Garden state: Fast

Fresh air, nature and sunshine – all right at your doorstep. Now that we are spending so much more time at home, the importance of gardens has increased tremendously in the current corona situation. Gardens allow us to escape our own four walls and provide a natural refuge of calm and relaxation.

Gardens have always played this role, but now, we suddenly appreciate them even more. This became apparent to me on a recent visit to a legendary house and garden: the writer Marcel Proust spent his childhood summers in the small French village of Illiers-Combray. He describes his memories in the famous novel In Search of Lost Time. The garden where the Proust family convened in the afternoon for tea and cakes has remained practically unchanged to this day – a splendid time capsule. How fortunate are those who have a garden of their own! But feeling completely at home there depends on a multitude of factors, including the way we furnish and equip these special spaces.

The Italian company Fast is a good source when it comes to furniture that makes gardens even more beautiful and appealing. Architects and designers are not the only ones who cherish the company’s renowned contemporary classic, whose stylised branch-like structure resembles an organic object. We are of course talking about the ‘Forest’ garden chair by Robby Cantarutti & Partners. The chair has been one of Fast’s bestsellers since 2007 and can now be found in private gardens as well as on the terraces of numerous bars and restaurants. Made entirely of aluminium – the main material used in furniture by Fast – Forest is now also available in new versions featuring Iroko wood. Fine Iroko wood is utilised for the legs of the chair and the armchair as well as for the runners of the rocking chair.

Other new items include three beautifully designed and varied products that not only cut a fine figure as solo pieces, but also harmonise well as a group: First there is Ria, a family of outdoor seating furniture in 14 colours that brings a cosy living room atmosphere into the garden. The design was created by Alberto Lievore, who has collaborated with Fast for many years.

Fast have made use of rope – yes, rope – for the first time in the Ria series. The backrest area of the light and sturdy aluminium frame is either partially or completely wrapped in a polypropylene rope mesh, which gives the chair a pleasant feel. This collection of seating furniture includes armchairs, a lounge chair, two- and three-seat sofas and a daybed. To enhance comfort, additional cushions made of fabric are available for the Ria family, including a waterproof version. And, undoubtedly, those who spend many hours outdoors in the garden, reading a book or chatting with good friends will greatly appreciate being able to sit or lie in the same cushioned comfort as on an indoor sofa.

For the perfect accompaniment: the modular Mosaiko table series, also designed by Alberto Lievore, can be used alone or arranged in clusters. Mosaiko comprises five tables in different shapes, heights and widths. The table tops are available in monochrome or speckled aluminium. The different colours, shapes and dimensions can be combined to create a variety of handy surfaces.

Last but not least, a delightful surprise: Fast has now also launched its first outdoor rug collection. Made of polypropylene, the rectangular Onda rugs are available in two sizes (3 x 2 m and 4 x 3 m) and three colour variations. They are washable and weather-proof – important properties regardless of whether you use them at home or for projects in the contract sector.

My personal recommendation: Ria as a daybed, plus two Mosaiko tables in the colours Green Tea and Maracuja, along with Onda in the colour Sunset – and then the first volume of Marcel Proust’s recollections. A guaranteed source of pleasure and enjoyment for a long time to come!

© Architonic