SUMMER SERIES
by Diana Lundin
Sunshine is pouring down and you just want to revel in it, spending all your free time this
summer in the privacy of your own back yard reading a novel or sharing a pitcher of
margaritas with friends.
Synthetic material woven by hand over frames looks like cane and wicker/ Fom Brown Jordan. All photos courtesy of AFMA.
|
But where are you all going to sit? That's where patio furniture comes in.
If you are looking to furnish your outdoor space, you can be daunted by the wealth of
choices in the market today, from a wide variety of styles to materials to prices, says
Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA)
in High Point, N.C.
Our emotional expectations can complicate matters further. We want outdoor furniture to do
more than just look good. We want it to be efficient and functional, too. "The majority of
consumers don't have the luxury of space, time or money. They expect their furnishings to
be productive parts of their lives and want it to work for them even if they just want to
sip lemonade and read a magazine outside," Hirschhaut says.
We also want patio furniture to have long-lasting value. It's an investment. "That's probably
the last set they're going to buy," says Charles Garza of Home Depot's EXPO Design Centers.
When buying patio furniture, consider construction, style and value for the investment.
The "Avanti Sling Collection" from Samsonite Elite has detailing in cast aluminum.
|
Quality Construction
Look for durability. Make sure pieces are sturdy and seams or joints are firm.
Think about how much time you want to spend to maintain the furniture. "Wrought-iron is
guaranteed to rust. It requires a little more maintenance," says Perry Paul of Universal
Patio Furniture in Studio City, Calif. Wood also needs work. It will weather to a natural
silver or gray if a sealant isn't applied up to several times a year.
Other materials include resin, aluminum, cast aluminum,
wicker and rattan. There are combinations such as wood and metal,
metal and glass, glass and wood, all in an array of finishes. Metal
is powder-coated for durability.
As
for comfort? That's all up to you. "Tall people, wide people, short
people - everything fits everyone differently," Garza
says.
Decide among cushion sets, sling sets or strap sets. Cushions
are more expensive and demand more maintenance, liking cleaning and
storing for the winter. But they are also the most comfortable.
Sling sets are the most popular and can last five to 10 years.
Fabrics include cotton and acrylics. If you want longevity,
look for material that resists fading, is washable, will not mildew
and repels stains.
The Veneman "Silver Collection" celebrates simplicity with flowing lines.
|
Style
One of this year's most innovative trends, says Hirschhaut, is teak combined with the
smooth lines of aluminum for a modern look with a warm touch. The use of "mixed materials"
brings striking new style and craftsmanship to the marketplace, along with increased
durability and versatility.
But don't choose a design based just on what is in style. Take a cue from your house's
architecture, says Los Angeles garden designer Mayita Dinos. "Look at the lines of your
house, the simplicity or the complexity of them, and make decisions on whether you want to
contrast or complement them," she says. "If it's very busy, you might want to contrast it
with something that is extremely elegant."
Conversely, you can take a modern house with sleek lines and complement it with Asian-style
furniture because of the cleanliness of lines. "You can go cross culture where you pair the
same aesthetic in another culture," Dinos says.
And be aware of just how big - or small - your furniture will be outside. "Scale is tricky,"
she says. A big chunky Craftsman-style house would not be complemented by small, fussy
Victorian wrought-iron patio furniture when wood would be a better choice.
You can also consider your outdoor furniture as an extension of your house's interior
decoration and make a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. You can do that at a quality level
compatible to what you have inside, Hirschhaut says.
Price and Value
If you can't afford to buy more than a table and chairs on your initial shopping trip,
remember most manufacturers carry their lines for at least four years and up to 20 years,
depending on the popularity. Later, you can add chaise lounges, bar chairs, gliders or love
seats to your collection.
"There's a lot to think about," says Garza, "and it's just patio furniture!"
Diana Lundin is the editor of Move.