The arrival of Indian Ocean on the furniture design scene in 1990 coincided with a shift in the design, use and views of outdoor living spaces. Design that links indoors and outside, via a series of seamlessly flowing spaces, has become de rigueur and Indian Ocean has played its part in this lifestyle change.

Indian Ocean designs and produces luxurious outdoor furniture and creates concepts for balconies, country garden or superyachts. Co-founder and managing director Jamie Hobbs first imported beautiful, oversized parasols from Madagascar, where his father was then the Honorary Consul. He followed this up with a complementary collection of teak garden furniture, which is FSC-certified, and named the business Indian Ocean in homage to its primary inspiration. Elegant, comfortable ‘heritage’ pieces remain part of the core collection as does a commitment to the finest quality materials, detail and high-spec finishes. But – over 35 years on from its simple beginnings – the brand has gone higher-octane. 

Edgy, contemporary designs to furnish a variety of outside spaces including outdoor lighting and other accoutrements for modern outdoor living, all now form part of the collection. ‘Our teak heritage pieces link to the traditions of the past, but we are constantly innovating for the future,’ says Hobbs. ‘We offer the most technically advanced fabrics and designs which are inspiring and practical as well as totally comfortable and relaxing, enhancing our enjoyment of the great outdoors.’

An initial concept can take up to two years to perfect from sketch to final testing. Collections are viewable at Indian Ocean’s two London stores (Balham and Hampstead) and at Harrods, and orders are fulfilled from a British-based warehouse, via a team that specialises in old-school customer service and their expertise in shipping overseas to clients’ homes.

Indian Ocean has two London showrooms and an extensive display in Harrods.