A really productive and likely unhealthy approach to designing other people’s homes is to pretend that it’s your house, that you’d want to enjoy ASAP thus creating a huge sense of urgency, and then drop everything to get that done before the real owners (my brother) buy furniture that they’ll likely eventually regret. Ken just moved into the house this week and Oregon summers are GLORIOUS (truly the word was invented to describe our summers) so they need to sit outside ASAP and I was NOT going to let them buy furniture I wasn’t positive would look awesome and last them a long time. Basically, I had to very quickly check the box. I knew which one of my go-to’s would be best for this house so I took over. Enter Article and “The Case For The Matching Furniture Set”.

I wasn’t a part of the landscaping or hardscaping (just decorating) but two years ago Pistils, the awesome landscape design company they worked with, had planned for their patio spaces with the Lubek Sectional (which happens to be on sale starting today!) and already spec-ed it out and plugged into the drawings. (Annie Usher was the architect and JP Macy of Sierra Custom Construction was the contractor). This obviously confirmed my suspicions that this was the best style and vibe for the house. Lubek it will be!

They have multiple outdoor spaces (one on the front, a future firepit area, and a small patio off the kitchen). We are starting this summer with the fourth area, the living room patio – A big space off of the big open living room doors that can serve as their larger dining area AND seating (it’s near the kitchen, too).

Laying out the furniture was a bit challenging because you want to face the river but you don’t want to walk into the back of the sofa from the house (or stare at it from the living room). It’s like you want to keep it low and/or open and not messy – something simple so that the trees and views are what you are looking at.

So Gretch drew in some layout options to play with (and to show you where our head is at).

Two Facing Sofas

It’s no secret I like the symmetry of two-facing sofas and this doesn’t NOT work. In one way it means that the main sightline from the living room is relatively open. But it also means that when you are out there you aren’t facing the best views. Like they are fine, but it’s unnatural to not just face OUT.

A Chaise Sectional – Left Facing

This is a solid contender, and we could even move it further to the left so that there is more of an open view from the living room. This could be two chairs or even a smaller sofa.

A Right Facing Sectional

This keeps a lot of seating (could even have more) but this view is the least good. Nothing to complain about obviously but just not sure that it makes sense.

The Corner Sectional

Now this one could be the winner as you get ample seating and people can face both the river and to the left. We could shift it over so that it’s outside of the doors and add even more seating on the right (a small loveseat?)

I congratulate them all the time that their house “faces the right way” meaning that their living room faces east – morning light before it gets hot, but by the time you actually eat or enjoy time out here around dinner time, it’s totally shaded in the most magical dapple light. So while we will get an umbrella for any mid-day weekend hang sessions, by 4 pm this area is fully shaded (I’m very jealous, we have the opposite problem and there is no way to fix it – the sun sets where it wants to set apparently). They are also spending the summer figuring out where they want to grill (near the kitchen on the kitchen patio or out here with friends). No need to rush those types of decisions. But what’s the point of living by the river if you aren’t going to soak up every second possible hanging outside? I am so happy we get to fix that for them (and me, ha) as quickly as we are.

The First Plan (And The Case For The Matching Furniture)

Lubek Slate Gray Low Corner Sectional | Lubek Tuscan Brown Coffee Table | Lubek Slate Gray Loveseat | Centura Black Side Table | Denby Lounge Chair | Lubek Tuscan Brown Dining Set

This is not done or flushed out, but it feels like a clear and easy vision. The Lubek line comes in a couple of different colors (dark as shown here and a lighter version that goes more “Coastal” or “California”). They have it in all the configurations and of course the dining table (which is huge and seats so many). I just love how uncomplicated, easy, and so complementary to the lifestyle and vibe of the River House this is. The low profile on the Lubek keeps those sightlines open from the house and ideal for relaxed lounging when you’re out there. Those cushions come off easily to store when not in use. Article also has great quality covers to keep their outdoor pieces safe in the off-season. We’ll need to add some potted plants, an umbrella, and some soft pillows/throws. More to come quickly 🙂

Article is having a big old summer sale (up to 40% off select items, 700+ items sitewide) so while I’ve ordered what I need, if you are in the market for outdoor furniture they still have a lot available and their shipping is always impressively fast (check lead times just in case). This makeover is happening ASAP so stay tuned for the reveal. Gah, this might actually be the first official river house reveal!!

Some of our other favorites are on sale from Article starting TODAY (including our loveseat, our dining table, and our dining chairs). The sale is happening for a limited time only so I’d hurry over to check it out.

*Photos by Kailtin Green