When looking for outdoor furniture inspiration, it may seem natural to draw inspiration from patios, porches, or terraces. However, in my case, I found what I was looking for inside: In Reese Witherspoon's sun room, to be exact.
Reese's charming space blurs the lines between indoor/outdoor living seamlessly. The earthy mint-green color scheme complements the surrounding greenery, seen through the large window panes, ensuring it feels like a transitional space that offers respite from the sun over summer. There's a lot to admire in this sunroom, but her white wicker love seat stole my attention.
Rattan and wicker pieces first surged in popularity in the late 1950s and 1960s, when they became a popular feature of the modern American home. However, today, they are arguably more fashionable than ever before, and Reese's endorsement only emphasizes this further.
Part of their eternal appeal comes from versatility: Impressing both indoors and outdoors, where it can withstand the elements. Reese's love seat is one of the most perfect pieces I've seen to date, and I'm desperate to recreate the look for the summer.
Shop the look
Much like the wicker love seat in Reese's sun room, this piece has a breezy, laid-back look that is just as perfect on a Hamptons coastal-style patio as it is inside a Tennessee sun room (shout out to Reese). Its cushions and complimentary throw pillows are upholstered in weather-resistant fabric to ensure longevity and comfort.
This beautiful woven chair has a vintage-inspired coastal look that makes it right at home on any white or cream painted patio or terrace. It's thoughtfully designed with a curved silhouette, sloped arms, and a slightly angled back, marrying comfort and style.
Velvet and fringe are a super luxe combo. Just throw a couple of these on your wicker love seat or accent chair, and it will instantly look elevated. There are a few colors to choose from, but this muted limey green is so similar to the tones we see in Reese's space.
As Reese demonstrates, wicker pieces will always have a place indoors, but when it comes to outdoor furniture, it's hard to beat. According to Sue Jones, the creative director and co-founder at OKA, these organic pieces will bring a sense of 'quiet luxury' to your patio. The secret to sucsess is in the material and the styling.
'I think, first and foremost, the goal of a minimalist, 'quiet luxury' garden is to create a feeling of comfort and tranquillity. Garden furniture made from rattan or wood lends itself quite nicely to this aesthetic because of its organic textures and neutral colour palette,' Sue says.
'To add a touch more luxury (and who doesn’t want to do that?), I’d suggest choosing furniture with a statement weave or a striking, structural shape. Don’t forget to add softness with cushions or throws in muted, warm tones such as ochre or mustard – they will tie in well with the neutral palette.'
It's everything I want for my patio this summer. Will you be following Reese's example too? Let me know in the comments.
