Outdoor Living Scandi style

This month on Design Hunter, we're focusing on outdoor living. I'm in the middle of planning a redesign of our garden at the moment so it's a subject I've been delving into a lot lately. Stay tuned for lots more on this subject!

Today I wanted to introduce Skaargaarden, a Swedish company who produce furniture of uncomplicated beauty, but with intricate detail and expert craftsmanship. Described as "furniture for tranquility", this is furniture for "moments free from commitments and responsibilities" rather than for a specific place, and most of the pieces in the collection would look just as at home indoors as they do outdoors. The colourful chairs in the Reso dining series (above) designed by Matilda Lindblom being a case in point.

Newly represented in the UK by London based design practice Douglas & Baron, their philosophy is rooted in traditional craftsmanship with a more than a nod towards 1950s style bent wood and teak. The collection evokes the kind of carefree summer living most of us dream about, and the lookbook left me wanting to leave the package holiday hoards behind and head north to enjoy the quieter pleasures of a Scandinavian summer.

Quite possibly the most covetable outdoor furniture I've come across.

The Grinda dining range has a minimalist feel and comes in teak or oak slats with a black painted steel frame. It's also available in white.

Above: The H55 recliner in teak and stainless steel - the teak can be oiled regularly to retain the colour or allowed to fade naturally to a beautiful shade of grey.

Above: A leafy, shaded dining spot with Reso chairs and a table from the Oxno range.

A perfect spot for a quiet moment with a good book.

Above: The Häringe range designed by Carl Jagenfelt and Joacim Wahlstrom is made of teak with a brushed stainless steel or powder coated frame and the choice of either leather cushions for indoor use or fabric or artificial leather for outdoor use.

Above: Martin Kallin's fire dish doubles as a lantern holder when turned upside down.

For more information contact Douglas & Baron.