Trendy Tuesday

While there may be a few more snowflakes and blustery winter days before launching garden-first into spring, let's take a peek into one of the hottest 2014 trends - outdoor furniture.  Gone are the days of rickety wooden park benches. The design of current outdoor furniture is far from boring. Let’s use a few buzz words that might fit - contemporary, chic, comfortable, a place to chill or stretch. Just take a peek at this article posted in the ‘The Dirt,’ titled ‘The Humble Public Bench becomes Comfortable, Inclusive and Healthy.’  Check out what’s coming to a park near you. 

But let’s switch from parks to your own backyard getaway. One of the many things often overlooked when designing an outdoor living space is exactly how one plans to entertain. When you plan on entertaining outdoors, it requires similar accommodations and features you would when designing an indoor space.

Let’s talk lighting, outdoor kitchen elements, seating for large crowds, the intimate spaces, including heat for chilly evenings. The trick is when it’s empty, without the flow of people moving about the space, the outdoor area should still exude elegance and simplicity. You don’t want cluttered and disorganized. Remember, it’s just like an indoor living space. 

Switching back to furniture styles, there’s a huge difference between seating used for dining versus lingering, relaxing, or reading a book. It’s one of the reasons we love implementing sitting walls to incorporate with your outdoor furniture choices. This expands the capacity of the space without cluttering the view.

As always when it comes to the latest trends, you may include an eclectic piece or two. Some may stay with a style that’s been around for ages. Others may delve into the organic, natural look or incorporate a bit of each without making it look disjointed or disconnected.

Andrew James Pritchard says this about artists but the same rings true for all of us that want to delve into the creative. “Artists shouldn't wait until they are told what their art should be; they shouldn't follow trends or allow other people to influence their work. An artist should only create from the strongest emotions within their heart.” 

What's in your heart to create this spring?

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