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"More than any other piece of outdoor furniture, a garden bench beckons with the promise of a peaceful respite. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s a private place to admire the landscape or have an intimate conversation,&amp;quot; says decorator Matthew Patrick Smyth, who has a weathered park bench at his 1790s house in Sharon, Connecticut. Popularized by Edwardian architect Sir Edwin Lutyens at the turn of the last century, these plein-air seats play a key role in landscape design, adding visual drama\u2014as well as a friendly, civilizing touch\u2014to verdant spaces.  An alfresco area, decorator Amanda Nisbet says, should be approached like an interior, with benches serving as strategically positioned sofas. From English formal to industrial chic, these perches can provide a focal point amid manicured greenery or nestle discreetly in a lush field of wildflowers. Keep in mind that certain finishes and materials aren&amp;#039;t intended to stand up to the elements and should only be used on a porch or veranda. Teak and concrete, however, &amp;quot;can be left out all year long because they fade to a gorgeous gray and develop a lovely patina,&amp;quot; Nisbet says. Many garden benches are even versatile enough to be stationed indoors. As Smyth explains, &amp;quot;They often look great as extra seating in a mudroom, entryway, or casual kitchen.&amp;quot;  Click here to see the resources. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/shopping/furniture/advice/a1908/the-10-most-gorgeous-garden-benches-a-56225/>