For over 75 years, Brown Jordan has continued a proud tradition of crafting innovative outdoor furniture using clever combinations like metal and rope to create a sculptural quality. These stylized pieces grace outdoor spaces worldwide, revealing a breezy sophistication that’s true to the company’s California roots. Stephen Elton, Brown Jordan’s Chief Brand Curator, discussed the company’s new and upcoming collections as well as the factors that make this brand stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Gwen Donovan: It’s been said that Brown Jordan invented the category of outdoor furniture. How did your furnishings transform the industry?
Stephen Elton: We invented the category of luxury outdoor furniture. In 1945, on the market were Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, wrought iron benches, etc. What Brown Jordan did was to bring design, luxury and comfort to the outdoor category – something that had not been done before, and in the process we changed the industry forever.
GD: What are some of your best-sellers?
SE: We have so many iconic designs and bestsellers. Of note is our Oscar Collection (pictured above); it was designed by Ann Marie Vering in 2001 and is one of our all-time best-sellers not only because of its look but also for the incredible comfort level (it sits like indoor furniture but for the outdoors). Oscar is a highly successful, cutting-edge collection that pays homage to the early rope designs of iconic Brown Jordan designer Walter Lamb.
GD: Tell our readers about some of your legacy designers and their work.
SE: These include Calcutta, the renowned Chinese Chippendale-inspired collection designed by Hall Bradley in 1967 and re-introduced by John Caldwell in 1987; designer Richard Frinier’s neo-classical Venetian collection seen on Season Three of the hit Netflix series “Emily in Paris” in a scene shot at the Ritz Hotel in Paris; and Kantan from Japanese designer Tadao Inouye, a pivotal mid-century modern collection created in 1956 using the latest lightweight extruded aluminum and sun-and-weather-resistant vinyl straps. We’re proud to announce that this summer we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Walter Lamb collection which is highly sought-after and collectible on the secondary market. His Bronze collection first launched in 1947 and was reimagined and reissued in elevated, modern materials.
GD: That’s an impressive list! Do you have any upcoming design collaborations?
SE: Yes, we will continue to work with best-in-class designers from all over the world. On the horizon is our third collection called Oliver, by renowned LA-based product designer and architectural engineer Ann Marie Vering, which is launching this spring. We’ll also have a new collection by legendary product designer Toan Nguyen this fall.
GD: How does Brown Jordan continue to set the gold standard for outdoor furnishings?
SE: We are constantly looking for new materials, new ways to use existing materials, what’s next and what hasn’t been done before. We are innovators in every way.
This or That? Choose the one that appeals most to you personally.
- Meal Time: light bite at a bar table or formal dinner at a dining table? Formal dinner at a dining table because I don’t like light bites and I like to sit and linger at the table in our comfortable chairs and enjoy.
- Me Time: chaise lounge or daybed? Chaise lounge since I can adjust the back.
- Feet Up: comfy pouf or structured ottoman? A structured ottoman, they’re more comfortable when I put my feet up.
- Chillaxing: loveseat or modular sectional? Modular sectionals let me stretch my legs, steal the corner seat (!) and turn to my side, plus our Moto sectional is the ultimate luxurious outdoor sectional because it is equally at home indoors or out.
- SPF: round sunshade or geometric umbrella? Geometric umbrella, it’s a more interesting design plus it gives greater SPF coverage.
Read more of this series from aspire design and home editor Gwen Donovan, here.
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