Incorporate Interesting Decor for Vacation Getaway Spot

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Jennifer Kimrey shares in the Houston Chronicle that"Decorating and furnishing a vacation home can be very different from decorating and furnishing your first home or primary residence.

A prevalent trend that has lasted years is decorating your second home to honor its location, but that doesn't mean everything has to be "beachy" everywhere - moderation,please.

A great way get more enjoyment out of your second home is upgrading the outdoor areas. Cozy outdoor sitting areas, for example, allow homeowners to extend their indoor living space to the outdoors and have become a popular focus of second-home redecorating.

"Patio furniture trends have shifted away from traditional iron patio furniture to contemporary plastic wicker furnishings. This style is very popular. For a more 'designer look,' many of my clients purchase their outdoor furniture and have custom pillows made to match their decor.

The outdoor kitchen is another popular feature. "In addition to your standard grill, it's also very popular to have an ice maker, refrigerator and smoker as fixtures in your outdoor kitchen. We also see many homeowners choosing wood-burning pizza ovens. Another popular feature is a built-in fireplace or fire pit.

Ultimately, the best decorating decisions you can make for your second house are ones that make you happy and give that property a cozy feeling of home.

What’s Hot in Outdoor Furniture

Kim Cook at The Reporter describes what's hot in outdoor furniture "Outdoor living spaces have come a long way from the days when “outdoor furnishings” meant a few inexpensive folding chairs around a flimsy plastic table. 
[...]
"...manufacturers are offering new furniture, textiles and materials that resemble indoor furnishings yet can withstand the elements.
What will we see in 2015?

• Vintage modern and ultra-modern - Watch for midcentury modern styling in outdoor pieces to coordinate with this popular interior style. Luxe looks evoking old Hollywood are also in.
• Global Style - Asian, Moroccan, Mediterranean motifs, and Silk Road accents
• Flexible use - a trend toward “chat and chill” configurations of furniture used both indoors and outdoors or comfy seating for both areas; portable fire pits.
• Color is in - Deep indigo looks fresh and new, and so does coral and dark blue. The natural neutrals — sand, mocha, charcoal, cream — stay strong for 2015. Their versatility makes them good choices whatever the climate.

Brown Jordan’s Marin lounge chair in flame suede with leather pillow, designed by Michael Berman, is an example of an outdoor furniture piece that could easily work indoors. The blurring of lines between indoor and outdoor furnishings continues to be a strong trend for spring/summer 2015. Courtesy Brown Jordan, Roger Davies

• Patterns - all kinds of bright patterns
• Rustic Contemporary -  like chicken-wire doors and weathered-look metals with contemporary seat materials and colors.

Update: Top Reveal just published a comprehensive article, called 20 DIY Outdoor Furniture Ideas that are Pure Genius which can give your readers some valuable insights.

You can check it out here: http://topreveal.com/diy-outdoor-furniture-ideas

Creating an Alfresco Living Space for Your Family

www.1stimpressionsohio.com

People usually try to leave town and enjoy the great outdoors during the summer season. It is always nice to spend time amidst nature’s harmonious surroundings, and by designating a portion of your backyard into an outdoor living space, you can have the same pleasure. The good news is, designing an alfresco space for your family and for yourself does not have to be a complicated undertaking. If you want to enjoy fresh air and the freedom that the outdoors bring without leaving home or spending a fortune, consider these simple tips.
Identify an area that you can transform into your outdoor living space.
There are certain things you need to keep in mind when you choose the location of your new outdoor living space. First of all, you need to think about how you want to use the space; this will determine the size and to a certain extent, the materials of your little (or not-so-little) hideaway. Next you need to take note of how accessible this new space will be. If you intend to do a lot of eating and entertaining, then it would be wise to make sure the kitchen is within a convenient distance. Lastly, think about how private you want to the place to be. Once all these things are settled, you will have a clearer idea about how you will set up your new outdoor living space.
Create borders to set your alfresco space apart.
Without borders to define it, the area you want to designate for socializing can appear impersonal and uninviting. Worse, people may keep walking through it and past it without stopping to enjoy the special place you intended to create. With the careful placement of a few bushes or a trellis, you can keep this area protected from prying eyes and create a cozy haven away from the busy world. Some of the plants that can provide you with a dense, bushy shield are Arbovitae, evergreens, or flowering shrubs such as the Bluebeard. Visit your local nursery and check which specimens will work best for you.


Decide on the structure of your outdoor refuge.
Once you know how you will use your outdoor refuge, you can make your building plans. Your desire to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year can be addressed by a patio, a porch, a deck, or just a wide area paved with flagstones. Your structure will also be determined by your budget, the amount of work you are willing to undertake, and how long you intend the structure to last.
Decide on a theme. Patios, decks, and porches can accommodate a wide range of themes.
As long as your garden haven does not become a discordant note in relation to your house and grounds, you have considerable latitude in choosing the decor you will use for your alfresco area. For example, for a rustic, shabby chic area where everyone can relax, all you need is some crockery, some barn red paint, a table and chairs made in distressed wood finish, and a sliding door with barn door hardware.
Think about temperature control.
If you want maximum use of your patio (or deck or porch), make provisions for fans in summer and heaters when the cold weather comes. Fans don’t have to be permanent structures; there are plenty of portable fans you can use to make warm days more comfortable. There are also portable patio and deck heaters fueled by gas so that even when the nights become cold, you can spend time outdoors in comfort. You might want to install a flagstone fire pit or a fireplace that you can gather around. The idea is to provide warmth so that even when it’s cold, people can still congregate in the outdoor living space you have created.


Include a Roof.
A roof will allow you to use your outdoor area for longer periods during the day, and there are many ways that you can put up a roof or its equivalent. You can put in a permanent roof, or you can install a retractable awning, set up a parasol or two, or grow a vine such as bougainvillea to provide shelter. You can even make it possible to enclose the area with mosquito netting to prevent pesky insects from ruining your outdoor fun.



Your private living space can function as an extra living room, a spare dining area, or a place for entertaining. Best of all, this space can allow you to start your days serenely with a steaming cup of coffee and the birds for company.



You Will Be Seeing More Of Woodard

Sheffield

Founded in 1866 and now the oldest wrought iron company operating in the US, the master craftsmen at Woodard have constantly expanded and improved upon their high-quality furniture. Woodard takes pride in designing and producing the best in casual outdoor furniture using only the finest materials. From classic and stylish hand-crafted wrought iron pieces to beautiful furniture from cast aluminum, tubular aluminum and all-seasons wicker, every Woodard piece is created using the fine craftsmanship the company was founded on.

Woodard has hired a PR firm, The Media Matters. They will develop and implement a comprehensive public relations and communications strategy that bolsters Coppell, Texas-based Woodard’s short-and long-term marketing initiatives.

Fall Is The Time To Store Outdoor Furniture

The staff at Homes & Gardens a publication of the Oregonian has a how to Prep your outdoor spaces and garden furniture for winter. Tips cover vinyl strap furniture, metal frame furniture, wooden furniture, painted wooden furniture, solid metal garden furniture, wrought iron furniture, and umbrella (or fabric seats).

Rattan Is Not Just For Indoors

Monday is the first day of spring and our thoughts turn to living outside as soon as the sun warms us. Spring is also the time when we go out on our deck and assess the winter rain and snow damage. For many of us after we refinish the deck and replant the planters with colorful flowers, we realize that the outdoor furniture is looking a little shabby. Rather than take that high-gas price road trip, we decide to shop for new deck furniture. The home décor magazines stimulate us with pictures of rattan garden furniture in light and dark shades.

A little research reveals that rattan and wicker are used, interchangeably. People may say they have  rattan furniture or a wicker chair. They shouldn’t be confused. Rattan is a relative of the tropical palm tree that grows along the ground. The vines can be as long as 500 feet long. There is no material on Earth called wicker. Wicker is the result of weaving rattan or some other fiber to form furniture.

Rattan is considered to be one of the strongest woods available, since its grain grows vertically instead of forming the concentric rings of most other hardwoods. Rattan vines may also be peeled mechanically to form thin slats for weaving. The straight rattan is usually steamed and then bent into the desired shape through the use of specialized shapers. Once the rattan has dried, it will retain its shape forever.

Rattan is ideal for outdoor use, because it is lightweight and easy to clean. Just wipe it down with a cloth dipped in warm-soapy water. However, synthetic rattan should be considered, if the furniture will be out in the rain. Rain will ruin natural rattan.

One of the new innovations is the rattan cube set. The Cube Four set is a modern four-seater dining set that packs away in to a neat cube form. The Seville Sofa set pictured here includes a rattan sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table.

Suffering In The Heat

You know that when summer arrives here in the northwest on October 30th, we will need some relief from the searing heat. I'm thinking of adding a home misting system like I've seen in Las Vegas outside near the bus shuttles. Read this:

To escape the oppressive heat during the summer days, an outdoor misting system, based on evaporation of water, can bring the temperature down and provide cool comfort to open spaces. The misting system converts hot air into cold air and brings relief from a scorching summer.

I got a request to add Cool-Off to our blogroll. I don't want to do that, but I will write about their products, misting systems, shade sails, outdoor cooling system, shade structures, home, garden and sun shades with a little humor.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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Time For Outdoor Living

That big, bright ball of light hanging in the sky, today, is the sun. With the cloudy and cool weather we've had lately, many of us have forgotten what it looks like. When the sun comes out we start thinking of using the outside again and that means outdoor furniture.

Two interesting articles online on Friday: Jean Patteson described how More color, better value are the trends this year in outdoor furniture and Melissa Rayworth wrote that Now's the time to do more with exterior spaces.



Patteson quotes Jackie Hirschhaut, spokeswoman for the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) in High Point, N.C. who says that makers of outdoor furniture are countering the gloomy economic scene with more color. Here's a hint of what you'll read:

...collections for spring and summer focus on "dazzling color to brighten our moods, plush comfort to ease our tension and increased value to minimize the impact on our wallets."

Cheerful reds and yellows are key colors for 2010, along with calming shades of leaf green and watery blue.

Rayworth helps us with the smaller spaces, the small balcony off the bedroom or the terrace that's part of the new condo. She believes those small spaces can be intimidating and offers some

...great design strategies for turning even the most unexceptional deck or patio into an inviting space for outdoor entertaining this summer.

Her design suggestions cover the gamut from flooring, color, wall decor, lighting and greenery.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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Outdoor Living

"The Oregon Women's Report" carries Outdoor Living Spaces On A Budget by Erika Weisensee in which the author lays out some affordable ways to make your outdoor space more livable. I especially liked this tip:

• Have a focal point for your outdoor living space. Larger focal points might include a fire pit, or colorful shade umbrella, while smaller (and less expensive) ones might be a pot of showy flowers or a cool lantern.

While we're on the subject of outdoor furniture, I came across Andreu World which is introducing a very nice outdoor furniture collection.


Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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What Is Pyrolave?

We had an interior designer come in yesterday looking for contemporary outdoor furniture. We carry many styles, but not quite what the designer was looking for. Today I was reading Decorati Access Interior Design Magazine and I came across guest blogger Susan Serra and her post about Pyrolave countertops with the following picture:



"What is Pyrolave?" I asked.

A little research and I found it was a process developed by a French company of the same name. Extracted from the Nugere crater at the heart of Auvergne's volcanoes, Volvic lava, this consistent and dense stone has exceptional qualities created by time. The extremely resistant blocks are extracted by hand from open-air quarry. They are then cut into slabs, processed and glazed. The expertise of the Pyrolave engineers allow them to select enamels not just for their beauty but for their resistance and resilience after being fired at more than 1000°C. Delicate crazing appears on the surface during cooling. Being more or less prominent – subject to the colour, these fine lines are the inimitable signature of the glazed lava stone.

This leads me to my next discovery. Pyrolave makes indoor/outdoor furniture and here are some examples of their work:







Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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Outdoor Kitchen World Design Center

I've written about "The Resort Effect" how the public wants to experience the vacation resort at home, so they build a kitchen outdoors with sofas and electronics. Essentially, they create a whole new room outside with all the amenities. I've also written about staycations where a family takes their vacation at home instead of going to that resort. That means you need to feel like you are on vacation with the proper outdoor amenities.

Now the Portland area has a new business that just caters to those people called the Outdoor Kitchen World Design Center. Their remodeled building is located 10800 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road in Tualatin, Oregon 97062. They have been open since March.

I talked with Aaron and the Design Center is open to the public and the designer trade They plan on offering seminars and they have something called Outdoor IDEA System™ where you can literally create a life-size model of an outdoor kitchen and patio.

In an email newsletter I just received there's an interview with Lisa Metcalfe Murphy of Anon Interiors ( 503.709.107). Lisa has worked nine years with architects Barrentine, Bates and Lee. She answers a number of questions about outdoor kitchens.

There are good reasons to hire an expert if you are thinking of having more that a BBQ, but an outdoor kitchen:

A good outdoor kitchen designer will offer expertise on functional kitchen design, appliance selection, and suitable outdoor lighting and finish materials. They will listen to your needs and offer creative solutions resulting in an outdoor space that compliments your lifestyle. A designer will also offer invaluable knowledge regarding local code and safety requirements. For instance, an experienced designer will know to confirm that all fixtures meet UL safety standards, and that most outdoor outlet receptacles need to be specified as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) to protect against electric shock and fires.

The trend to outdoor kitchens is a big one and seems to have reached critical mass in the Portland area.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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Deckchairs Online

You know how it goes. The weather turns warm and you want to wear shorts and a cute top. You go to your local clothing store and the sizes are all picked over. They have your size but not the style or color that you need.

Outdoor furniture may have it a little better. You don't have much need for a outdoor table and chairs until BBQ season rolls around or its party time for family and friends on the deck. In many cases stores carry what you want until late summer. Then they put it away and bring out the Christmas decorations.

There's one company, for my friends in the UK, that specializes in deck chairs all year long. I liked the company so much...no I didn't buy it, but decided to become an affiliate of Deckchairs Online. They sell traditional deckchairs, non-traditional deck chairs and modern deckchairs. All wooden deckchairs from the UK site are made from solid hardwood and high quality cotton so are extremely strong and very comfortable. In addition, the wooden deckchairs are made from hardwood from managed forests so are extremely environmentally friendly.

The deckchairs they sell are great for use at events and have been regularly used at The Glastonbury Festival, Stonehenge 2009 and recently the BBC used their deckchairs at the Strawberry Fair in Cambridge.

The newest hot product for Deckchairs Online is the Wideboy. These extra wide deck chairs are a perfect size for two people to sit on comfortably side by side or just for people who like to have extra space next to them for a few books or magazines so they are within easy reach.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design gallery
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Duralee Introduces Two Fabric Collections

In July, 2008 we posted that we've added a whole section of Duralee Fabrics so you can see these fine designer fabrics and we added Duralee Fabric memo samples. We also said that we featured the amazingly beautiful fabrics from the Philip Gorrivan Collection of Highland Court.

Since then Duralee has introduced the Courtyard Faux Raffia collection.

The Courtyard Faux Raffia collection features 40 selections that have been specially engineered to endure the outdoors with the luxury and sophistication expected from a Highland Court® design.

Rich neutrals such as Teak, Ebony, Charcoal, Jute and Beige mingle with Pool, Leaf, Papaya and Melon to create a collection that is perfect for wood, metal or resin outdoor frames, yet are also fitting for headboards, ottomans and lounge chairs.

Wonderfully distinctive textures with simple care and cleaning, the fabrics of the Courtyard Faux Raffia collection were designed to enhance any space, outside or in.

Now Duralee Fine Fabrics has introduced The Marakesh Collection.

The globally inspired Marakesh Collection celebrates color and innovative styling to evoke optimism, joy and imagination. Neither masculine nor feminine, the low-tech hand weaving techniques, unrefined florals and simple tile designs reflect the simplicity of the every day artisan while maintaining the luxurious qualities of a Highland Court® fabric.

You can see the two collections at Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery. Watch for the announcement of Duralee Fabric Show in April led By Scott McKay.

Bev & Mike
@landfairfurnitu

The Amazing WAVE

What is there about a hammock?

In relaxation exercises you are told to think of a favorite place where it's sunny and warm. Where the ocean waves can be heard. Picture yourself lying in a hammock, gently rocking in the breeze. You are not asleep, but you are completely relaxed.

That whole feeling came over me, when I saw this picture of The WAVE Hammock by Erik Nyberg and Gustav Ström:


Click on image to enlarge

The designers created The WAVE for Belgian outdoor furniture manufacturer Royal Botania. It even has what looks like our dog Ralph in the picture.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
@landfairfurnitu

Green Outdoor Living

Here's an innovative design from DesignConsul. The manufacturer Oasis Island says

One of the most noteworthy features of contemporary furniture design during the past year has been an effort to make use of natural material or, at least, to utilize processes that are environment-friendly. Oasis collection is taking this approach. Not only do we consciously use natural materials, we strive to incorporate living materials that help to ‘Grow’ our design

I like the concept and it's look is cool and refreshing, but Mike would freak if the living chair had spiders. He gets yippy-skippy if a little branch from the bamboo touches his cheek while he's sitting on the patio.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
@landfairfurnitu

Indoor/outdoor Furniture In New Material

In February of 200, when we were preparing our new location in the Pearl in Portland, I wrote

There can be disagreement about global warming and its causes, but there is no denying the Green Movement. Our bookkeeper, Helen Pilgrim, sends us a note about Slatescape, EcoCem and Paper Stone (for) Counter tops. She says she first heard about it in the Oregonian Home & Gardens section. "I don't know how this compares to granite, but it looks great."

We fell in love with PaperStone and used the chocolate color as the reception and work counter top in the showroom front area. It's warm and satiny smooth to the touch. When we first saw the material, it was only available in slabs of several thicknesses.

Now, thanks to Material Process Systems, there is indoor/outdoor furniture available in material similar to paperstone with the same outstanding features. Take a look:



The company writes

The material is waterproof so it does very well outside. Over time, it acquires a natural patina, but the integrity of the material is never compromised. Variations of this material have actually been used for decades in the marine industry and in the manufacturing of skate ramps -- that's how durable it is.

If you have questions write:

Niina Pollari
Material Process Systems, Inc.
niina@materialprocess.com

Bev & Mike
Landfair Futniture + Design Gallery

Visit Ken Hoyt

Here's local Portland authority, Ken Hoyt, with some appropriate actions you can take now for your drains that will save you an expensive call to Roto Rooter.

And when you visit Ken Hoyt's site check out his formulas for cleaning outdoor furniture and pads before winter storage.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Fresh Dirt On Jennifer Leonard!

Our friend Jennifer Leonard of Nifelle Design is singled out for special attention at Sunset Magazine's Fresh Dirt section By Jim McCausland.

Visiting Jennifer and Justin Leonard’s garden in Portland yesterday, it occurred to me that this renovated garden is so inviting partly because it offers so many delightful places to sit.

Here Jennifer is pictured with her dog:



Jennifer is an interior designer, who it, appears, doubles as an exterior designer. She can be reached at:

Jennifer Leonard
Nifelle Design
The Portland Division of Wall Street Interiors
503.730.7117

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Curb Side Furniture

Have you ever driven around the city and seen furniture sitting on the parking or next to the street with a sign that says, "FREE". My husband does all the time from his big yellow bus. So many times it rains, then the furniture is of no use to anybody.

We recently donated a sleeper sofa to Oregon Community Warehouse. It was still in good shape, but we wanted a change in the den and with our remodel of the lower level, just didn't see the need for the sofa in the den.

We were interested to learn that the Community Warehouse has a need for lots of furniture and it's a shame to see it sit outside in the rain when there are so many in need.

I called Sharon and found out they don't need more sofas. They need beds and dresser drawers, and tables and chairs. They may drive by with one of their trucks and pick up your used items if you call. They may even take your sofa if you have additional furniture items items.

Won't you pick up the phone and call Sharon at 503-235-8786 or the other volunteers about your gently used items before putting it on the curb.

Their web site says

Clients include women escaping domestic violence, individuals and families who have been homeless, elderly persons on limited incomes, people with mental and physical disabilities, refugee families from all over the world, youth and adults recovering from substance abuse, and the working poor.

Community Warehouse
2267 N. Interstate Ave.
Portland, OR 97227

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

The Landfair Retail Focus Is About Rising Costs Of Furniture

Over at The Landfair Retail Focus, Mike has posted about the Rising Cost Of Metal In Furniture and its implications for future furniture.