Well, shoot - that's not the response I was hoping for : (
It wouldn't have to be 'nap worthy' but I hoped for comfy enough to 'sit-a-spell', ya know? Sitting by the water's edge sounds heavenly.

I have two chairs (but no lakeside view. Just a rusty wood burning thing.)

Anyhoo, mine were from a local garden center and were made out of yellow pine. They were unfinished so I stained them. I think they are very comfortable but you need to add a pillow at the back for some reason. Here is a pic:

I do think an extension foot rest would be nice, too.

Kitchenkelly...wow can you please come and work on my lawn?! That yard looks like the kind of place where you want to run barefoot through the grass! You may have morgue drawers in your kitchen...but your grass is alive and well! I'm still waiting to see that pic of you in the sink too! ;-)

Kat :)

yes indeed, your grass is like velvet !! I love your flower pots by the table base, your sitting corner is very inviting.

kk that's a purty little setting there - very inviting! We just bought a new firepit last weekend - we burned throught the last 2 :-/

I was glad to see this post. I'm looking for Adirondack chairs for our dock. Since I'm short & DH is tall, this is a style that works for us. They're deep-seated enough for him to sit comfortably and low enough for me that I can add a pillow to the back & not have my legs dangling.

Has anyone tried any of the new "polywood" brands? They don't have the rustic appeal of natural wood ones, but I like the idea of no maintenance. I'm talking about ones that are nearly as heavy as wood - not the light flimsy ones like plastic stacking chairs. The ones I've found locally(made from reused plastic milk containers)are pricier than wood, so cost is influencing my choice - especially when buying more than one!

They all look pretty near the same online, so brands/sources are especially helpful.

We have 4 set-up as a conversation area with a large umbrella. They were built with cedar by my DH from a pattern he found. I like them because both the back and seat have a curved shape so you sit in them, not on them. Nice arms negate a need for a table and yes the ladies do like a pillow.

Some friends have the artificial wood ones. I find them hot to initially sit in and they don't breathe so you stick to them.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

I don't have a brand to recommend but they are DH's favorite type of chair. He's 6'4" and doesn't find very many outdoor chairs to be comfortable. His brother made the ones we have now.

I like them, too.

fnmroberts - I love your seating area. What a nice spot to settle in for a visit! You make some good points about the non-wood chairs.

Maybe the thing is to leave them natural. We had child-size Adirondack chairs painted white when our kids were small. I'd rather paint a large room than an Adirondack chair. There are so many different surfaces to cover! Just when you think you've done them all, you tilt the chair another way and there are more...hard to paint without having drip marks.

I knew I could count on you for information! Nice to know they can be comfy for all heights - with a pillow behind for those of us on the short side ;-) !

fnmroberts what beautiful chairs your DH made! I don't dare give another project to mine - he'll mutiny! Great points about sitting 'in', too.

amck I have my heart set on painted ones so it's good to hear your experience. I think spraying them - at least the tough to get at places would make life a lot easier and will pick a color acccordingly if we end up getting them.

dlm2000 - Please post if you end up finding chairs you like. I'm looking around locally, but have searched reviews on LLBean, Plow & Hearth & Home Decorators, as well. I'm reluctant to order without an opportunity to "test drive" but I appreciate the honesty & candor of folks on this forum.

I have also been on a multi-year search for the perfect adirondack chairs. I have sat in many but THE most comfortable chair I have found is in my friend's backyard. It turns out she got them on clearance at BJ's Wholesale for $50 5 years ago. Argggggh.

I don't know what makes them so comfortable-- maybe it is the proportions or the wood but they are absolutely perfect. I don't have a BJs membership but I made her promise to call me if she ever found them again.

amck I will let you know what I find and I'm with you on ordring this on line - have to sit them. Ours wouldn't be sitting in strong sun (we are vary shaded) so I'm tempted to look at the composites since they wouldn't get all that hot.

funkyare we don't have BJ's in Chicago - is that like Costco or Sam's? Are your friend's chairs wood or a composite of some kind?

These are our teak chairs with leg rests. If you can find leg rests with your chairs, they really add to the comfort.

Yes, BJ's is like a Costco or Sam's Club. My friend's chairs are wood-- I want to say teak. I really think what makes the difference is that the seat isnt TOOOOOO deep.

I have 10 of the plastic ones they used to sell at LNT--I am not thrilled with plastic but I wanted a bunch (I show outdoor movies when the weather is nice) and the price was right. They are fairly comfortable but they'll always look plastic to me.

I have had mine for about 5 years. My DH had them hand made by a friend at his workplace. They are actually very comfortable with the Pier 1 cushions in place. Usually, we have a small table between them to hold drinks and other essentials for relaxing.

You may have morgue drawers in your kitchen...but your grass is alive and well!

Oh jeez, I wonder what lays beneath the lawn : /

Kelly, you have such a great house. That sitting area is so beautiful and comfy looking. Perfecto job on the chairs.

uh oh, you shouldnt have asked KK whats under the lawn. if she tells ya shes got to kill ya! I love your lawn and patio too!
For you El Cheapos out there like me- the plastic adirondack chairs are comfy too, and light weight to move. Ours are in the grass so they need to be moved every week. We have the dark green ones and they are fairly fade resistant and sturdy. Easy to hose off the bird poop too. I bring out cushions some times if I feel like it. I don't find the slanted foot rests comfy, I prefer the flat topped foot rests ones.
Just another option.

Well, ladies. Whoever was under the lawn must have totally decomposed because he is no longer feeding the lawn. Doesn't look as good as last year (when the pic was taken.) I am sure I can whip into shape in two or three months. Just in time for the snow:(