Since it’s that sunshine-celebrating time of year, we thought we’d explore some of the most exciting and practical ways to transform your outdoor area into “party central”, “relaxation station”, or whatever vibe you might be going for.  Whether pool-front, waterfront, green-grassy acres or garden bonanza, there are plenty of options to enhance and optimize your exterior spread.

[Photograph © Fiona Newell Weeks]

We’re talking about woven all-weather wicker, ethically-harvested teak frames, heirloom-worthy aluminum, versatile “grid” geometric seating, illuminating lanterns, Parasol canopies, palm planter boxes, hard-as-nails ceramic table tops, retro chaise-on-wheels, and peanut tables, just to name a few.  

Any of those strike your fancy…or at least pique your curiosity, even if you don’t know what they are?

You’re probably thinking, “I’m familiar with wicker…and I’ve always wanted a ceramic-topped table!  But, parasite canopies…? We hired a guy to spray for mosquitoes, so we shouldn’t be needing one of those…”

Hold on, we said parasol canopies, silly!  Those lifesaving umbrella-type things that protect you from frying or going blind when you’re outside eating lunch on a warm and sunny day.  That all came out a little fast, but there is a lot you need to know before making any outdoor furniture decisions this season! 

[Photograph © Gloster]

Woven All-Weather Wicker. 

This isn’t wicker from grandma’s generation, although the “hand-crafted” part still applies.  These pieces feature lightweight, corrosion resistant powder coated aluminum frames clad in the highest quality manufactured fibre.  Soft to the touch, this remarkable polyethylene material is completely weatherproof and resistant to both tears and UV light (as Gloster puts it best in their portfolio catalogue).  Whew, and I thought we were long winded.  Come in-store to discover more about this traditional-looking wicker furniture that uses the latest outdoor materials and technology.  Also, we’ll show you more of the styles and options they offer — and just like all of the words they/we try to cram into our sentences — we assure you it’s a lot.  

Ethically-harvested Teak Furniture. 

We work with companies, such as the aforementioned Gloster, who harvest their hardwood from carefully managed plantations, keeping a close & caring eye on all phases of production.  Literally, they only fell trees they themselves have planted (an average 50 years prior).  What?!  (We are impressed too.)  By allowing the trees to reach a certain level of maturity, this ensures that the wood develops all of the inherent properties, including “high natural oil content, hard-wearing, highly resistant to rotting and almost impervious to the effects of sun, rain, frost or snow.”  Their knowledge and professional discipline is on-point.

[Photograph © Fiona Newell Weeks]

Heirloom-Worthy Aluminum. 

And here we have another company making a bold claim and doing absolutely everything to back it up.  “Guaranteed for life… we want our furniture to become heirlooms”, states McKinnon and Harris, manufacturers of some of the most gorgeous metal-framed furniture we’ve seen, and are lucky enough to offer.  Industrial paint-finishes can be a designer’s worst nightmare (i.e. Orange Peel may work as a hip band name, but not so much for painted surfaces).  On the other hand, what you witness with McKinnon and Harris is smooth elegance personified — like buttercream frosting on your favorite cake.

[Photograph © Gloster]

Grid Geometric Seating. 

Do you covet versatility…pieces that can easily be rearranged or reimagined depending on company, mood or season? 

As we’ve said before, we know many ways you can have your dessert and eat it too.  Unlike your typical, overstuffed living room sectional (these are on a leaner, meaner diet) “GRID” geometric seating allows you to change your outdoor furniture arrangements with different lounge combinations of sofa/chair/table/etc.  So. Many. Possibilities.

Tune in next week for a focus on outdoor fabrics, plus much more!  

Cheers,

D&D