The outdoor sofas we ordered a few weeks ago arrived the day before we left for Pittsburgh. As much as I wanted to bust them out of their boxes and arrange them on the newly finished deck, I knew them sitting outside for 10 days, unused, didn’t really make a ton of sense. So as soon as we got home, they were on the top of the list–and they’re just what we hoped they would be!
Those clean lines and warm wood slats–mmm! Each sofa took about 20 minutes to assemble. It wasn’t complicated, just took a little time. After we put them together, we had a seat to test them out. The cushions aren’t ones that you sink into–they’re definitely firm with a little bit of give. Time will tell if they break in eventually, but neither Chris nor I minded the density. They feel comfortable for lots of outdoor chats. If anything, I feel like the shape will last longer!
We got a really great deal on these Memorial Day weekend, but I just checked and they are discounted and World Market is doing free shipping on orders over $150 with the code WMFS1502 if you are interested.
Once we had them put together, we sprayed the cushions down with this outdoor ScotchGard (even if they are meant for outdoors) and placed them facing each other right in the center of the deck. I took the photo below standing at the back door.
If you squint, you’ll be able to see the fireplace we have plans to build right in between the two, where the deck forms a U shape. No? How about now:
I’m not the best at photoshop mockups, but hopefully this will give you an idea of where we’re headed. This is actually the amazing Jenni Kayne’s fireplace made out of reclaimed board-formed concrete. Ours will likely not be this color, but I’d love to try something similar! We’re going to tackle it ourselves over the next month, so stay tuned for that project soon.
In the meantime, we’re glad to have some extra seating out here for a big family BBQ we’re hosting this weekend for Father’s Day with Chris’s family. With our 8 chairs around the dining table, the small outdoor loveseat from Crate and Barrel and these 2 sofas, we might have enough room for all the Marcum adults. Ha!
Ever built an outdoor fireplace before? While there are hundreds of tutorials for fire pits, we are struggling to find examples for fireplaces, but anxious to figure it out just the same.
Do you remember how many boxes the sofas shipped in? Was assembly difficult?
I believe it was 2 boxes. Assembly took about 35 minutes each.
I didn’t comment when I first read the post, but I can’t help myself :) My husband works for this company that manufactures smokeless firepits: http://www.rethinkingfire.com/
I know you’re planning to build a fireplace – which sounds AWESOME – just something to check out if you ever get bored. :) I want one so bad…*nags husband*
It is really starting to take shape … so much space to work with :)
I do have a question (because I know it would bug me), does it bother you that your neighbor’s fence is different from yours (style, height, etc.)? I know it is something that is out of your control, but were you planning on using boxwoods or something to hide it? Or is this something that you don’t mind since they are at least both white? Just curious :) Happy summer!!
It’s not my favorite. But you know when you don’t like something and then you find out how much it would cost to change it and then it’s like “well, it’s not that bad.” Hahaha. We’re at that point. We will fill it in with some boxwoods or something to disguise it, but like you said, at least they are both white!
Beautiful sofas. I really like the simple square shape and the wood slats are perfect!
Have you considered ‘outdoor gas fire table’ for in between the two sofas? Although a fire place would look great visually, it doesn’t create a lot of warmth for cooler evenings. A friend who owns a gas fire table hosted a dinner party earlier this spring. We all were able to sit out on the deck around her gas fire table for hours :)
See, Chris’s brother in law has a gas fire table and we have to be sitting on the edge to feel anything at all! Maybe something is up with his. We’re kind of sold on the fireplace idea since we built the deck around the placement of one, but it’s good to know there are other great options out there.
I love that you guys are planning to build an outdoor fireplace! I think they’re gorgeous and would love to add one to our backyard someday. For now, I’ll be happy with just getting a fire pit!