As we complete final edits on our May issue and ready it for upload to the printer this afternoon, I finally have the chance to breathe and reflect on all of the wonderful things contained within it. Presenting a lovely, sunny look at local style for spring, May is packed with exciting new products, inspiring decorating ideas and just some fantastically designed spaces. I couldn’t be more delighted. And though it may be hard to believe with our forecast of snow flurries earlier this week, warmer days are finally on the way—which means we’ve picked the best pieces with which to enjoy them. So while the Outdoor Living bug has got me, I thought I’d post a few more of my favorite finds of the moment. I hope it will whet your appetite for the real deal in our May issue—and its ultimate roundup for every taste—even more. Happy spring!
Simrin's laminated fabric trays have sleek shapes and sophisticated patterns that add instant chic to an outdoor table. Stylish, easy to clean and water-repellant, this plummy botanical version is the ideal way to serve everything from stacks of white-bread sandwiches to apertifs in the late afternoon. Get it for $112 at BurkeDecor.com.
These mouth-blown glass bird feeders from Roost make delicate additions to the porch. Their sleek surfaces are designed with tiny perches that are perfect for birds but serve as slippery slopes for unwanted critters. Find them locally through Scout on East Andrews Drive, Max & Co., or inquire about them at Parish Foods & Goods, all of which are known to carry Roost products in Atlanta. These ring up at about $75 a pop. Photo via Velocity Art & Design.
One of the newest introductions from IKEA, the Ammerö collection for outdoor is a fun, streamlined take on plastic woven rattan, easily mimicking more expensive lines in the city. The collection includes chairs, a chic stool and this surprisingly cute lounge chair for just $169.
I don't know about you, but I love a spot to curl up and cocoon myself away from the chaos of the outside world, especially when the weather warms and the balmy Southern breezes are blowing. This Genie Chair—made of synthetic woven wicker in a visually pleasing shape that tucks away neatly into tight quarters—is produced by Locsin International for Neotric Home and would be the dreamiest addition to an outdoor space. This lovely lounge ships directly to your home without shipping and handling charges for $5,995 from HomeInfatuation.com.
The new Klismos Collection for Restoration Hardware Garden is a sophisticated modern take on the most classic furniture design in all of history. Each and every piece—constructed from sturdy, antique grey powder-coated aluminum—is as lovely as the next, and most include the option of 17 shades of Sunbrella outdoor cushions. The pieces are available through the catalog, online or in stores for $250 to $1230 per piece. The Klismos side chair and small round dining table, shown, retail for $325 and $825, respectively.
Straddling the line between 60s kitschy vintage and full-on contemporary, this Metal Heaven mesh outdoor set from EMU—comprising a round table, cushioned stools and stacking chairs—gives a light and airy appearance but mod appeal to an understated patio garden. Prices range from approximately $400 to $2,000 apiece, and the stools themselves are available in seven different colors! Get them on special order through Kolo Collection on the Westside, or to the trade at Logan Gardens in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.
I first learned about these Fouta towels in a temporary booth for Scents & Feel at AmericasMart in January. Made of 100 percent cotton, they're much the same as those that were once used in Turkish baths. Use a couple in your own home as towels, beach pareos, throws or even as table runners. The more you wash them, the softer and more absorbent they become. I love the honeycomb multicolor pattern in grays, but there are so many colors and variations to choose from. Get them at scentsandfeel.com for $63.50 each.
If you don't want to invest in an authentic backyard brick oven, you can still achieve a similar tasty experience with the stainless steel Artisan Fire Outdoor Pizza Oven from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. It cooks pizzas on a professional pizza stone by the power of dual adjustable burners and optional liquid propane or natural gas configurations. It heats up in 20 minutes and cooks a thin-crust pie in as little as five, and the cute little florid detail adds some femininity to a traditionally manly appliance. You can buy it for about $6,495 by ordering direct at (800) 868-1699 or sales@kalamazoogourmet.com.
SCAD students have come up with an array of inspired product designs for spring that are available for purchase at the university's campus on Peachtree Street or via the ShopScad.com Web site. We particularly love the new looks in outdoor pillows, which include the Cassie, Sarah and Savannah Toile collections. Happily, the patterns are pretty enough for indoor schemes, too. The 18-inch square pillows are made from washable canvas or cotton twill with recycled polyfill inserts, and retail for $40-$45 each.
Wow! Light a garden path or the circumference of a pool with these illuminated planters from Design Within Reach, available in a range of sizes. You can check them out on the top floor of the showroom on Peachtree Road, a space that's dedicated to accessible modern designs for outdoor. Prices range from $325 to $625 each.
I recently received an e-mail about these Up Country Outdoor Pet Futons, which are constructed from mildew-resistant inner pads and removable, washable covers made from fabrics by Joel Dewberry, Braemore and more. Since most are not made from outdoor textiles, I can't guarantee fade-resistance, but the idea is so cute and the price is so right ($50-$70), that I'd easily spring for one.
...Which leads me to my next pick: Why not have your upholsterer whip one up from the new Perennials More Amoré outdoor fabrics? Inspired by 15th-century Florentine motifs, they're refined enough for sophisticated interiors but would also make a luxurious place for your pooch to laze away the day in the sun, not to mention adorning your finest outdoor pieces! These chic fabrics are available to the trade at Grizzel & Mann in a number of elegant patterns and colorways.
These are just a few of my favorites for spring, but what are yours? Tell us what pieces you’re excited about bringing into your outdoor space in the comments section below.