Whew, renovating our house has been a journey over the past three years but we’re almost at the finish line in terms of renovations. Well, as ‘finished’ as a house can ever be — to me they are always evolving! It’s exciting to finally be able to enjoy the house my heartmate and I have worked so hard on. One of the areas that didn’t get much love until a year or so ago (aside from putting in the pool) was the backyard. In the past twelve months, we made it a focus of our efforts: from planting a new privacy hedge of arborvitae trees to revelling and turfing the majority of the backyard ourselves, it’s been a labour of love for sure! With the yard landscaped and the new wraparound deck completed, it was time for my favorite part: furnishing and decorating it all! Today’s post is the first in a series revealing the completed backyard areas that I had a blast furnishing as part of a collaboration with Design Within Reach and their Finn dining collection. Today, I’m sharing the new outdoor dining area. OK, let’s dive into all the good stuff!
Looking down on our new outdoor dining area 
The Finn dining table
Scandinavian Design
I remember being delighted to discover Design Within Reach when I first moved to America because I was finding it hard to source a lot of the work by Scandinavian designers that were more readily accessible when I lived in the UK. Throughout the design of the existing beach house, I weaved Scandinavian design into an over-arching coastal palette. However, with our new home addition – the “Scandi barn” – I wanted to explore my love for the Scandinavian design more explicitly. Now that construction is able to begin again I can’t wait to be able to finish those new interior spaces — expect interior updates very soon!
Look at the gorgeous shape of the Finn dining chair – obsessed! 
I love any opportunity to style a summer tabletop
Danish Designers
When it came to furnishing the outdoor spaces I knew I wanted to continue the Scandinavian theme. No surprise then that I instantly fell for the Finn Collection by Norm Architects. Danish designers Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn named their company Norm to express their dedication to “working with Danish norms and standards refined over hundreds of years, rather than rejecting them in the endless search for new.” I’ve admired their work and their focus on detail and tactility for many years, and have collected several of the pieces they designed for menu in my home over the years. They also designed a really beautiful kitchen for Reform that I’ve saved to my inspiration folder multiple times. So I’m so excited to now enjoy their quietly stylish and functional designs in our new outdoor dining area with the Finn dining table and Finn dining chair.
I love how the teak in the Finn collection brings warmth to the grey cedar deck and shingles. There’s a beautiful tactility to it that softens the form. I also love how only what’s needed is there: the slim profile on the seat cushions not only looks modern and clean but it’s so comfortable, too. It would have been tempting to make them seem super plush for the sake of it but there was no need to do so as it wouldn’t have actually added physical comfort to the design. I really admire that — and it’s a commonality I see across much of their work. Plus, the white seat cushions pair well with the white powder-coated aluminum Sommer console, which offers much-needed storage now we can utilize the outdoor area of the house. Come dusk the PC Portable lamp brings a cozy glow to the whole area, too. I feel so grateful to be able to enjoy this new area of our home and I’m excited about the memories that will be made with friends and loved ones around this very table.
I love the modern Scandinavian vibe 
The Sommer console table provides dining storage
Time for a dinner party! 
I love this grouping of modern planters
Photography and styling by Will Taylor
21 Comments
Will-
This looks incredible! The more I look at it, the more I want to come visit (With Brandon, of course) and bring some chips and guac. It’s so summery, perfect and heavenly 🙂
Great job, as usual!
@Kevin – Thank you so much! I’ll put the wine on ice!
Will this is absolutely STUNNING!
@Krissy – Thank you 🙂
Crazy you’d post this because I’ve been eyeing the sofa from that same collection for my backyard for a month or so now. Good to know the chairs are comfortable because I wasn’t sure from looking online. Thank you for this post it’s been helpful.
@Rob – I’ve not sat on the sofa before but I can tell you hands down that the dining chair is *the* most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat on! So glad it was helpful!
Will, this is my dream. I love every detail. Please come design my house! xo
@Susan – Haha why thank you!
The furniture and whole set up looks amazing. Beautifully styled as well.
– J
@Justin – So sweet of you to say. Thank you!
Love it. Can you sit more than 4 at that table or not?
@Kate – Yes it can seat six comfortably and I’d say you could squeeze eight if you needed to on occasion too!
Okaaaaaaaaay this is IT!!!! I’m coming over for cocktails and dinner!! 😉
@Quincy – Cheers to that!
Will!
This looks so inviting and cozy. You did an amazing job. I agree that the table is perfect for this space. On Instagram you asked us about the teak… I’d oil it to keep it the warm color it is now.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Jen
@Jen – I’m leaning towards oiling it too. Thanks for the lovely comment!
I have that small lamp too! I love how it has different light levels. Looks great on the side table in your pictures.
@Amanda – It gives off such a soft light, I love it!
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I would want to get this kind of set up to my outdoor space. But the problem is.. I don’t have any outdoor space hahaha. I guess, when I get one, I will be inspired decorating it to just be like this.
Every piece of outdoor furniture and decor you’ve handpicked is just awesome! Congratulations 🙂