The Oxford suite is stunning in appearance, with an elegant feel. The colour is
beautifully achieved by the subtle combination of 2 pale shades of cream and light
grey. The General feel is sturdy and firm without racking or twisting. The feet sit
evenly although I am using it on artificial grass. It is easily moved around if
the cushions are removed first.
The seat cushions themselves fit very well and are snug within the frames covering
all the seating area and not leaving any room for slipping about. The fabric is thick
and has a premium quality feel. I have not had reason to remove the covers however
I did experience some staining from some flower petals that had sat on the surface
overnight then mixed with dew in the early morning. The pink streak was easily
sponged away by a weak solution of washing detergent. I was disappointed to find
the base cushion absorbed and held onto a quantity of water long after attracting
morning dew. drying it out was prolonged and awkward.
The seating angle feels a little casual and overly relaxed. The back cushion while
deep and soft does not support the user very much so there is a feeling that you are
almost laying backwards. this in turn tends to propel (albeit gradually) the user
forwards in the seat. Not a problem if sitting with your feet up though.
I had some initial reservations concerning the glass top on the table moving however
the suckers hold it firmly in place. One massive issue is the storage and general
protection of the cushions. I appreciate the fabric is shower proof but users will
normally wish to avoid any wet weather or overnight dew. The seat cushions are very
large so a big cushion box is necessary if not storing overnight in house or garage
etc. I purchased a 680-litre size which holds all the back cushions and chair cushions
but the settee size is a huge single unit and still does not fit into my storage box.
That is not a problem with the suite itself but certainly a factor to consider.
In the absence of a bespoke cover, I elected to protect the suite with individual 300D
covers for each part. I used the covers overnight to avoid removing the cushions and
any soaking from dew or overnight rain. I have now additionally covered the entire
suite and day covers with a single 600D for the coming Autumn/Winter period.