Dwell and Chicory’s New Modular Outdoor Furniture Delivers Comfort and Versatility

We’ve collaborated with Chicory to launch a U.S.-made, eco-friendly collection that offers endless design options for your outdoor space.
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As we’ve come to newly appreciate in the past two years, outdoor space plays just as large a role in our homes as indoor space—and can be every bit as inviting. With temperatures starting to creep upward and spring on the horizon, our balconies, decks, and backyards are poised to again take center stage. Just in time for sunnier days, we’re thrilled to announce Chicory, a new outdoor furniture collection making its debut this spring. The modular system is sustainable, durable, rooted in comfort—and most importantly, bound to beckon you outside.

"We started our design process with a focus on material—the goal was to create a durable, weatherproof collection that stands the test of time," says Ben Parsa, CEO of CABA Design, who created the Chicory outdoor collection. "We instinctively knew the best outdoor timber product is teak and focused on capturing the elegance and uniqueness of the wood while also ensuring we didn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach."

"We started our design process with a focus on material—the goal was to create a durable, weatherproof collection that stands the test of time," says Ben Parsa, CEO of CABA Design, who created the Chicory outdoor collection. "We instinctively knew the best outdoor timber product is teak and focused on capturing the elegance and uniqueness of the wood while also ensuring we didn’t use a one-size-fits-all approach."

A key sticking point of choosing outdoor furniture is finding pieces that not only complement your space now, but have the ability to evolve along with your needs. With the Dwell x Chicory collection, folks can choose a premade layout or build a custom lounge area from a variety of seating options, side tables, and ottomans. "Intentional design allows each module to work dynamically in a vast range of spaces," says Ben Parsa, CEO of CABA Design, creator of the line. The slatted wood panels forming seat backs and arms can be used with any module, and the base blocks connect in any direction, so your configuration can rise to any occasion or stage of life, be it an evening of wine and charcuterie in an expansive garden or a morning coffee on a city balcony.

 The side table can stand alone or slide over any seat cushion to create an elevated tray surface. "We wanted to blend beautiful design with cool, yet practical, features that solve pain points for the outdoor lounger," says Parsa.

 The side table can stand alone or slide over any seat cushion to create an elevated tray surface. "We wanted to blend beautiful design with cool, yet practical, features that solve pain points for the outdoor lounger," says Parsa.

Solving the problem of outdoor storage, the coffee table is the perfect place to stash extra cushions. Its slatted teak surface strategically allows water to pass through, preventing pooling. 

Solving the problem of outdoor storage, the coffee table is the perfect place to stash extra cushions. Its slatted teak surface strategically allows water to pass through, preventing pooling. 

The modular nature of the collection makes it eminently adaptable, whether you’re switching up the space or moving to a new home.

The modular nature of the collection makes it eminently adaptable, whether you’re switching up the space or moving to a new home.

Ensuring that your furniture remains shipshape through the years, the collection features grade-A, FSC-certified teak and resilient, stainless steel hardware. Packed with silicates and oil, teak wood quite literally weathers the storm by resisting warping, rot, and corrosion and develops a handsome silver patina over time. Complementing this timeless material is a palette of eight upholstery colors that recall natural landscapes—think stone gray, seaglass green, rust red. The OEKO-TEX®-certified fabric resists stains, fading, mold, and mildew while standing up to bleach cleaning, so it’ll remain vibrant despite muddy paws or spills.

Available in a color palette inspired by nature, the removable cushion covers benefit from performance acrylic fabric that repels liquid and stains. Maintaining its integrity for up to 2,000 hours under the sunlight, it’s virtually fade-proof. "The dye manufacturing process permeates color through every thread, promoting long-term durability," says Parsa.

Available in a color palette inspired by nature, the removable cushion covers benefit from performance acrylic fabric that repels liquid and stains. Maintaining its integrity for up to 2,000 hours under the sunlight, it’s virtually fade-proof. "The dye manufacturing process permeates color through every thread, promoting long-term durability," says Parsa.

"We developed subtle shadow lines to accentuate the qualities of teak," says Parsa. "When sunlight interacts with the shapes, it gives a timeless graphic impression."

"We developed subtle shadow lines to accentuate the qualities of teak," says Parsa. "When sunlight interacts with the shapes, it gives a timeless graphic impression."

The collection’s voluminous silhouette speaks to an outsize commitment to comfort. "Its substantial seat cushions and plush back pillows put much more of an emphasis on lounging than traditional options," says Parsa. Each module comes in two different seating heights—17-inch Comfort and 14-inch Lounge—that allow you to adjust the posture and vibe of your set. "Putting custom comfort in the hands of consumers is something that hasn’t been done before," says Parsa. The cushions are a blend of low-density and high-resilience foams wrapped in a layer of Dacron polyester fabric made from upcycled plastic bottles. In a further nod to sustainability, Chicory uses non-toxic, recycled packaging materials and plants a tree with every order through the National Forest Foundation.


"We played heavily with the proportions of materials, such as the ratio of teak to seating, until we felt a beautiful balance between solidity and comfort was visually evoked," says Parsa. 

"We played heavily with the proportions of materials, such as the ratio of teak to seating, until we felt a beautiful balance between solidity and comfort was visually evoked," says Parsa. 

Says Parsa, "We wanted this collection to suit lovers of modern design with all shapes and sizes of homes. Modularity was central to all aspects of the product development to support that end goal." 

Says Parsa, "We wanted this collection to suit lovers of modern design with all shapes and sizes of homes. Modularity was central to all aspects of the product development to support that end goal." 

With prices starting at $899 for a side table, the Dwell x Chicory collection offers premium outdoor furniture without the premium price tag. Items will ship in early May with free premium delivery, a one-year home trial, and a three-year warranty. To start building the al fresco lounge of your dreams, head to Chicory.

Jenny Xie
Dwell Contributor
Jenny Xie is the author of the novel Holding Pattern, a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree. She’s received fellowships from Bread Loaf, Yaddo, and MacDowell, among other organizations.

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