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New trends in outdoor furniture Susan Redman Published: September 25, 2013 - 7:10PM
Colour clash
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At recent design fairs both here and overseas, such as the recent Spoga gafa held two weeks ago in Cologne, bold hues rule. Safe colours are definitely out as explosions of colour in contrasting blocks or in geometric patterns dominate outdoor furniture designs. Adam Robinson, a sought-after Sydney landscape designer and a canny outdoor stylist says colour is the most significant trend in outdoor decoration this summer. “It seems that as the weather warms up, we have more confidence to embrace colour,” he says. “Bulky brown synthetic wicker settings with a combination of taupe cushions have well and truly slipped from being a top trend and there is certainly a move towards colour. “We are not afraid of combining colour and pattern either,” says Robinson. “And just like in fashion we are seeing colour blocking outdoors. This is evident in soft furnishings, in particular. Due to improvements in textile technology we can leave our cushions outdoors all year round, without major moulding or fading.” There are edgy tints and tones, too: “Lovely soft pastels and nature's gentle earthy tones are coming into play,” says Robinson. “Think mint green, soft pink, peach, lavender, powder blue, as well as army green and burnt orange.”
Multitalented pieces As an international landscape designer, television personality and a designer of both indoor and outdoor furniture, Jamie Durie, knows a good sunbed when he sees one. He says we'll be seeing a lot more modular furniture: “Outdoor modular lounges are a great versatile design idea that allows you to create different configurations to suit your lifestyle and the size and shape of your outdoor room. The new Fremantle modular in my Patio range at Big W is really clever. Each piece is available separately and features an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table.” Having furniture that performs more than one function is making sense indoors so why not outside? Just like Durie's Patio ottoman, there are benches and sofas that provide storage as well as comfortable seating. Other popular pieces of multifunctional furniture include fire pit tables or chairs and benches that incorporate places to grow plants within the seating design. Robinson suggests you get inventive about furniture use. “Think about how you might find a double use for some product. For example, a low stool might double up as a side table when not required for extra seating. A decorative timber screen might hide a solution for storage.”
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9/27/13
Print Article: New trends in outdoor furniture
There's a trend towards more refined silhouettes. A sleeker, lighter look is particularly enhanced in the soft curves of wire furniture or in the detailed cut-outs of powder-coated aluminium pieces. Wooden outdoor furniture is showing up in slimmer shapes, too, echoing mid-century style, no less, especially in dining settings. “This season we are seeing less bulky furniture pieces coming through,” says Robinson. “We are moving away from chunky dining chairs and seeing seamless light chairs, which are often stackable. They have a lovely sculptural quality and don't clutter up an outdoor space.” Motion furniture is also trending well. Swing seats and hammocks have always been popular, but now there are new versions, which boast very stylish, luxurious designs, such as pod chairs and swivel seats. In fact, creating one's own outdoor spot in a cocoon-like hideaway, swaying in the breeze, is becoming the ultimate chill-out zone.
Favourite things There's no reason why your outdoor space shouldn't boast furniture that's just for you. Robinson currently prefers retro: “I have always loved the butterfly chair. It's been around commercially since 1947 and is still in production. It has beautiful clean lines and is the perfect outdoor chair.” Durie says that if he could buy just one statement piece for his garden, it would be a sunbed. “It just gives you that instant sense of luxury and resort style living. It's perfect for relaxing outside on the weekends, or piling onto with friends and family when you're entertaining.” Looking to the future, Robinson says there will be a bit of a revival on old styles and materials that come into play. “I'm quite in love with cane furniture at the moment. Its old charm has a relaxed Palm Springs vibe to it,” he says. “They are very comfortable with deep cushions and the best part you can customise the fabrics to suit your space. Being cane they really need to be undercover to ensure durability. A verandah is ideal.” susan@thestyleindex.com.au
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/homestyle/new-trends-in-outdoor-furniture-20130925-2ucwa.html
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