, tip.
Buy: Limited Edition Yanagi Knife, $199
Rochelle Bilow
Contributor
Rochelle Bilow is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, the former social media manager at Bon Appétit Magazine and Cooking Light Magazine. She has also worked as a cook on a small farm in Central New York, and a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City. Connect with her @rochellebilow.
by Furnishly | Oct 1, 2021 | Design Inspiration, Style
Annie Burdick
Contributor
Annie Burdick is a writer and editor living in Portland, Oregon. She has written for numerous websites, magazines, and anthologies on wildly varied topics. She is also the author of two nonfiction books, Unconscious Bias and Bring the Wild into Your Garden, both being published in 2021 by an imprint of Hachette UK. She spends most of her spare time reading, playing with her dogs, and seeking out new adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
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