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It’s that time of year when many of us start to think about getting our gardens, terraces or balconies ready for the warmer months ahead, and today I’m excited to share some inspiration for minimalist outdoor furniture in collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn.
Our garden is very much a work in progress, but it’s fairly quiet for a city location and, as it faces south-west, it catches the sun for most of the day. It’s also something of a mini wildlife haven, and the resident birds, bats, foxes, frogs, dragonflies and butterflies are always a joy to see. In spring and summer, we tend to spend most evenings and weekends out there, and it’s almost become another room of the house. That means the furniture we choose for it is just as important as the landscaping and planting, and the ideal pieces need to balance aesthetics, comfort, practicality and durability.
Step forward the ‘AH’ outdoor series from Carl Hansen & Søn. Designed by Danish architect Alfred Homann (1948-2022) shortly before he passed away, it combines functionality with a timeless, minimalist expression that suits a wide range of garden styles. It’s made from FSC-certified teak – a strong hardwood whose natural oil content makes it resistant to weather, insect attacks and rot – and it’s tough enough to withstand even the fickle British climate. The high level of oil also means it can be supplied untreated, and over time it will slowly change from light brown to a beautiful silvery-grey – although you can choose to treat it yourself if you want to retain the original golden hue.
I’d loved the look of the series from the moment I first saw it, so I was delighted to get the opportunity to test it out for myself. I borrowed the square four-seater table, dining chairs with arms, two deck chairs and a footstool that doubles as a coffee table, but the collection also encompasses a larger rectangular table for six-eight, dining chairs without arms, a table bench, lounge chairs, an outdoor sofa, reclining loungers and a side table. In short, there’s something for everyone, no matter what the size of your outdoor space or the way you use it.
I put my loaned ‘AH’ pieces through their paces over a fortnight last August (as you can probably tell, these photographs weren’t taken in March!), and they certainly lived up to my expectations.
Homann was known for his simple aesthetic, his eye for detail and his preference for soft shapes, and all are evident in the ‘AH’ series. The clean lines are offset by rounded joints where the slats blend into the frames, and the armrests fan outwards in a sculptural curve. The overall design is pared-back yet considered, and I loved the way it complemented our black-painted fences and pale porcelain paving. It even worked beautifully against the more rustic elements of the garden, neatly offsetting the protected ivy-covered Victorian brick wall that forms part of our boundary.
The range is also very practical. The table and chairs are stackable, and all the seating options can be used on their own or combined with padded cushions in a neutral weatherproof textile. I appreciated the versatility they offer, as you can add them to the seat, the backrest or both, and the linear stitching gives them a contemporary twist. They’re also far less bulky than most outdoor furniture cushions, meaning they’re easy to store away over winter, and they’re quick to secure in place thanks to simple ties and loops that hook around the frames.
I enjoyed using all the pieces I borrowed, but it was the deck chairs that I found myself gravitating towards again and again. The backrest is perfectly angled for gentle reclining, and they feature a gorgeous additional detail in the form of sleek cylindrical connectors made from brushed stainless steel. What’s more, they’re fairly lightweight, so they can be moved around the garden as you chase the sun or shade. I relished sitting back at the far end of our plot with my morning coffee, listening to birds in the trees above, before moving them nearer the house to enjoy the golden evening light and, come dusk, the nightly display of aerial acrobatics from our local bats.
I was very sad to have to return my ‘AH’ loans, but the way they mix form and function means they’re now high on my wishlist. This is the kind of versatile, high-quality design you can invest in knowing it really will last for decades to come, and the mix-and-match nature of the series allows you to add items as your garden and needs change. Definitely a winner for me.
See the full ‘AH’ outdoor furniture collection here. Prices start at €490 / £420, and you can find details of Carl Hansen & Søn flagship stores and stockists worldwide here.
All photography by Abi Dare
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