There is something special about sitting beneath an Ethan Umbrella, protected from the elements beneath a beautifully crafted hardwood frame
Handcrafted in New Zealand from Iroko, marine-inspired fittings and premium Sunbrella fabric, it brings a distinctive sense of presence to an outdoor setting, combining generous shade with the warmth and character of beautifully made furniture.
The Ethan Umbrella is an integral part of any Ethan Setting. Its matching hardwood and carefully considered details complement the furniture beneath it, helping complete the Setting and the wider outdoor room.
Centred over an Ethan dining setting or standing alongside sofas and loungers, it helps create a relaxed outdoor living experience and an inviting place to gather, unwind and enjoy the outdoors for longer.
A design with nautical roots and pioneering innovation
The story of the Ethan Umbrella reaches back to Ethan’s original workshops north of Auckland, the City of Sails, where sailing and boatbuilding were part of the landscape.
In the early 1980s, Jon Parson developed the first Ethan umbrellas, with some of those early examples crafted from recycled Kauri beams. It is a fitting connection with New Zealand’s marine heritage, with Kauri itself prized in early New Zealand boatbuilding, including for spars.
That nautical influence can still be seen in the Ethan Umbrella today. Rope edging, leather-reinforced canopy corners, brass-tipped spars, stainless-steel fittings and purpose-designed pulley systems all carry something of that heritage into the finished piece.
Over the years Ethan has continued to refine and improve the design, pioneering innovative features such as the integrated Internal Pulley and Umbrella Lighting systems. Ethan was the first in New Zealand to develop this kind of functionality within an outdoor umbrella, and believes it may also have been a global first.
Freestanding flexibility
Freestanding placement gives the Ethan Umbrella even greater flexibility around sofas, loungers and other outdoor areas where independent shade is required.
Octagonal models up to 3600mm work well in this configuration, along with both square umbrella models.
It allows the umbrella to be positioned around the way a space is actually used, bringing the same warmth, craftsmanship and design language of Ethan furniture to other areas of the garden, terrace or poolside, including alongside sofas and loungers.
Crafted in Iroko
Iroko has long been central to Ethan furniture, chosen for its strength, durability and natural warmth outdoors. It also has its own connection with the sea, with a long history of use in boatbuilding.
For the Ethan Umbrella, that makes it an especially fitting material.
The substantial Iroko pole and spars bring a warm, tactile quality overhead and create a natural relationship with the Ethan furniture beneath. The umbrella becomes part of the complete setting rather than simply an accessory above it.
The laminated construction of the pole also contributes strength and stability, helping give the umbrella the substantial feel that has become part of its character.
Details that make the difference
The craftsmanship continues well beyond the timber frame.
Wood-turned bosses are reinforced with brass rings, while brass-tipped spars and marine-grade stainless-steel connector bolts provide strength through the moving parts of the umbrella. A solid brass sleeve where the pole meets the stand gives a precise, stable fit.
These details may be easy to overlook from a distance, but together they are an important part of how the umbrella feels, performs and ages.
They also reinforce the nautical influence that runs through the design: Iroko, brass, stainless steel, rope and carefully engineered fittings brought together in a way that feels both functional and distinctly Ethan.
The Ethan Umbrella Stand
The Ethan Umbrella Stand is an integral part of the Ethan Umbrella system, designed to complement both the umbrella and the furniture around it.
Crafted from timber with marine nylon rope handles, its angled sides provide useful foot space whether positioned beneath a table or used with a freestanding umbrella.
A stainless-steel latch locks the umbrella securely into place, helping prevent it from lifting or rotating in the wind, while the weighted construction provides a substantial anchor.
For freestanding Umbrella applications requiring greater stability, the XL Stand provides a wider base and larger footprint.
Lighting for evenings outdoors
For those wanting to extend the setting into the evening, Ethan’s optional LED Light Ribs can be integrated directly into the umbrella.
The lights cast a warm, even glow across the setting, with high-quality outdoor LEDs housed within matching hardwood ribs. Wiring is concealed through the laminated umbrella pole, maintaining the clean appearance of the frame.
A discreet push-button switch sits beneath the table edge, while power can be supplied either through a hardwired connection or a rechargeable battery depending on the installation.
The light fittings remain in place when the umbrella is furled, keeping day-to-day use straightforward.
Rather than treating lighting as something to add around the setting later, it can be considered as part of the umbrella from the outset.
Effortless adjustment, built in
A substantial outdoor umbrella should still be easy to use.
Ethan’s Internal Pulley system integrates a purpose-designed marine-grade stainless-steel winch into the setting, allowing the umbrella to be raised and lowered with ease while seated at the table.
The marine nylon pulley rope is concealed inside the laminated umbrella pole, while the turned hardwood and stainless-steel handle operates smoothly and locks securely with a brass pin.
For freestanding umbrellas, the External Pulley uses a simple block-and-tackle system with quality marine pulleys. The rope is then stored neatly in a matching Sunbrella fabric bag.
Both systems reflect the same idea: the mechanism should work beautifully without compromising the appearance of the umbrella.
Built for life outdoors
The canopy receives the same attention to detail as the frame beneath it.
Ethan uses Sunbrella Marine fabric, made from solution-dyed, UV-stable fibres selected for demanding outdoor environments.
The seams are sewn with Gore Tenara specialty thread, chosen for its resistance to sunlight, saltwater and changing temperatures.
Leather reinforces the high-wear canopy corners, traditional rope edging finishes the perimeter, and a vent at the top helps improve stability when conditions become breezy.
Each element has a practical role, while together they contribute to the distinctive look, feel and longevity of the Ethan Umbrella.
Protection between uses
Every Ethan Umbrella comes with a substantial matching fabric tie to keep the canopy secure when furled.
For additional protection, an optional Umbrella Bag is made from Weathermax80 marine fabric with Gore Tenara thread, a heavy-duty stainless YKK slider and chunky zip, and a padded top.
An internal fibreglass rod makes it easier to position and remove the bag from larger umbrellas.
It is another example of the practical details being considered around day-to-day use, helping make protecting the umbrella simple when it is not in use.
A Longer Life by Design
Outdoor umbrellas spend their lives exposed to sun, wind and changing weather. One advantage of Ethan making its umbrellas here in New Zealand is the ability to continue supporting them long after the original purchase.
Replacement spars, poles, canopies and other parts are available, alongside a full repair and refurbishment service for both umbrellas and stands. Some Ethan customers are still using their original umbrellas more than 30 years later.
“We purchased our Ethan Umbrella we think in the late 80’s. It has travelled around New Zealand with us as we have moved over the years. We have changed the canvas once but the frame is as good today as when we purchased it. Beautifully crafted and the quality is second to none. A number of our friends have purchased after loving everything about ours. Go Ethan Master-craftsmen.” Andra & Tich Williams, Auckland
That longevity comes from thinking beyond the initial purchase. Individual components can be repaired, refreshed or replaced when required, helping extend the useful life of the original umbrella for many years to come.
Choosing the right umbrella model for your setting
Choosing an umbrella is about more than matching its diameter to the tabletop. The aim is to provide useful shade across the complete setting, including the people seated around it.
Ethan’s recommended sizes have been refined through years of making and selling the umbrellas, along with customer feedback and first-hand experience of how the settings are actually used.
That is why the recommended umbrella is deliberately more generous than the table itself.
Take the 1800 Round Setting. The table is 1800mm in diameter, while Ethan recommends a 3600mm octagonal umbrella to provide shade across the wider setting rather than simply covering the tabletop.
How do I know which size I need?
Ethan has already matched a recommended umbrella size to each dining setting, whether round, oval, rectangular or square.
If you’re choosing a new Ethan Setting, you’ll find the recommended umbrella listed under Specs & Models on each individual setting page within Dining Settings.
If you already own an Ethan Setting and are unsure which model or size you have, the Ethan team can help identify it and recommend the right umbrella.
Make it your own
Because the canopy creates such a significant area of colour, fabric choice can have a real impact on the character of the complete setting.
With an extensive choice of Sunbrella colours available, the umbrella and cushions can be coordinated for a more unified look or contrasted to give the setting greater individuality.
The umbrella and cushions can be considered together to create a more cohesive, tailored setting that sits naturally within the architecture and landscape.
Explore Ethan’s Sunbrella fabric colours
From its early Kauri beginnings to today’s refined Iroko construction, integrated pulley systems and optional evening lighting, the Ethan Umbrella carries the same attention to design, craftsmanship and longevity found throughout the Ethan collection.
Beautifully considered from canopy to stand, it provides shade, protection and light while completing the setting beneath it.
Bring Your Outdoor Space Together
Ethan’s experienced team can help guide you through the options, from choosing the right umbrella model and Stand to selecting fabrics, lighting and accessories that work beautifully with your furniture and space.
With personalised advice, each element can be considered together to create an outdoor space that feels comfortable, cohesive and beautifully suited to the way you live.