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Patio

Handpainted Umbrellas for the Garden

Filed under: Decor

One of the reasons I love working from home is the fact that I can step outside and enjoy the beautiful summer weather whenever the mood strikes me, and you can bet my patio furniture sees plenty of use. To that end I would love to get one of these Handpainted Garden Umbrellas to sit under once the heat of July and August hits -- they're so artistic and beautiful in earthy tones of parchment, sage, and mahogany. And if you're into evening parties you can get them with a light up under the canopy. $1,599 - $1,999

Cheshire Chaise Lounge

Filed under: Decor


Even though here in the Midwest we just got six inches of snow, I'm already dreaming of warmer weather and sitting on the patio with my morning coffee. Patio furniture isn't often described as whimsical but I think this Cheshire Chaise Lounge from Lifeshop earns the description with its half-moon shape and cheerful orange color. Lifeshop offers an entire collection of patio furniture in this wicker-like plastic resin weave, which looks just as earthy and cozy but lasts quite a lot longer. How nice to kick back and relax in your very own moon. (Or globe, or igloo, or genie...)

Karim Rashid Disk Chair

Filed under: Decor


The cool design and home blog Apartment Therapy (AT) always has a fresh idea. I've been reading it periodically for a few years, and every time I do, I vow to completely redo my space. Anyway ... The site recently featured a summertime-appropriate post on the Disk Chair, designed by Karim Rashid and made by Ferlea to look like a "spoon folded." AT noted it would be great for poolside or patio, as it's made of fiberglass over a steel frame, but AT commenters had a good point: seems like a sweatfest waiting to happen on a hot day. I think it looks fun and comfortable, albeit maybe with a cushier seat or a towel. Available in black, yellow or white; includes a single foam and polyester cushion. Owo Italia has it for a bit more than $2,000 (European pricing).

Oluce Stones Outdoor Lamps

Filed under: Decor


Ambient lighting has more power over the atmosphere and mood of a room than almost anything else, in my opinion anyway. Designed for outdoor rooms, Oluce Stones Outdoor Lamps will definitely bring a unique ambiance to your outdoor patio and backyard. I have to agree with ShinyShiny that these look a little like something that fell from space, but the soft white glow is actually very pretty. These stones could be the perfect thing to illuminate a dark path or gently light an outdoor area without casting unattractive shadows. Available in two sizes, $316 each.

Horchow Contemporary Outdoor Furniture

Filed under: Decor


Although these chairs don't look outrageously comfortable for lounging around in on a lazy Sunday afternoon, they more than make up for it in bold artistic style. And they're not completely devoid of creature comforts, designed for a natural reclining position and treated to prevent heat retention on those sizzling summer days. As part of a three-piece set including a table, a chair, and a chaise, the Horchow Contemporary Outdoor Furniture collection will create an outdoor atmosphere all on its own with few to no other accessories needed. Made of metal and fiberglass, the pieces will develop a patina over time, giving them even more character. $1849-$3099 each piece.

Yin Yang Signature Collection Patio Furniture

Filed under: Decor


From Dedon comes the Yin Yang Signature Collection outdoor lounge set. The chairs can be positioned separately or nested together to create a classic vision of the symbol for which they are named, fitting to form a perfect circle with contrasting cushions creating the "eyes" on each side -- the arrangement of the seats encouraging communication without being too intimate. Made of a weather resistant fiber material in a balance of platinum and bronze shades, I think they bring a somewhat indoor quality to typical outdoor patio furniture. But I've said it before and I'll say it again...how comfortable are they? They look a little stiff.

Bloomframe - a window balcony

Filed under: Decor

I already have a balcony (albeit very tiny) but if I lived in a more urban area, the Bloomframe would be worth looking into. The idea is that you fold out your window in to a wee sized balcony and when you're done, return to the separation of keeping the outside out. Plenty of photos are available on the designer's site, but no price, and way too much flash coding.

Tepraco Malibu Gazebo

Filed under: Decor

People seem to love or hate gazebos; I'm usually in the latter category, finding wooden gazebos to be rather gaudy-looking. Thankfully, some designers are introducing tasteful gazebos, like this Tepraco Malibu Gazebo, available at Patiolife.com.  Made of aluminum, this gazebo is weatherproof, meaning owners don't have to disassemble the thing during the winter (the web site suggests removing the canvas covering). Additionally, the web site notes that this model of gazebo is "perhaps more at home in California and New Mexico than besides an old Victorian Queen Anne." And I have to agree with that assessment. Price: $3,295

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