Brown Jordan and Richard Frinier - Drift into 2011

Yesterday's blog was all Brown Jordan and I gave a brief history of one of America' most iconic furniture companies.  We looked at some classic pieces that have stood the test of time - having had new life breathed into them with the development of new materials and modern construction techniques.  One of the highlighted collections and an a recent addition for 2011 is The Architect.

The Architect Courtesy Brown Jordan 2011

For the second new collections this season, Brown Jordan has turned to one of the most prolific designers in the outdoor living community -  Richard Frinier.   Richard is a designer extraordinaire and has enjoyed a long and illustrious career in the design world.  In short, his designs are the embodiment of Outdoor Living. 

Richard's career has spanned over thirty years and he has accumulated no less than seventy design awards for his creative vision!  With over twenty-eight Brown Jordan designs to his credit,. many of these designs are still in production today.  His first design for Brown Jordan was in 1982 - The classic Quantum.  The Quantum can best be described as design royalty.  Over the years, this design has been copied by many but only one company makes the "real deal."  Of course, I'm referring to Brown Jordan and although they say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", there's nothing quite like the the original.
 

Quantum courtesy Brown Jordan

Having designed everything from outdoor living furniture to lighting and indoor design elements, in 2008, Richard was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the International Casual Furniture Association.  This award is the highest honor attainable in the outdoor living commercial world.  Richard and his partner in life and business Catherine run the Richard Frinier company where they collaborate and design for Brown Jordan and some of the most notable outdoor living furniture companies in the world.

Drift

Richard's dreamy Drift collection has raised the bar on outdoor living design, offering a low profile with exceptionally clean lines.  This collection is made from plantation grown teak with a natural or gray patina.

Photograph courtesy Brown Jordan 2010

The collection includes a low profile sofa, cocktail table coffee table, occasional table and chaise lounger,

Photograph courtesy Brown Jordan 2010

The dining chair's are beautiful.

The dining table is available in the three sizes listed below. 

•  36'' Square Dining Table
• 44'' Square Dining Table

44'' x 76'' Rectangular Dining Table with Leaf ( table extends to 101" with leaf)

Photograph Courtesy of Brown Jordan 2010

The lounge chair has two distinct version the sectional style ( no arms) and in the lounge style (with arms) either one is smashing with the addition of the ottoman.


This collection is available with Suncloth® cushions in a myriad of colors.  Many are exclusive to Brown Jordan. The color palettes are all available for preview on the Brown Jordan website.

Brown Jordan saw the potential in going green about four years ago.  At that time, they discontinued the paper catalog and took advantage of the internet for distribution.  I love the Brown Jordan website!  They let you play with collections, colors and fabrics and if you love design like me, it is paradise!

Tomorrow, I will have another new collection from Brown Jordan to share with you.

Brown Jordan

When I think of outdoor furniture one name always pops into my head - Brown Jordan.  The granddaddy of all outdoor furniture design companies, Robert Brown and Hubert Jordan established this wonderful company around 1945.
                                    

Wrought Iron Table (designed circa 1937)

Brown Jordan is said to be the original company to design furniture only for outdoor placement.  Beginning with wrought iron tables and chairs, Brown Jordan sold their creations through the Bullocks department store for around twenty dollars in the late 30s.  These sets are now vintage and, if your lucky enough to find one though an antique dealer, it will be well worth it to hold onto this piece of historical furniture

Walter Lamb Design for Brown Jordan Circa 1947

The second world war left little by way of materials for building furniture so the company took a hiatus. After the war, Brown Jordan  purchased the rights to Walter Lambs iconic designs.  The furniture was made from navy surplus bronze tubing and cotton yacht cording. Originally, the line was offered in several patinas; verdigris, brown bronze or golden bronze, which all, over time, take on an enhanced patina with weathering.

Brown Jordan for Design With In Reach 2010

Today, the pieces are crafted from weatherproof brass that, similarly, will develop a rich patina over time (or it can be polished to return the surface to its original luster). This Collection was recognized with a MoMA design award.

Brown Jordan Tamiami Circa 1957

In the late 1950s, the company expanded from the west coast to the east with the introduction of the Tamiami collection.  Bloomingdale's began selling the chair and those sales started Brown Jordan on the path to becoming the most recognized name in outdoor living furniture.  Today. the Tamiami II looks very much like it's older sibling - and all ready for another generation to enjoy!

Brown Jordan Tamiami II Circa 2010

Brown Jordan, has been at the forefront of innovation in the outdoor industry since it's inception sixty-five years ago.  With technology and always forward thinking designs, it has a stellar reputation with customers and designers alike.  Brown Jordan has more pages of replacement parts in their catalogs than some companies have collections.  They know what heirloom furniture means and you are going to be able find the tiniest part you need for replacing a chair glide, a screw and your slings.

So What's new?

Architect Sofa - 2011

Architect

I'm in love with a American collection for the first time in a long time! It is simply BEAUTIFUL!!!  I took one look at this collection and needed to see more instantly as it was love at first sight!  The lines are dreamy and light but there is a strength behind this collection emanating from it's deep seating and comfortable contours.

The collection contains a sofa, love seat, club chair and ottoman (a large ottoman is available for the sofa, love seat) and, finally, a side table.




The side table becomes a rather unique breakfast tray when used in conjunction with the large ottoman.

Architect is available in 26 Brown Jordan custom frame finishes and more than 130 exclusive outdoor fabrics which allows for versatility when designing for the indoors and out.

Happily, Architect is just one of the new collections.  There are several others being introduced for the 2011 season and they are all spectacular!

Tomorrow, we will take a look at them.

Fabric forecast for the 2011 season.

Forecasters are saying that the concept of moving forward without forgetting the difficult times we are going though is going to influence the color pallets in 2011.  The difficult times so many have experienced are leading many people to seek stability in their surroundings, with their relationships and inside themselves.  We are all looking for ways to save and conserve instead of being wasteful.  Instead of throwing things away, we are starting to look for opportunity to reuse and recycle.

With that in mind, the color trends for 2011 will allow us to bring the past and the future together in fresh new ways.  We are going to see pallets that reflect the earth, and our natural surroundings.  Some of the pallets we are going to be seeing in 2011 are vegetable tones: eggplant, greens, mineral and born in nature neutrals such as fields of hay being harvested, fresh milk and butter.

  
We are also going to be seeing strong colors that take us back to a glamorous but simpler time of film and advertisements in the 30's and 40's.  These pallets will be dominated by black, brown, beige and taupe with deep reds used as accent colors to compliment the flow.

Finding a space for one's self to relax, escape and dream will be reflected in cloud driven pallets with polychromatic hues.  The pallet then flows into astral glows with iridescent qualities much like the following:    bright chartreuse, empire yellow, sea pink, deep sea coral, carrot, brown sugar, ultramarine, clematis blue and bachelor button
.

The world, as a community, will influence much of the color pallets that are shown in 2011.  The color pallets will be a refection of the modern environmental sensibility from all over the world; rich colors and the mixing and matching of of those colors, animal prints and maps of Africa, bright rich colors with tribal influences from South America and geometric pasterns that weave together an eclectic, eye-catching patchwork.

Kettal 2011

One of my favorite vendors is Kettal.  They make the most beautiful furniture!  Each piece speaks to me and is simply fabulous.

Kettalize It!!!

An exclusive system that allows you to decorate in a unique and personalized manner. Choose your favorite collection and create an original combination. Play with the colors of the fabrics, paint, glass, lampshades and mats. The choice is yours.  Don't just play with the 49 fabric colors - you've also got 22 paint colors, glass and lampshades. It's up to you.

WOW!! Who does this?  How many companies will go this far to satisfy their clients?

Needless to say, I was extremely excited to see the additions for the 2011 season! Let me assure you, Kettal not only met my expectations of fabulous - they knocked my socks off!  Welcome the brand new addition to the Kettal family collection, created by designer Rodolfo Dordoni, it sent me into a state of absolute euphoria, it is beautiful creative and oh so chic with a rustic touch. I want this collection !!

The Dining table is Grade A teak with an aluminum base with dining chairs woven with a rope made of braided polyester over an aluminum base. The Bitta has the ability to cradle the body while still allowing the air to flow though the braided polyester.  The natural colors would fit into almost any motif.  If you needed a larger table, you could certainly place more than one table together as the placement of the legs would not impose on additional guests.


 




The collection is large, with various seating components as well as the dining group.

With the choice of a two person or three person sofa you will have lots of room for socializing. The shape is sensual and very inviting.

Made from rope, grade A teak, powder coated aluminum , arcylic fabric, Porotex(tm) fabric.

Daybeds are so en vogue in the outdoor market place and the Bitta daybed is simply, stunning.

Imagine relaxing in this beauty with a cocktail...

Made from rope, grade A teak, powder coated aluminum , arcylic fabric, Porotex(tm) fabric.

With coffee table and footstool this would be an inviting setting for any home.  Please check the Kettal website to see the new Bitta collection and so much more!!