Martha Stewart Montecito Patio Furniture - Practical and Elegant Outdoor Living
Written: Mar 18 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Mesh seats dry quickly, easy to clean, solid construction
Cons: A little pricey
The Bottom Line: A pricey but very well made patio set. Comfortable mesh seats stay dry. Adds elegance and practicality to outdoor living.
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| amyk49's Full Review: Martha Stewart Everyday Montecito Collection |
A couple years ago, after we had finally finished our large deck, of course we had to adorn it with new patio furniture. My husband returned one day with the full Martha Stewart Montecito Patio Set, including table, six chairs, and the matching umbrella. I was delighted! I had never owned "real" patio furniture before, as we've only had the plastic tables and chairs.
~ Product Description
The Martha Stewart Montecito Collection, I first noticed, is a slate gray color. I must confess at first look I was a little disappointed, because I had anticipated a more colorful, splashy print for the chairs and umbrella. But upon closer inspection and after a few years of use, I have fallen in love with this set.
The lines of this collection are simple, and understated. The table is gorgeous! It features a 60 inch hexagonal glass top, with a beautiful fern design pressed into the glass. This glass top is scratch resistant and is simply the most elegant patio table I have ever seen. The six sides make it easy to seat six people comfortably at this table, each place setting having its own "side."
The framework of the table and chairs is made of rust-resistant lightweight aluminum, finished in matte gray. The fabric on the six chairs and matching umbrella is a durable close-knit gray mesh. The chair frames are all one piece, shaped sort of like an "S" with a curved back. You can probably see the design of the chair from the picture. They are very simple in design. The chairs have an almost rocker-like feel, as they have a little spring, or bounce to them.
I want you to know that these chairs are extremely comfortable! They are WAY more comfortable than they look. I couldn't believe how nice they felt until I sat in one. (The chairs required some minor assembly, but it was very easy.) They have a lot of support and don't feel mushy or weak. The high back is nice. The fabric doesn't seem to stretch or lose its tension.
But the absolute best part about this wonderful fabric is that it dries in a flash. If your patio furniture is out in the elements with no roof, like ours, you will LOVE this feature. Many patio chairs with the traditional cushions will hold rain water or dew like a sponge. Sit down on them even many hours or even days after a rainstorm and you'll have a wet butt. Not with the Martha Stewart Montecito Collection. The mesh fabric breathes and does not hold water. The air can circulate all around, and it therefore dries very quickly. I've just swiped the seat with my hand, and in moments you can sit without fear of a wet spot. Awesome design!
The matching umbrella has a crank to make it go up and down. The umbrella post fits down through a hole in the middle of the table, and further down into the sturdy and heavy flat-bottomed umbrella stand. The umbrella also has a tilt feature so you can shield the sun from different angles if you'd like.
The umbrella fabric is made of the same mesh material as the chairs. And although it is a mesh, it does shield the sun quite well. The mesh is tight enough that rain does not fall through.
Also included with our set was a bottle of touch-up paint, in case the gray powder coating on the table or chair frames ever gets scratched, which thus far hasn't happened.
~ Cleaning and Maintenance
The smooth lines on the chair frames are a snap to clean. There are virtually no ridges or grooves for dirt to collect, and a simple wipe with a damp cloth is all it takes. A little glass cleaner on the glass table and it looks like a show piece. The mesh fabric on the chairs just needs a wipe now and then. Again, the smooth lines of the chair seats and backs makes cleaning a breeze. This is patio furniture is easier to clean than the plastic chairs and tables because of the smooth lines and mesh fabric.
We cover the table and chairs with a tarp in the winter and put it underneath the deck. We have snow and cold temperatures here in the winter, and the set looks like new after two winters now. I can so no signs of rust whatsoever. The fabric on the chairs is as tight and sturdy as the day we bought it.
~ Final Thoughts
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this patio set! We have had numerous bar-b-ques in the summer and some rather elegant dinners using the Martha Stewart Montecito Patio Set. With the six chairs and large hexagonal table, there's plenty of room for full place settings. The table is sturdy and doesn't wobble, and the chairs are so comfortable you won't want to get up. The beautiful fern design pressed into the glass table top adds elegance and style. The mesh fabric seats and backs on the chairs make for dry seating at all times.
If you must have a splashy, colorful set, then this might not be for you, because of the understated gray color. It is not a "cheerful" color. But everything else about this patio set is superb. It adds elegance and practicality to outdoor living.
Also available in the Montecito Collection is a chaise lounge and a bar set with bar chairs.
I'm trying to remember what we paid for our set, and I remember it wasn't cheap. I think with the table and six chairs, plus the umbrella and stand, it was around $450-$475. Pretty expensive, but I'm telling you it's beautifully made and it has been totally worth it for us.
Enjoy your spring and summer, and happy patio living!
Recommended:
Yes
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