Trends in outdoor living and decor by Dave Nemeth


With warm sunny days approaching we will be spending a lot more time outdoors both relaxing and entertaining.  We have seen major trend developments over recent years, to these outdoor spaces and patios. We explore these trends and look at the fine integration between the outdoor living areas and the interior spaces which we spend many hours rejuvenating in, with our busy lifestyles being far more pressurised than previous years. Some overiding trends that are affecting everything from electronics, to decor as well as business in general are; the recession which is currently rearing another ugly side as well as the awareness of our environment, which has seen dramatic change take place over the last couple of decades. More time is spent at home with everyone tightening their budgets and more attention being paid to design elements and comforts in our outdoor spaces which were in the past, very much of an afterthought.


 


We see this new awareness as an extension and integration of living areas, rather than a separation of interior and exterior space. Due to this new thinking a lot of developments have taken place in recent years in both outdoor furniture as well as outdoor decor. The developments of new materials that can withstand the elements have also contributed to a greater flexibility, which is such an important factor the longevity of these products.  Whether one has covered patio or an open outdoor space the possibilities are endless.


On recent travels I saw a series of luxurious fully upholstered sofas, exactly as you would use in an interior for use outdoors which completely resists the elements. The fabrics are light fast and the specially designed foam repels all moisture. Although specialised items such as this are not yet available on our shores and will be exceptionally expensive, it is a great example of the search for this ultimate outdoor luxury.



Colour is key this summer with bold colours set to dominate the outdoor environment to lift spirits and enhance our wonderful summer climate. A host of specially designed fabrics for outdoor use are already available at reasonable prices here in S.A. which allow for colourful cushions and even outdoor ottomans. Shades of blues will remain popular through 2012 as will reds, oranges and a variety of shades of mustard. These specially designed fabrics can also be used to customise your parasol (outdoor umbrellas) so that they co-ordinate with your cushions and scatters. Stripes are also still a firm favourite as far as pattern is concerned, bothnarrow pinn stripes as well as bolder wider stripes.


Furniture too is seeing a complete reinvention; wood will always be a popular choice; however one has to be very selective as to what can be used in order to have longevity, especially if placed in non-covered areas. Teak is by far the best choice and is generally grown in sustainable forests, but also the most expensive. Solid teak can withstand all these elements and with the right care builds character from season to season. Due to price constraints of having solid teak products, we are seeing some great design development happening in injectection moulded polyprop (plastic) furniture taking place. We are all accustomed to the imitation cane weave that we see every season, but we are starting to see theseitems in a variety of new contemporary designs and colours. Mettallics are becoming increasingly popular, with shades of copper and bronze dominating the international trend shows. Solid polyprop furniture in transluscent colour is also being used with specially designed lighting within these items whichmake these elements as decorative at night as they are during the day. 


Cane being a natural product with its hand-woven aesthetic will remain a firm favorite for covered patios; here too we are seeing exciting new design developments taking place with a variety of new shapes and contemporary shapes taking form. Cane is no longer just available in a limited colour pallette, with a host of differented tones, textures and sizes being used.



Lighting too is an exceptionally important factor in creating an outdoor ambience, especially subltle, coloured lighting, to enhance gardends patios and pools. Just like inallother areas of design, a lot of development has gone into both energy saving options as well as solar powered LED's which are a great eco option. 


With the exterior space being as important as the internalspaces we see decorative accessories also playing an important role. We see outdoor rugs, all weather object d' art and even, outdoor art which has been specially treated to withstand rain and sun. 




The key is to be bold and adventurous when it comes to outdoor spaces and with some clever shopping, this doesnt have to break the bank. It is however key to purchase the right items for these areas that canwithstand our hot and extreme Summers so that durabillity is maintained for many years to come. South African, manufactured products are still best and a huge variety available. Ask the correct questions when buying and ensure the products have the correct guarentees and are made from sustainable resources. Above all have fun in extending and integrating your indoor and outdoor living spaces this Sunny season.



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