The lasting popularity of soft sea and sand colors combined with the materials that recall the pleasures of beaches and boating are a natural for Florida design inspiration, and the appeal is not likely to disappear with the passage of time. However, our design professionals advise residents to embrace the simple, tasteful good looks of this fresh decor style while at the same time resisting the temptation to give in to the kitsch!
Focus on Comfort
The prospect for good times this summer — and beyond — is enhanced by emerging outdoor furniture trends that are artfully upscale and casual at the same time. There are some throwback designs: Woven hanging chairs, for example, that project a youthful, exuberant vibe reminiscent of the free-wheeling hippie era.
Among the better ideas are smaller scale lightweight bistro tables and chairs that exhibit great style but are scaled to fit condo balconies and smaller patios. Along with slimmer-profile seating with more manageable cushions, these lighter pieces are a welcome addition to the decorating scene for both full and part-time Florida residents.
We like the new shapes and sizes of both dining sets and seating groups. Rounded shapes and slim profiles appear more fluid and “human” than previously oversized, square shapes, or the elaborate wrought-iron curlicues that epitomized outdoor style for decades.
Options for Outdoor Living
Benches and daybeds are also emerging as “nap-worthy” additions to outdoor living spaces.
Finally, firepit tables, sculptural stand-alone heaters, and outdoor clay chimineas have joined the ranks of water elements, ponds, pools, and misting units as ways to extend patio living comfort to the “shoulder” seasons. All are welcome, in our view, as we gain additional benefits, from sunshine, fresh air, and the proximity of growing plants.
Rustic and Ethnic
Extraordinary designers find it easy to adapt familiar objects to a new purpose, welcome castoffs put to new use and see potential in old farm implements, tractor seats, apple crates, kerosene lanterns, and canning jars. If you’re lucky to have rustic or ethnic pieces — from flat-tire tricycles and bikes or painted goat carts to Chinese porcelain stools or decorative terra cotta planters — use your imaginative skills and a bit of DIY power to create something new for your patio. Add ethnic Peruvian textiles and woven reed mats as table coverings or stitch cushions and pillows from beach towels and Mexican blankets to brighten your outdoor scene.
The reward for your efforts will be a lot of fun with family and friends. At Woodchuck’s Fine Furniture and Decor, we can help with all your design needs, from the front hall to the backyard patio. Stop by our showroom to schedule an appointment for a personal consultation.