Design Details “Cool Spaces
for Warm Weather” by Nancy Barsotti
Will global warming allow us to have a longer season to enjoy
our porches, decks and patios? If so,
perhaps it’s time to give more thought to the design and use of our outdoor living
spaces.
Outdoor furnishings
have come a long way from wrought iron and redwood. My new favorites are the many styles made of
weather resistant fiber woven over powder coated aluminum frames. From contemporary European styles to the more
traditional curved wicker, the furniture is both elegant and functional. This advanced fiber resists Ultra-violet
light, moisture and bacteria. It will
not tear, snag or fade and is available in an array of colors. Whether you choose the upscale designs of Brown and Jordan or the more affordable Crate and Barrel, you can find a style
to suit your taste and budget. I also
like the FSC-certified solid eucalyptus wood finished with polyurethane stains
with comfortable cushions from Pottery
Barn as well as the time-tested teak.
The “Mateo Collection” from Richard Schultz features anodized
aluminum with an elastomeric mesh that will look and wear beautifully for
years.
One of the best ways to accent these furnishings is with fabric.
I know I am dating myself, but I can remember when the choice was just a
few solid colors and stripes that looked like awnings. Wow! Now there are endless patterns and
colors from companies such as Sunbrella and
the designer lines like Kravet and Schumacher. Whether you favor a Victorian style floral, a
bold Marimekko print, a retro geometric,
vivid stripes or a Bali-inspired botanical design, there is no excuse to have a
boring backyard or plain porch.
Skyline Designs
have you covered with cushions made from polyurethane outdoor foam, marine
quality zippers and even UV resistant thread and covers to protect from the
elements and dirt, which I still recommend when the furniture is not in use.
Fire pits add so
much glow and warmth to the outdoor setting.
If space permits, a built-in fireplace of stone or brick, surrounded by
benches or chairs, is a nice gathering place.
For smaller spaces, there are fire bowls made of steel by Colombo Construction and even a “Vesta” Fire Table by Stone Forest. Many local garden stores have these and other
selections.
For the dedicated grill chef, the outdoor kitchen is the latest and most popular addition to your
entertaining prowess. Companies such as Kalamazoo, Wolf, Subzero and Fire King
will make sure you don’t have to set foot inside your indoor kitchen all summer
long. Long-gone are charcoal grills,
replaced by stainless steel gas grills of all sizes and configurations, warming
drawers, side burners for pots, refrigerators and icemakers. Like most things, the sky is the limit and
the choices go from simple to fancy, affordable to expensive.
For some afternoon sun shading umbrellas look no further than Tuuci. They make an amazing dual-cantilever parasol
that opens in a variety of ways and sizes and folds seamlessly. It is available in a range of Sunbrella fabrics
and colors. Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel are good sources too.
Accessories always
make the room. Poufs that recall slouch
knit hats designed by a Dutch textile designer and made by Bonnet remind me of fancy beanbag chairs. Side chairs by Janus et Cie, “Forest” and
“Rion,” are fun designs of powder-coated aluminum in great colors. Planters – where would I start to mention the
endless variety be they ceramic, terra cotta or even resin? Pillows of
different sizes and shapes of the above –mentioned outdoor fabrics would be the
best pick-me-ups for your existing furniture.
Polypropylene outdoor rugs of will set-off seating and dining areas. Hammocks of colorful weaves or macramé are
popular again. There are even contemporary takes on them such as Seora’s marine plywood on a stainless
frame. Colorful dinnerware set on rattan mats is the perfect finishing
touch. My all-time favorite is Fiesta
Ware. Last week I attended the Tabletop
Show in New York and saw Fiesta’s latest color – flamingo. It was paired with other recent colors -
peacock blue, lemongrass, tangerine, sunflower and ivory. I love combining all
of them for a fabulous riot of color on the table.
Don’t forget the all-important statement of lighting. Rotoluxe
makes illuminated stands and planters of recycled plastic powered by the
sun. Like the comet, “Halley’ by Vibia is an arch of LED
lighting on configurable metal poles.
They can be used in the yard, over a table or seating area.
Wishing you a long, lazy summer to enjoy your new stylish outdoor
living spaces.
