Spring not
only brings in colour through nature but also in outdoor furniture.
People love spending time outdoors and the best thing about having comfy and stylish patio furniture is that
you’ll never want to go inside. Whether sprawled across a lounger reading a book, sinking into a deep wicker
chair finishing Friday’s crossword or diving into a juicy hamburger under the patio umbrella — there’s no
better way to spend your time or your comfort.
Back in the day there were plastic lawn chairs, loungers and table sets. This is what you would typically see
when it came to outdoor furniture sets. Outdoor furnishings have made some extreme changes over the years and
this 2010 season will not stop short.
Bright colours are going to be huge — expect to see hot pinks, reds, blues and yellows. No matter what style
of patio furniture you have, adding vibrant colours will make a big splash and a bold statement. Here’s how
you can choose a bright accent piece for the maximum effect, across two stylish types of patio furniture that
will be seen in backyards in 2010.
The New Modern
If you like to coordinate your interior with your exterior and you have a modern-style home, there
is patio furniture to compliment that taste. Wicker is still huge for patio furniture, especially in the
darker shades like espresso and ebony. The dark wicker with white or beige sofa cushions has an extremely
modern look. The Capri Round Lounger from Pottery Barn has durable, all-weather espresso-coloured fibers and
a resilient white cushion. It’s elegant, clean and chic — not to mention comfy.
To add colour to this look, liven the lounge chair with Pier 1 Imports’ bright floral pillows. It’s not only
about having flowers in your garden, but incorporating their lively beauty in your décor, which is a big
trend in both interior and exterior decorating this year. The Bright Floral Chainstitch and the Ric Rac
Floral Button Pillow have so many colours going on within their floral stitching and embroidery.
You can also add a punch of colour with Pottery Barn’s Square Umbrella in Stripes, which is a colourful
weather-repellent umbrella. By coordinating the colour scheme of the pillows and the umbrella pattern with
the white cushions of the sofas, lounge chairs or dining seating, you will have embraced this 2010 modern
look with a twist.
The Vintage Outdoor
People are looking for comfort items to help them reconnect with the past and vintage pieces are a
way to do that. Fortunately for us, the upcoming patio furniture has that vintage feel and is going to be
spring and summer’s biggest trend.
Rustic furniture like the Bali Rustic Teak Sectional from Pottery Barn is one way to achieve this look. Teak
is a natural choice because of its beauty, strength and traditional appeal. This five-piece sectional is
finished by hand with a deep espresso stain, which enhances the vintage look. To accompany the sectional is
the Frog Rain-Drum Accent Table, which is a gorgeous cast-aluminum with traditional embellishments and
details around the sides and top.
Wicker is still a big part of this style and Pier 1 Imports shows us why with the Cunard Armchair. It has a
timely look because of the light brown wicker and wooden legs, and is a fabulous seat to nestle into to read
the Sunday paper.
One idea to accessorize this patio furniture is with Pier 1’s vintage birdhouses. Whenever there are
birdhouses, childhood memories flood back in — which is why these are wonderful to accent the vintage style.
The rustic birdhouses with engraved details integrate this theme perfectly and also add those touches of
colour that are going to be seen in homes this season.
Finally, mosaics like Pier 1’s hand-painted and fire-glazed square mosaic table absolutely bring you back in
time. This aqua blue with floral details brings colour and also a vintage style that will be all the rage for
2010. •
