Pia’s Picks: garden furniture for comfort, not for show

One of the most famous pieces of furniture incorporating strings is the [spaghetti chair](/search?q=spaghetti chair). Invented in the 1950s, it stands out as a result of its unusual appearance. The design is composed of spaghetti-like strings, which are tied around the frame by hand. Despite being tightly woven, these «spaghetti strands» still look «al dente»: loose and soft. If you ask me, this contrast is what makes string furniture so charming. And that’s not all.

There may be strings on these chairs, but if you get one, you’ll never feel tied down. Free from any limitations, spaghetti chairs boast many advantages over string-free models.

• Design: String furniture is instantly recognisable. Airily light, its ability to mesh well with various interior styles means it can be used in both living and working areas.

• Materials: Most outdoor brands such as Schaffner use high-quality materials for their furniture, and string models are no exception. They’re made of weatherproof wood, metal or plastic.

• Comfort: The sleek, minimalist appearance of string chairs is often deceptive. A far cry from the bum-on-a-tightrope act you’d expect, they’re extremely comfortable to sit on. This is because the cords adapt to your body.

• Versatility: Spaghetti furniture is available in different versions, including as chairs (often referred to as string chairs), with or without armrests and with a range of seat heights and widths. Sometimes, they also come upholstered. In other words, they adapt perfectly to your needs.

• Durability: If a string loses its colour or gets thinner, most manufacturers will replace it.

What I like most about spaghetti furniture is that it creates playful patterns with shadows. Be they on the floor or the wall, interesting shapes appear when the sun shines.

Furniture with plastic strings

Have I whet your appetite for spaghetti furniture? Check out the selection I’ve put together, featuring designers Fiam, Giardimo, JanKurtz and Schaffner. All four brands use synthetic strings and sell numerous versions of the chair.

Garden chairs

CHF224.–

Schaffner Säntis II

63

Garden chairs

JanKurtz Mya Spaghetti

Garden chairs

CHF190.–

Schaffner Säntis II

1

Sunbed

CHF209.–

Fiam Spaghetti

153 cm

3

Garden chairs

Giardimo LAB String Chair

137

Strings made from other materials

If you prefer a more natural look, you’ll find alternatives at Kave Home. The brand prefers to use natural fibre strings for its backrests to guarantee better comfort.

Garden chairs

Kave Home Saconca

1

Garden chairs

Kave Home Cailin

Garden chairs

Kave Home Yanet

7

Garden chairs

Kave Home Nadin

Garden lounges

CHF991.–

Kave Home Inti

1

In my Pia’s Picks series, I regularly showcase my favourite finds – things I might not need, but definitely want.