The stylish patio lounge furniture we are considering for the area around our recently built plunge pool includes mesh chaise lounges. We got the inspiration from the pool we enjoyed on our last Palm Springs vacation.
Also, I am showing a colorful Florida home not too far from us now, a great book, and what to cook. It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy!
1. Stylish Patio Lounge Furniture Inspiration
This was one of three pools at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas from our recent desert vacation. We lounged at this pool the most (so did Tori Spelling and her five kids).
What I like about the contemporary chaise lounges (or chaise longue in French) was that the white color feels fresh and the mesh upholstery was breathable. Actually comfortable even without cushions…and would be easy to keep clean.
Also, the outdoor lounge chairs aren’t too heavy to move with aluminum frames. But having wheels would be even better for us (to move around the deck or bring in for storms).
Cute scalloped outdoor umbrellas were in Sunbrella fabric.
2. Pool Lounge Furniture We Are Considering
Since our backyard outdoor space is so small, I want to make it fairly neutral to expand the eye. This is the patio furniture we have so far. An outdoor sectional and coffee table from West Elm in performance fabric and a Pottery Barn table that we used in San Francisco.
Since the dining table has an x base like a picnic table and is covered, we decided to use it here and get a bigger table with leaves for the dining room.
My outdoor decor has a beach vibe. The candle sticks are from Serena & Lily.
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Modern Outdoor Lounge Furniture Mock-up
Below is an example of what I am considering from online retailer Wayfair (sort of a one-stop shop).
We could use two durable chaises (these have hidden wheels), and a well-priced umbrella (lots of colors) with a heavy base with wheels. A small concrete outdoor side table (out of stock but this is similar) would be nice too.
I plan on ordering the assembly option from Wayfair since there is free shipping and I’m not that handy! I also like Wayfair’s customer service. I always read the reviews before purchasing from them.
This makes me excited for the warmer days ahead! Our kids are coming for the Fourth of July.
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3. Florida Beach Cottage Style
Although we’ve lived in Florida twice before (in central and southern Florida), I would say my decorating style is more California Beach Cottage (collected, globally inspired with neutral and saturated colors like blues, greens, and terracotta).
Floridian cottage style is more tropical (think Palm Beach)…and I like that too. Both coasts like the use of texture. This small home in Jupiter, Florida was just in Canadian House and Home (May 2023) by Gail Marshall Interiors.
Love the simplicity here and the white window treatments.
The pink shades with the faded tobacco color in the wallpaper are soothing. I could see this style below on either coast.
This could just as easily be in Southern California.
I get Canadian House and Home digitally through Apple News. But I think I will subscribe to get the hard copy!
4. What To Read: Demon Copperhead
This is a long, sometimes difficult-to-read book…but excellent! I really recommend it…loved it on audio.
You may have heard of it as it is…”A NEW YORK TIMES TEN BEST BOOKS OF 2022, An Oprah’s Book Club Selection • New York Times Bestseller • Wall Street Journal Bestseller • A #1 Washington Post Bestseller.”
“Damon Fields, nicknamed Demon Copperhead, came into the world already behind the eight ball of life, and before long he’s in foster care placements that resemble work camps more than loving homes. Throughout this coming-of-age novel, the rug is constantly pulled out from under him but Demon has reserves of Olympian endurance.” ~Amazon Review
5. What To Cook On A Weeknight – Pepperoncini Chicken
Howard looks forward to his Bon Appetit hardcopy subscription. This fave recipe is from a few years ago, He made it this week when we had our friends, Mark and Mercedes over for dinner.
“This one-pan chicken dinner gets two times the flavor from using both the peppers and the pickling liquid in a jar of pepperoncini. The chicken roasts in the spicy pickling liquid, while the potatoes cook away nestled among the bright, yellow peppers. Once the potatoes are done, just toss them together with crisp, raw vegetables for warm potato salad vibes”. —Grant Melton (author)
- 2 lbs. skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (6–8
- ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided
- ¾ tsp. freshly ground pepper, divided
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 lb. fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise
- 10 pepperoncini, plus ½ cup brine
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 celery stalks, thinly sliced (about 1 cup), plus celery leaves for serving
- 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
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Preheat oven to 425°. Sprinkle chicken thighs all over with ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt and ½ tsp. pepper. Coat a large cast-iron skillet with 1 Tbsp. oil. Arrange chicken thighs, skin side down, in pan and place over medium heat. Cook, undisturbed, until skin underneath is browned, 14–16 minutes
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Meanwhile, toss potatoes, peperoncini, garlic, oregano, remaining ¼ tp. kosher salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper in a large bowl. Set aside.
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Turn chicken over. Add potato mixture to pan, arranging snugly around thighs. Pour peperoncini brine around edges of pan and give pan a shake to evenly distribute. Transfer skillet to oven and roast until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender, 40–45 minutes.
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Remove skillet from oven and transfer chicken and peperoncini to a plate. Place skillet over high heat and cook potatoes, stirring often, until coated in drippings and glossy, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in red onion, sliced celery, and parsley.
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Place chicken and pepperoncini on top of vegetables and scatter some celery leaves over.
We put the skillet on top of a trivet on our dining table and served the chicken family-style.
That’s it for modern outdoor furniture, and what to read and cook this week.
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Oh my, that Palm Springs pool looks heavenly and look at you longing poolside with celebs! Love the white chaises … I’m sure our dogs would wreck havoc with them. Your mockup is perfect … the neutrals. Can’t wait to see the 4th of July reveal. Thanks for the recipe … new dinner inspo is badly needed around here. xo
I have those chaise lounges for almost 8 years now and they standed up the test of time very well, my tip is clean them with kitchen sponge and dish soap, then rinse down, don’t use any bleach or amônia containing products, as they’d remove the protective sealing and your chaises will get stained.
GREAT ADVICE!
Mary Ann,
Love your ideas for your pool lounge area…like the hotel, but more restful tones. Aren’t those little side tables great? I didn’t realize you moved your dining table out to the patio. It looks great!
That chicken dish looks amazing! So colorful!
Love that house too! The tile in the kitchen! Wow! What a statement, it really makes the room.
xx
Your patio and pool area are wonderful and I’m sure you’ll spend many hours lounging there with family and friends. Love the house in Canadian H and H, it has a definite Floridian feel! The chicken recipe looks delicious. Thank you for always adding cheer and beauty to my Sundays.
We lived on a saltwater canal in S.W. Florida for 15 years. We had Tropitone furniture that withstood the elements wonderfully. It still looked like new 15 years later and the new owners bought it from us. We now live in Atlanta and also bought Tropitone chairs and a table for our covered porch. They are now 10 years old. Highly recommend the brand
Thanks, Pam. I will check them out!
Hi Mary Ann,
Demon Copperhead was a very good read and inspired me to I reread David Copperfield afterwards.
Your poolside patio is going to be the most popular spot at your house! I used Wayfair to purchase a chaise and was very happy with the service and quality. My order was delivered in two days! And the chaise is comfy and looks nice.
That chicken recipe sounds delicious and easy. Those are ingredients I always have on hand but would not have thought about using the pepperonci that way. Yum!
Xo Heidi
Thanks, Heidi. Can wait to use our patio more.
I loved Demon Copperhead — it was a bit challenging, but I could not put it down. Can’t wait to try the chicken recipe. Beef cooked in pepperoncini is a favorite!
I am working on freshening up my patio as well. Now that we are finally having decent weather. That chicken sounds delicious!
The weather is amazing in San Diego!
I adore “Canadian H&H!!!” Look through photos, etc, then go back & read, then even again before passing on to my daughter. franki
I’m ordering it, Franki!