outdoor furniture

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Sat May 26, 2012 7:38 pm

Here is the (interior) lounge chair designed by Wright for the house. The dining chair is more upright, with a vertical leg.

Both pieces appear in this photo:

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Sat May 26, 2012 8:38 pm

Actually the hassock looks as if it spent time outside. Possibly in the Lani? The open miter joint, patina, nicks etc.
The chair is a good looking form but I feel an out door chair needs arms, for comfort and support. A place for an afternoon sandwich, beverage or a book and or i-pad.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Sat May 26, 2012 8:45 pm

Funny, isn't it -- there are no tangible differences in use between indoor and outdoor lounge chairs -- yet we expect the outdoor chair to have arms, don't we . . . ?

Perhaps each chair, indoor and out, needs . . . one arm ? Or a side table/footrest option ? Hmm . . .

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Sat May 26, 2012 9:10 pm

Dtc....tell me about the triangular planter...love it. Copper liner?...young Japanese maple..bloodgood?..looks perfect...you make that?

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Sat May 26, 2012 9:52 pm

Kevin,
The planters are still in the prototype phase. They are made out of Cedar and instead of a copper liner I used an EPDM liner with cut holes for drainage.

The finish planters will be made out of Meranti also known as Red Phillipine Mahogany, the wood used at the Dobkins.
I made the planters and grew the Bloodgoods from seed. I would guess they were 2 or 3 year olds when we acquired the Dobkins 15 years ago.
They are top pruned 2 to 3 times a year with annual root reduction each March.
So they are young...17 years or so old and the trunks are reaching a reasonable, handsome girth.

SDR,
Sounds like you are on to something...go for it!

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Sun May 27, 2012 12:21 pm

The planter is lovely....there are many sheets of unfinished mahogany plywood sheets that Bob had that were slavaged...you give me ideas..
Japanese maples seem so at home in a Wrightian landscape..and in planters..I have 2 bloodgoods, 3 Sango Kakus, a few unidentified green acer palmatums, 2 lace leafs , and a Kamagata dwarf that I have picked up in the past year....they are my latest healthy obsession.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Sun May 27, 2012 1:42 pm

I was hoping to find that I could grow Japanese maples indoors. I went up to Napa County to visit a specialist. The wife cautioned against trying them indoors; the husband later said the opposite. Any ideas there ?

SDR

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Sun May 27, 2012 1:57 pm

Try growing a Japanese maple indoors. If the wife is right, it will die; if the husband is right it will live.

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Sun May 27, 2012 7:42 pm

Japanese maples like most hardy trees and shrubs (along with pines, junipers, hemlocks etc.) need to go dormant in the winter months.
About 6 to 8 weeks below freezing temperatures. If left in small shallow trays and or pots they will need some protection...like in a cold frame.
Large or small plants can be removed from their pots and planted directly in the ground to protect them in winter.
Early next spring root prune, and position them back in their pots.

If kept indoors they will die.
SDR,
The wife is correct...do not try to grow them indoors. If her husband suggested the opposite he is no expert.

Jeff Myers · Post by **Jeff Myers** » Sun May 27, 2012 8:42 pm

Our Japanese Maple originates from the mountains of Japan. Last years blizzard we had worried it would die but it still lives and is thriving more so now. It depends on the species of the Japanese maple, I think.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Sun May 27, 2012 9:41 pm

Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate the information.

SDR

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Tue May 29, 2012 10:05 am

Discussing outdoor furniture for Wright homes I can't help to think of Wright's metal glider at TW.
I do not know how others feel about it, but I find it absolutely wrong, out of place to say the least. It always reminded me of Grandama's porch furniture.

And painted White...could not thing of a more inappropriate color.

Someone have a pic of it to post?

dtc · Post by **dtc** » Tue May 29, 2012 10:15 am

gwdan,

Another consideration for GW would be to look at the Palmer home with its built-in bench at the carport area and one at the main terrace. I'm sure there is a seed of an idea that you could adapt for GW.

Jeff Myers · Post by **Jeff Myers** » Tue May 29, 2012 12:00 pm

DTC: I guess the set didn't come in Cherokee red.
on another note
I find it coincidental with the topic of outdoor furnishings and have been working on a sunroom interior design for a few weeks. Grant it my parents house is not Frank Lloyd Wright or anywhere close to it I did try to inject his influence of design into the sunroom but to no avail.

Good Luck to you gwdan on furnishing the Lanai.

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Tue May 29, 2012 1:17 pm

dtc, I was thinking about the idea of a bench, as well. A design simple in the extreme, scaled to align with the lowest batten, upon which myriad pillows and cushions could be piled. That, plus a single chair, would be adequate. But not built in; free standing.