Bringing you the latest trends in high end outdoor furniture. It is my highest hope that you find this blog to be interesting and educational. I will bring you as much information as possible on the happenings of the upscale outdoor furniture market and keep you abreast of the latest industry trends and the best offerings available. Please feel free to add your comments if and when the spirit moves you. As well, feel free to offer any advice on what you believe could make this a better blog. I'm always listening!
I have one ritual on Valentine's day. I follow, and have been following since early childhood, ( Thanks Mom!!) an evening with Holly Golightly, Paul "Fred" Varjack and Cat. I still get goose bumps at the start of Moon River...
Today I thought it would be fun to see if I could create a look from Holly's wardrobe, using outdoor furniture. Lets face it, Breakfast at Tiffany's is on any fashionista's top ten list of movies to watch and drool over.
Thank you Hubert de Givenchy for helping to create Holly Golightly!
Royal Botania introduces it's brand new D-Lux collection. Feminine curves created with the highest quality aluminum give the D-Lux collection the elegant beauty of the perfect black dress.
Designed by Kris Van Puyvelde, De-Lux is available in both a black and white finish.
The chairs are available with and without arms and the tables come in a variety of sizes.
Frou, Frou from Sywawa has always resembled an amazing hat to me. I love this umbrella! Tuuci - maker of some of the most innovative Shade Architecture offers us the Pagoda. I honestly could not decide which umbrella would be more perfect so I chose them both.
With the most feminine furniture and beautiful umbrellas, I think the most minimal of accessories would be in order. Only a few...
I love the newest fabric offering from Elitis! It simulates the richest of velvets and would be fabulous in some decorative toss cushions. Bocci has these beautiful lights! Customize them to your hearts content. Paola Lenti (I love her and her always gorgeous furniture) - This time I think her rugs would be an excellent choice in our Breakfast at Tiffany's room.
I enjoyed this exercise in using my imagination to create something iconic and stylish. I enjoyed it so much I am going to start every week off with a new movie. I think it will be really fun to show how fashion can influence furniture and/or industrial design and vice-versa.
"Pink isn't just a color, it's an attitude." ~ Miley Cryus
When I found out Pantone had chosen Honeysuckleas their colour of the year, I have to admit, I was pretty nonplussed. It's a beautiful colour but how much of pink do you really want to use in an outdoor area before you become bee food?
As an accent, sure I could see that but doing a whole space?
Hmmmm...
Not so much.
I put the thought aside, not paying much attention for the last few months. Then yesterday, I started looking for new bed linens, and was immediately drawn to pink. It's my favorite colour. A pale pink makes me soooooooo happy :)
I spent a great deal of time on Garnet Hill, Pine Cone Hill and The Company Store websites. I know what I like - crisp percale sheets, thread count should be between 250 and 350 and anything above that is simply throwing money to the wind. I take a pass on Sateen. While the hand (the feel) is fabulous, I like the crisp cool feeling of percale. Having designed bedroom/bathrooms of some San Diego most influential, I know my linens. I'm still thinking about what direction to take my bed in but it's got me thinking about pink.
I visited Lily Pulitzer. (OMG! I love Lily) The sunny colours and patterns inspired me.
I started looking for all that is pink.
I admit, I was surprised by all the items I was able to find. When I checked the mail yesterday afternoon, I received my House Beautiful magazine and to my utter surprise the latest issues is called The Power Of Pink.
We all look at dreamy pictures in glossy magazines and think,
"WOW! That's what I want my space to look like!"
Then comes the daunting task of creating the room. If you are starting from scratch, I highly recommend seeking out the advice of a landscape designer. Placing the foliage and tree's in the right locations is going to give your outdoor space the extra oomph it needs. Adding the best materials for the patio, walkway and pergola will give you a look that you will enjoy for as long as you live in your home.
There is nothing wrong with simple. Simple can be classic and elegant. However, adding touches that make it feel more like a room and less like a stark space with a few pieces of furniture placed symmetrically around a coffee table can transform the mundane into the brilliant.
Ugh!
Nothing say's boring to me like a sofa and love seat placed around a coffee table.
Similarly to your indoor spaces, you should strive to find themes. An entry point into a unique and personal theme could be simply bringing attention to those things that you love. Around those things you love, you could decorate and accentuate their special character. It could be as simple as choosing a colour on a pillow to accessorize with or a much more complicated thematic layering. Experiment with color, materials, balance, lighting and composition. Remember, its about your personal expression and your outdoor space is a canvas by which you can render your own masterpiece of outdoor style.
What, do you love?
Do you dig on a Moroccan theme?
Think about the additions to the furniture you can make with this theme. Take a look at these colour pallets. Just imagine what you can do with all this colour!
Table concepts could include a heavy wood or a light and ethereal glass. My choice would be a nice metal base with a fabulous Neille Olson custom designed mosaic table top. I have worked on many projects with KNF and find them to be wonderfully expressive!
This table is called Morocco.
The sizes and shapes can be custom made and mind blowing. I highly recommend a visit to the KNF website. From there you can download a catalog and see all the styles and shapes offered. KNF does do bases and chairs.
I might be inclined to find different chairs. Remember to measure and make sure the seat height works with the base you choose. Not too high, not too low :)
Marrakesh also by KNF designs.
I love the Marrakesh chairs by Richard Frienier for Dedon. This is an extensive collection. If mixing and matching furniture pieces is a little overwhelming, Richard Frienier and Dedon have you covered.
Marrakesh is a resin weave collection.
Along with the colour choices to the right, you can also do a Brazilian brown or red. Each piece is hand woven out of Dedon's amazing resin weave material.
I found these at Outdoor Lighting Lamps - a great resource for checking out styles and getting information on outdoor lighting. To the right, West Elm makes a cute candle holder in a Moroccan theme.
ZGallerie makes these lamps in green, orange, white and black. Don't forget to add a candle!
I also love these curtains blowing in the breeze from Orvis. They are made from yarn dyed polyester with rust free grommets. They also provide privacy and shade.
PotteryBarn makes this rain drum out of aluminum with an antique bronze finish.
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These drum tables are a all weather woven wicker. Each can be used as a side table, foot stool or extra seating.
Pillows and rugs are always a good idea, especially if you are feeling a slight trepidation about re-doing your outdoor space. Just punch it up with some amazing pillows or a rug. Even a simple Sisile rug with some great pillows will give the room added definition and dimension. Once you start, you will want to add more!
Check out these assorted pillows and rugs.
Add a splash of colour with some toss pillows that are hand made with exquisite fabrics and detail. These toss pillows are from one of my favorite places to browse - Etsy. You can see all the interesting Moroccan collections here on Etsy's website.
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Rugs can be a great decorative focal point. One example is the weatherized nylon rug from Rug studio which is simply dreamy. Another is a "go simple" look with a nice synthetic jute rug from Pottery Barn.
With the most feminine 
