RODA Astra reclining lounge chairs and sofa

Reclining rope lounge

Built for looking up

Each Astra seat has a reclining back, and the frame rides on wheels, so a chair can be pulled from the terrace to the lawn and turned toward the sunset without lifting it. The high-back lounge chair stands about 42 inches tall and supports the head when the back is lowered. The low-back chair and the sofa come in at around 30 inches. Seats are low, roughly 14 inches off the ground, which favors lounging over upright conversation.

The frame is solid tubular aluminum, powder coated in smoke. Seat and back are strung with 7 mm cord in polyester or acrylic, offered in a wide palette that runs from sand and tobacco to sky blue, plus a recycled cord range in softer tones. Aluminum does not rust and cord lets water run straight through, so a rain shower is no reason to drag the chairs indoors. Hydro-draining cushions complete the seat.

Each seat has a double cylinder wrapped in cord in place of a flat arm, a rounded rail that is pleasant to rest an elbow on. Dordoni played the smooth aluminum against the matte, cotton-like feel of the rope, and that contrast keeps the pieces light to look at even with deep cushions on board.

A pair of lounge chairs with a small table between them makes a reading corner by a pool. The sofa, a little over 6 feet long, anchors a larger group on a deck. Astra is Italian outdoor furniture from RODA's workshops near Lake Varese, made to order in the cord color and cushion fabric picked for each project.

Reclining seats on wheels, named for the stars.

Designer

Rodolfo Dordoni

Rodolfo Dordoni has worked with RODA since 2005 and guides its artistic direction; Astra shows his mix of sobriety and comfort, a plain aluminum frame softened by rope and a reclining back.

More about Rodolfo DordoniMore about Rodolfo Dordoni

Also listed under Italian outdoor sofas and Outdoor chairs.