Dreaming of Summer

Summer is just around the corner – or is this wishful thinking on my part? At this time of year my thoughts turn to thinking of summer and imagining the warmth and taking time to relax outside. So my attention was rightfully piqued when I saw these beautiful pieces of furniture. I always look for a theme when I am captivated by images, and these pieces have canopies over them, thereby eliminating the need for an umbrella. I like the fact in design that ‘form follows function’ and especially when function can be made inherently beautiful.  In other words these loungers are self-contained and functionally-integrated escapes from the sun.

 Hemisphere Lounge Chairs,Cocktail and Side Tables, Orbit with Canopy - Richard Frinier for Dedon

  
Daydream Daybeds, Cocktail and Side Tables - Richard Frinier for Dedon

I can just imagine sitting in the warmth in these beautifully designed and functionally-integrated pieces of furniture.
What about you? Are you dreaming about summer?

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, lifestyle, and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

25 Top Patio Chairs

Why is well designed outdoor furniture so hard to come by????????? Everywhere I look I am visually assaulted by poorly designed and equally stinky, (as in smell) off-gassing furniture manufactured in China. I have through diligent searching found some truly amazing, beautiful to look at, and environmentally friendly outdoor furniture that is not manufactured in China. FYI Knoll practices Sustainable Design. All Knoll Space seating is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® for low-emitting products.

First the UGLY........

Okay that's enough of that, now for the sublime...................

These chairs are so beautiful and sculptural and are appropriately call "The Clover Chair"

A truly classic and timeless design by Knoll - the Bertoria Chair and
the appropriately named Paperclip Table

I am partial to the Bertoria chair in white powder coated finish with a white vinyl chair pad.
It also works equally well indoors.

This is a design by the prolific Philippe Starck called One Cafe

The One Cafe also comes in black/ivory and a bar stool is available
with slip cover options in white cotton.

Another design by Philippe Starck called Dr No by Kartell is stackable.
The Dr Na aluminum table is practical, simple and a perfect companion piece.

The Lord Yo Chair (above) designed by Philippe Starck, is a take-off on the classic Lloyd Loom chair.
I like the cotton slipcover. They also come with Leather Slipcovers so you can take them
indoors in the winter for an attractive addition to your kitchen or dining room.

Knoll Noguchi Cyclone Table Kissi-Kissi Table One Cafe Table

Bo Chair Miss Lacy Chair Toy Chair

Now for a few divine settings to get you in the mood for those lazy, hazy days of summer

Sigh

What makes a perfect outdoor setting for you?
Please leave a comment and let me know.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Be Faithful to Your Own Taste.....Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

I thought the above quote by Billy Baldwin was very fitting to describe the exclusive outdoor furniture collection which was originally created by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan in the mid-1940s. Just after World War II, the furniture designer Walter Lamb, began experimenting with bronze and copper tubing salvaged from sunken naval ships at Pearl Harbor and constructing prototypes incorporating canvas and yacht roping. The result was a collection defined by it's sculptural curves, sturdy construction and superb comfort. Today, Walter Lamb's furniture is still as timeless as ever and is still handcrafted to Lamb’s rigorous specifications by Brown Jordan. For modern use Brown Jordan has replaced the bronze pipe with weatherproof brass, which over time will develop a rich patina. Vintage pieces of Lamb's are now selling at starting prices of $5,000.00. Which goes to prove that nothing that is well designed and well crafted is 'ever out of style'.

Left: Vintage 1940's Walter Lamb Brown Jordan Rocking chaise in bronze, canvas and yacht roping.
Right: Vintage 1940's Walter Lamb Brown Jordan Bronze chaise rewebbed in cotton yacht cord.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Janus et Cie - The Ultimate Teak Umbrellas

Janus et Cie Teak Octagonal Umbrellas

Janus et Cie makes the ultimate in teak umbrellas. I am fascinated by the attention to detail and craftsmanship they put into their umbrellas. The brass pulley assembly and the leather strapping is what makes this teak umbrella a work of art. I like to refer to it as the 'Hermes' of umbrellas. How wonderful to sit under this umbrella and gaze up into the beautiful design of the interior. Janus et Cie's teak is plantation harvested and is truly an investment that will give years of pleasure.

Janus et Cie Teak Octagonal Umbrellas

Care and Maintenance for Teak: Teak is a wood that has traditionally been used on ships because it is strong and durable, and because of it's ability to stand up under humid conditions. Teak is one of the best woods for outdoor furniture and umbrellas because it requires little or low maintenance depending on the look you want. If teak is left untreated it will weather to a beautiful silvery gray patina, while retaining its strength and durability for many years. Weathering can be accelerated by washing the teak with a mild soap solution and the addition of a teaspoon of bleach to a gallon of water. Rinse with clean clear water. If you want to keep the natural beauty of teak, treating it with good quality teak wood care products will enable it to keeps it's characteristic golden honey golden color. If oil is applied to teak, it must be done to a perfectly clean and dry surface. Proper care and maintenance of your teak umbrella and teak furniture will enhance its beauty for years to come.

Other related posts you might be interested in:
How to CLEAN and CARE for LUCITE      25 Top Patio Chairs    Summer Inspiration

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Lucite Patio Bench

This is a fabulous new design for a lucite patio bench by the talented Jordan Capella in LA. What makes this bench perfect for outdoors is the lucite base and the fabric it is upholstered in, which is a solution dyed acrylic. Many companies are now carrying this type of fabric. I love the modern and fun way in which Jordan has used lucite to create his latest design. Good work Jordan!!

For a previous post where I have featured Jordan's work click here.

Check out the following web-sites for some companies that carry solution dyed acrylic fabrics for outdoor living. Tip: I sometimes use this type of fabric for indoor upholstery as it is very durable and cleanable.

Good for use in high traffic areas with kids and pets.

Kravet Soleil

Perennials Fabrics

Scalamandre Island Cloth Collection

Lulu DK Fabrics

Seacloth

Sunbrella

Weatherwize

Alaxi Fabrics

Nomi Fabrics

Summer Inspiration

Don't you love this photo. It reminds me of childhood summers, bu we didn't have cool furniture like this. These pieces are works of art and very whimsical. They are from Richard Schultz. On their web-site they have a video of the design behind the creation of this collection called "Topiary - A Garden of Luxuriant Creativity". They would also be great indoors. Maybe the love seat version in an Entry Foyer.

I want to have a stack of books on that table and sit and read for hours.... from Janus et Cie.
I would put these at the cottage.

Makes me want to be sipping a Peach Bellini. Also the perfect chair for cuddling up in.Dedon

Also from Dedon
I saw this "stack" recently at a trade show and was in awe of it. You know how ugly that patio furniture looks in the winter with all the vinyl covers. Well with this design in the winter you look out onto sculpture. Also if you have a small space they store compactly.

This chair is in the movie Oceans 13 in the lounge. I think it is clever use of the term Indoor/Outdoor furniture. Lulu Easy Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue

Love the nautical feel of this chair compete with sun shade. Janus et Cie

This chair is remarkably cute....from
Anthropology

This chair is what I call CC (cheap & chic). They aren't recommend for outdoor use, but I would use them in a covered area. I used to have a set of these same chairs in tortoise finish in my office boardroom sitting on top of a Persian carpet, around a glass conference table, and they looked fantastic. Somewhere along the way a client had to have them and I didn't know where to get more of them until seeing them at Ballard Designs. But now I am liking the black. I think they would look great on a patio with white cushions, white umbrella and a Parisian style sidewalk table with a black wrought iron base and a carrara marble top.