The Great Outdoors Entertain your teammates in style this summer

A generation ago, outdoor tables and chairs were called a patio set. Put them on the patio, the thinking went, and you were set. Now, we live in the age of the Outdoor Room--exterior spaces that look as smart as your home. The market is flooded with all-weather furniture, but these handsome and versatile designs also do double duty so you can entertain and kick back in high style--with low maintenance.

ON FIRE
Restoration Hardware’s outdoor furniture collections are roomy, rugged and refined--a go-to for dining and lounging areas. We love the company’s 19th C. Butter Churn Ventless Fire Table, which is made from reclaimed elm for an old-timey look with a modern twist. With its lid in place, it can be used as a coffee table inside or out. Take the top off, add Real Flame gel fuel to the metal trough, flick your Bic and you’ve got an outdoor fire feature.
Restorationhardware.com; $1695.

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STADIUM SEATING
The Gargantua by Extremis is simply ingenious. As shown here, the stainless and galvanized steel and jatoba wood picnic table easily seats eight on benches (with optional backrests and cushions) The adjustable benches can be raised, lowered and even removed for babies high chairs, kids and adults. At the top position, the benches align with the table tip, which has a vented metal center that can handle hot dishes and spills, giving you a 7-foot table that will accommodate a dozen chairs or make an impressive buffet.
Available in the U.S. through Unica Home unicahome.com; $9765.

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FANCY FOOTWORK
In the 1970s, designer John Dickinson crafted the African table from heavy and somewhat fragile plaster. Originals from that period now fetch $10,000-$15,000 at auction. The design has been reissued in a lighter, weatherproof and chip-resistant fiberglass-reinforced concrete in two sizes that can be grouped together indoors or out. They are sold to design professional or through design center purchasing offices from David Sutherland showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Dania, FL.
davidsutherlandshowroom.com; $1,300

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THE X FACTOR
Innovative trendsetters Dedon make crazy-cool hanging daybeds and colorful chaises, but the German design firm’s SeaX dining and lounge collection is a classic. Made of steel with a leather sling and outdoor fabric cushions, this sleek take on a director’s chair with teak armrests and a matching ottoman makes a handsome indoor lounger. A pinch-proof closing mechanism lets you fold it up and take it to the yard—or the field. From Dedon, flagships in Los Angeles and New York.
dedon.de; $3,490

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NEW WAVE
In Los Angeles, Niche offers a decidedly modern approach to exterior design with exclusive cutting edge European collections of furniture and accessories by manufacturers such as Missoni Home and Kettal. Among the offerings: the 6.5 by 8 foot Marea rug by Paola Lenti shown here is a braided carpet made from soft-but-outdoor-sturdy Aquatech rope yarn. 
nichebeverly.com; $4,448