Welcome to the 909th Metamorphosis Monday! Have you ever ordered an item and when it arrived, it looked a bit different than it had online? Maybe the color was slightly different, or the texture wasn’t quite what you expected, but it was close enough that you didn’t mind and kept the item. Then there are the times when you open the box, and the item looks so different, you are sure that you’ve been shipped the wrong item entirely. Unfortunately, that was the situation on Friday. I ordered this: a table and four chairs designed with alternating rows of cream and gray weaving.
Actually, I ordered two sets, so I could push them together to create this setup when needed. Notice how light and bright the set looks, how the chairs are woven in alternating lines of cream/white and gray.
Here’s a closeup of the weave/design of the chairs and tables. Notice how the gray and white (or off-white) areas alternate for every row, creating a light, bright weave for this beautiful patio set.
When I opened the top of one of the very large boxes, this is what I saw. This photo was taken in the light pouring in through the open door of my garage. The next chair back that I removed looked the same. At that point, I stopped, placed both back in the box, and taped it back up. How do these things happen? Do companies design a beautiful set of outdoor furniture, hire a photographer to take photos for their ads, sell a bunch since it’s so pretty, then order more from the manufacturer only to have the new sets arrive looking completely different, yet they continue selling the product using the original photos? Is that how this happens? I’m now awaiting contact from the “hub” to complete the return.
Back to the Drawing Board: Last summer I drove over to a large business here in the Dayton area that sells Polywood. They had a lot of beautiful HDPE furniture, including some that I liked even more than the Polywood. (See photos and read that previous post here: Shopping for Outdoor Furniture: Polywood vs C. R. Plastic.) I wasn’t that keen on the texture of the Polywood. I also noticed that dirt had accumulated in the grooves of the sets they had displayed in front of their store.
Everybody and his brother has jumped on the trend of producing outdoor furniture from HDPE, which stands for: High Density PolyEthylene. I really like the furniture Polywood is producing with chairs designed with Chippendale backs, but since I’m not crazy about the texture of Polywood, and I don’t want to spend thousands for a set, I’ve been looking at some of their competitors. This set caught my eye because it has the Chippendale backs that I like so much, and it doesn’t have the sagging/bending seat issue that some of the competitors’ sets have.
Note: I saw some pretty sets online by other companies, but many of the reviews indicated that the seats sagged when a person of normal weight sat in them. Per the reviews, the manufacturer told them that’s normal. What?! Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be an issue with the company that makes the set below. In fact, they go to great lengths to point that out in their ad, saying that their chair seats do not sag like other brands. I noticed that the seats are designed in a completely different manner, and there are no complaints of sagging seats in the reviews. Also, I like how the seats are designed with some curvature, rather than being completely flat like Polywood chairs. That may make them more comfortable, but I will probably still add some cushions for additional comfort. (This set is available in three colors here: Deck/Patio Furniture with Chippendale Chairs.)
I started to order the white set since I think it’s beautiful, but I remembered how dirty the grooves looked on the white set I saw while shopping in a local store last summer. Also, this is the patio where the set will go. Some of the pavers in this patio have a grayish tint. (Note: I expect to have this patio cleaned, sanded, and sealed this summer, hopefully by the end of the month. That should brighten the color of the pavers a bit, possibly making the gray even more visible.)
In the end, I went for the more practical option and purchased the set in gray. I’ve never cared for black or gray furniture, even though I know it’s a popular trend, so ordering it in gray was a hard decision for me. I know the stark white set would stick out like a sore thumb against the pavers, and I don’t think white would be the right choice for this area. The white set is probably more suited alongside a pool (as seen in the photo earlier in this post) or maybe on a deck or screened porch with a lot of pretty white paint. The white set would look great on my screened porch in Georgia, but I think the gray set will be a better look for the patio and def more practical for keeping clean. (This set is available in three colors here: Deck/Patio Furniture with Chippendale Chairs.)
Another feature I like about this set is that the surface is made with a faux wood-grained design. This was the best close-up photo I could find to show that. I just received notification that the set has shipped via FedEx in four boxes, so it should arrive this week. I sure hope when I open the boxes, it looks like it does in the photos online!
An Update with a Dramatic Effect: After a lot of research, I finally found a company that sells quality, longleaf pine straw at a more affordable price. Trying to buy pine straw in Ohio is not easy. Almost no one uses pine straw in their yards/gardens due to its unavailability and the insane cost per bale. If you do locate it. prices often range from $14 to $15 a bale! The reviews online at Home Depot and other big box stores are terrible! Tip: Don’t buy pine straw from any company that ships it to you in a box! I finally found a place where it’s on sale for $9.99 a bale. Unfortunately, I had to pay a delivery fee of $85. Argh. Here’s how the house looked with black mulch, which looks a lot like regular black dirt.
And here’s how it looks with fresh, longleaf pine straw. The pine straw really makes the hydrangeas and other shrubs pop.
I’m often asked what mulch I’m using when I share photos of the Georgia house/garden. Pine straw must mostly be a southern thing. I will never again complain about how much I pay for pine straw in Georgia.
The last time I purchased pine straw for the Georgia house (March 2026), this is what I paid: $353.32, and that cost included spreading/putting it out. Here in Ohio, 40 bales, at the best price I could find, was $515, and I had to put it out myself!
The company I purchased it from (TryPineStrawdotcom) had great reviews and has been sourcing and selling pine straw for over 20 years, so they know where to get the good stuff that’s not full of sticks. I spoke with Scott, one of the owners, and placed my order online. The pine straw was delivered in a beautiful, professional, enclosed truck, and the delivery guy was super nice, offering to place the bales wherever I wanted. I had him place half in the front yard up against the house, and the other half in the back yard. I am very impressed with this company and will order from them again. I’ll be putting out the other 20+ bales (I had some left over from doing the front yard) this evening and tomorrow morning when it’s not as hot as it is right now. I tried to do some research to see how it holds up under snow, and the info I found online said that it does well. I hope that’s true! We’ll know next spring. I doubt I’ll need as much next time since I plan on grassing an area in the backyard.
Thanks for coming along on this journey. Painters were supposed to arrive today to take care of some exterior repairs, but that’s been moved out a couple of weeks. Next, I need to work on new wood exterior shutters since the current ones are starting to fall apart. So much to do when you own an older home; it’s never-ending!
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects, like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects, and even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings; save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address (that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog) into the “URL” box for InLinkz when prompted.
The yard is looking beautiful. I envy your energy to spread this around, that’s some work! Yes , I really feel irritated when an item is switched. In May I ordered a dress. In the photo it was dark denim and very cute. The I opened it and it was very cheap turquoise nylon with terrible stitching. The company did not respond to my email. It had to go to dispute with my bank. I even researched customs reviews before purchasing. It seems some are setting up sites and putting up their own positive reviews now. I will be sticking to companies I know in the future.
Yes, they are writing their own reviews. I had a bad experience with a food product by a company I liked so I called them. I had to give her great details about where I bought it. The next day all the bad reviews were gone and replaced by happy ones. When ordering online now, click on the company name to see if their company address pops up- in China.
You are the neighbor everyone wishes they had! Someone who keeps up their home to make it lovely! Seems there are always one or two who just don’t care! Frustrating for those of us who do! Your neighbors will love you for all your improvements to your place.
have you decided what color you are going to use for your outdoor shutters?
I’m tempted to stay with the blue since it looks pretty with the brick. I wish I knew the name of this paint. Donna, I would love to hear suggestions. I have black shutters in Georgia, but that house is more formal. The blue seems to fit this Cape Cod cottage, but I’m open to other ideas/suggestions.
I wanted to order the same table chairs that you just ordered. I was worried about knees hitting the support beam that goes length wise and then I wondered if the folks sitting at the ends of the table would have to rest their feet on those support boards. Please let know how this works out for you and your family. Hopefully my concerns make sense.
I’m afraid to order online anymore – it seems that companies must steal images from legitimate vendors to use them in their ads for their knock-offs – Often, the model has exactly the same pose with different outfits – online ordering is becoming more miss than hit! – Love the look of the pine straw! Can you share the vendor you use in Georgia?
In Georgia, I order from West Cobb Pine Straw. Here’s their website: https://www.westcobbpinestraw.com/
They almost always have a $5 coupon code, so call them and ask for the code if you order from them. I can’t remember now what code I used last time. Their pinestraw is always beautiful. Make sure to order the longleaf and not the slash. The longleaf costs a little more but it’s much prettier and lasts much longer.
Thank you!!
Sorry about the first patio furniture. It sure was pretty online. Do you think the Chippendale chairs will be hard and uncomfortable to sit on? Unless you put cushions. Will it bother you the chairs scraping over the brick every time you move them, too. I like patio furniture that swivels and rocks gently and the chairs are made of a soft -I’m not sure if it’s vinyl, but that won’t fade and doesn’t accumulate dirt and pollen. It’s easy to hose off, and the swivel makes it stationary. Your pine straw looks beautiful. In NC I always used pine straw. When we moved to TN, it was the black mulch. I may try pine straw again. The weeds seem to appear very quickly with mulch.
I don’t think so since the back is flat. Also, these chairs are designed with some curvature built in instead of being completely flat like a lot of HDPE chairs. I’ll hope to add seat cushions, too.
The only thing I don’t like about vinyl chairs is how my legs stick to them while wearing shorts. If you have cushions in them, that shouldn’t happen.
I know, that’s what I’ve found. The black mulch doesn’t seem to fight the weeds like pine straw.
The blue table and chairs would complement your shutters. Will you have just the one table now?
The pine straw looks great! It really makes the beds pop.
Sorry to hear about your patio furniture experience! That is a completely different look though, and not nearly as attractive as what you thought you were ordering. What a shame. Actually, just yesterday I had a similar experience while shopping on Pottery Barn. There were some pictures of an item that I loved, but when I looked at the one ‘close up’ and the description, I saw that the picture I liked so much in the vertical line up to the left, was not what they were actually selling. As you suggested, it was probably a picture left over from the original post, before they changed the look of the product. I wonder how many people will be disappointed when they order that item.
Hopefully, your delivery this week won’t be a disappointment.
The pine straw looks great! We use pine straw in our two rain gardens, and pine bark mulch in the flower beds. I love the look of the pine straw, though ours is a lighter color. And yikes, we have to use a lot of bales but thankfully, the cost is no where like it is in Ohio. I’m glad you found a company you like.
That is so frustrating, especially when you’ve been looking forward to getting your order. I hope the next one is better – the set looks great, and I like your idea of grey on the patio. Your yard is looking lovely! I’ve never heard of pine straw before. It’s all bark dust out in the PNW. Thanks for hosting the party! Hope you have a wonderful week.
That’s because the pine straw would be a fire hazard here. I’m always joking with Susan that we have tons in Central Oregon, and our landscaper has to rake it all up and haul it off. I miss the look of pine straw.
But yes, the bark dust just isn’t the same. We got a quote to do rock yesterday. $$$ Mulch it is!
The mulch looks great. A concern with the poly furniture would be squirrels chewing on the legs. Here in NC, the squirrels chew everything from garden hose, bird houses and even sharpening their teeth on my heavy aluminum outdoor set.
Very frustrating!
Susan, I love the Chippendale set, it goes with your house perfectly. I was looking closely at the arm chairs, and it looks like they may not be able to slide under the table bracket or be stopped at the bottom too far away from the table. It appears you would not be able to sit close enough to eat comfortably. I saw that with the side chairs too. I’m not sure if it’s the way the photo was taken or not. I do love them though, that would be my choice.
I like the polywood you’ve chosen. Wow, that set that you’re returning is just downright awful. It looks as those they just took a spray paint and sprayed those bands, no weave or different color at all in the actual material like the photos. We have two polywood chairs made by the Amish that we bought in 2023 that we leave out year-round, with no covers (as recommended). They are 360° swivel Adirondack rocking chairs, and they are fabulous, so sturdy. Ours are a color called coastal grey, which is grey with brown undertones that matched the stone on our home. Sunbrella cushions were made for them for total comfort. I really like your pine straw in your landscape. It really complements the brick !
I like the gray patio set and I think it will look very nice in the area where you’re putting it. Also, the pine straw looks amazing and so much better than the black mulch. Everything is looking really nice and I know you’ve been working hard to make it look that nice!
Pine straw for the WIN!!!!!! Looks great! I also like the gray outdoor table and chairs! Great color. We have a picnic table that same gray! Good choice.
Thanks so much for hosting this charming party!!! I truly do appreciate it as I do know the time involved with it….I hope you and your family are well and enjoying your week!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Susan, the yard looks so nice. Glad you found someone you like. Back breaking work. I do not like the black cloth to prevent weeds because the weeds grow thru it and a nightmare to remove. I use wet newspaper under pine bark, mulch and pine straw. Do you have a farm supply store in the area that might sell pine straw? One house we lived in had 80 pine trees and a ton of pine straw.
I hate ordering online. I have some things to return and detest the hassle.
Last week you said it was 60°. We are closing in on 100. Jealous.
We purchased Lehigh Garden Chairs from Highwood in weathered acorn–a really nice brown (go with everything) shade. Had them since 2020 and they are wonderful. Minimal to no fading, doesn’t show dirt, super comfortable with contoured seat and got tables to match. I would definitely purchase them again.
I also meant to add the Highwood comes in a Federal Blue that would not show dirt, is really lovely and would be an awesome color for your shutters and then your set would coordinate with that element of your home. 🙂
I really like the gray table and chairs and I think you will like them too. Ordering things online is a hit and miss thing and it’s annoying!! I’ve ordered several 4th of July things online the last few months and only one or two things actually arrived like the picture. It’s so aggravating to have to deal with that.
The yard is beautiful!
It is! I wish those type of sellers could be removed from being able to sell online. I’m sorry you’ve experienced that, too. It is super annoying!
Thanks, Susan! It’s slowly getting there.
XXX