It’s hard to imagine outdoor furniture standing the test of time, especially here in Texas. But like this family-owned business, O.W. Lee’s patio furniture and fire pits are built to last.
O.W. Lee Company is named after its founder, Oddist Winfred Lee, who was born in Brownsville in 1910. In the ‘30s, Oddist moved his family to California, where he founded his firm in 1947, making gates and railing before adding wrought iron dinettes. He did the design and fabrication while his wife, Gerda, made all of the cushions. The company began to produce patio furniture under Oddist and Gerda’s son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Beverly Lee. Now in its fourth-generation of family ownership, O.W. Lee has moved back to Texas, settling into a 412,000 square foot manufacturing facility on 27 acres in Comfort.
After all these years, the most significant aspects of O.W. Lee’s design philosophy remain quality and comfort. Breanna Powers, the company’s marketing manager, says this has helped them stand out in the patio furniture industry. “We want to build it to last and for it to be incredibly comfortable for the long-term,” she says.
Powers shares that O.W. Lee strives to use “the highest quality materials and processes, so that it's not going to rust out or break and fall apart.” This quality also goes into the cushioning. Powers says, “We use indoor quality foam so that you experience the same kind of comfort that you would sitting on your living room couch.” This quality is backed by what Powers distinguishes as “one of the best warranties in the industry.”
While some of the manufacturing is done by machine, Powers emphasizes that a significant amount is still done by hand. “It's made by people who live here in Boerne and Comfort and Kerrville,” she says. “For example, our ‘Classico' collection has a lot of metal strapping. That's not done by a machine. That's done by a guy standing there hammering it onto the chair,” Powers points out. “There's a level of craftsmanship and human touch to our brand.”
Quality and comfort are important, but the look often leads the way. O.W. Lee has that covered, too. Each year O.W. Lee curates its collections, finishes, tiles, and fabrics, ensuring the styles are up-to-date and that there’s something for everyone. “We typically try to keep our eye on the trends,” Powers shares. “We have a pretty good sense of what people are looking for.”
And what is in-demand these days? “Fabrics in blues and beiges seem to be the most popular right now, but I think greens and bolder colors are about to make a comback,” Powers notes. They’re also introducing lighter finishes in response to customer feedback. There are over 100 fabric choices, and O.W. Lee offers a wide range of color options and patterns, including southwestern, geometric, and medallion designs. Even the solid color options bring visual interest with variations in weaving, including plain, chevron, and basket weave patterns.
O.W. Lee is excited to debut a modern seating collection for 2026, “Horizon,” and reintroduce a previously discontinued line, “San Cristobal,” which features a hard-to-find Old World aesthetic. Plus, new fire pit collections debut in October. “In Texas, our fire pits are hugely popular,” Powers says. “They're perfect for those fall and winter evenings to keep you cozy.”
“Texas tends to lean a little more towards the traditional collections versus the modern lines,” according to Powers, “because they fit the more rustic aesthetic found here.” Powers notes that their top-selling collection “Monterra” is particularly popular in the Lone Star State. “It's very unique. It’s wrought iron, has that rugged sort of look, and is unbelievably comfortable.”
If you want to see their designs for yourself, Home & Patio in San Antonio carries their lines. Powers points out that showrooms can’t keep everything they make in stock, so dealers are equipped to place custom orders. Retailers like Home & Patio have all of the tile, fabric, and finish samples on hand, enabling you to design the perfect piece for your patio now and in the future. “The thing that sets O.W. Lee apart is that we really strive to make things that last. It's made to be heirloom quality. It's going to last long enough to pass down to your kids and your grandkids.”
OW Lee owlee.com | 830-267-9533 | 1206 Fifth St., Comfort
Home & Patio homeandpatio.com | 210-698-5052 | 19727 I-10 W, San Antonio
“It's made by people who live here in Boerne and Comfort and Kerrville. There's a level of craftsmanship and human touch to our brand.”