A fun design inspired by summer vacations spent lounging in the sun.
Designed by French designer Fabien Petiot, founder of Netherlands-based design studio Beau Travail, the Stère outdoor bench takes inspiration from languid summer vacations. The design combines Petiot’s contemporary, creative style with the colorful fabrics and excellent craftsmanship offered by upholstery, wallpaper and furniture manufacturer Pierre Frey. Launched during Milan Design Week 2022, this outdoor bench joined the brand’s collection in style. Stère brings the comfort and refinement of living room seating to outdoor areas. It features four wooden cylinders that provide support to a curved, overflowing seat covered in a soft velvet-like fabric. Elegant and bold, the bench is also tactile and comfortable.
Marking the first collaboration between the designer and the family-owned brand, the design also required a special crafting approach. “The challenge in this case was to incorporate the expertise of Pierre Frey, to tap into a know-how that is as demanding as it is varied and in constant evolution, and to explore their carpentry and upholstery workshops for outdoor furniture,” explains Fabien Petiot. The designer used the feeling of blissful slumber during sunny vacation days by the seaside to create the design. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, Stère is also easy to move from one area to another. This Pierre Frey bench comes in different textured fabrics and colors, including light blue and pale green. Photographs © Pierre Frey.