DESIGNS FOR OUTDOOR LIVING
by The Showrooms of Michigan Design Center

The countdown to summer is officially over and there’s no better time to begin thinking about how
you can best expand your living and entertaining space by making use of the great outdoors. Over
the last few years, more and more people have begun thinking of their outdoor spaces as actual
extensions of their homes and furnishing them accordingly. As a result, outdoor furniture has
become more tasteful, more beautiful and more functional than ever.

FURNITURE
Some of the most recent trends in outdoor furniture are hand wrought and pierced aluminum, distressed teak, synthetic wicker, marble and stone. If you are interested in a “green” solution to your outdoor furniture, Ipe is a FSC-certified wood that resists, rot, decay, insects and mold without the use of toxic chemicals. Ultimately though, when choosing outdoor furniture, comfort is the keyword that most of us look for. Many manufacturers are stepping up to the plate by offering furniture that functions for the outside but looks as if it could sit in your living room.

To make the most of your purchase, be sure to look for quality cushions with inserts made of “quick dry” material and for seams that are Teflon coated with small weep holes located near the zipper, such as Motif Design’s collection by Sunbrella. You can maximize the lifespan of outdoor fabrics by keeping cushions, pillows and fabrics out of a direct downpour, draining water from the cushions when possible, allowing for the removal of moisture and keeping the cushions as dirt-free as possible to limit the opportunity for mold and mildew.

PHOTOS AT RIGHT
TOP: Motif Design’s Baja Collection sofa, available at Rozmallin, Suite 60
BOTTOM: Gloster’s Eclipse Relaxer set, available at Henredon Interior Design Showroom, Suite 122

FABRIC
All-weather fabrics are becoming as exciting and sophisticated as interior ones and these new
high-performance materials repel stains and resist fading like never before. Thanks to new finishing
techniques, today’s outdoor fabrics now have the look and feel of traditional upholstery.

Schumacher’s Trina Turk Sunglass Print in Citron, available at F. Schumacher & Co., Suite 110		Schumacher’s Trina Turk Pisces Print in Punch, available at F. Schumacher & Co., Suite 110		Schumacher’s Plein Air II Tortola in Marine, available at F. Schumacher & Co., Suite 110		Fabricut’s Bella-Dura™, available at the Marie-Howard Showroom, Suite 119

ACCESSORIES
Outdoor accessories are moving upscale along with furniture. Whether it’s a portable bar and serving cart brought out for parties or an outdoor fireplace for sunset drinks, the details definitely make the difference in outdoor designs.

Michigan Design Center showrooms offer an amazing array of products that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor functionality and will provide you with an outdoor living space that you can call home. Talk to your interior designer or, for assistance in finding a designer, please call us at 1.877.393.0330.

PHOTO AT RIGHT
Gloster’s Teak Ice Box, available at Henredon Interior Design Showroom, Suite 122