Band Of Outsiders

Because wicker can deteriorate very quickly, natural wicker furniture should not be kept outside. Even if you apply water-proofing spray, the furniture will not be fully protected from moisture, mold, and sun.

Many types of wood can be used for an outside bench — it is really a matter of preference. Generally, hardwood is considered the best option since these varieties are durable, rot-resistant and have the best chance at a long life outdoors.

Whether a Saarinen table can go outside depends on the piece. Through his work as an architect and designer, Eero Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Legendary furnishings designed by Saarinen like his durable side tables, the Womb chair, the Tulip chair and the Pedestal table are still frequently used in interiors today — and often copied at more affordable prices. At Cranbrook Academy of Art, Saarinen met Florence Schust Knoll, who, as director of her husband Hans Knoll's eponymous furniture company, would put Saarinen’s best designs into production. While Knoll offers outdoor versions of authentic Eero Saarinen tables with Vetro Bianco and Natural Black Slate tops, if a table wasn’t designed specifically for outdoor use, it’s best to only display it indoors. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage Eero Saarinen tables.