REMINDER | NEW Premium International Outdoor Furniture FAIR | Garden Unique, Cologne Sept. 4-6, 2011

In September 2011 a new premium international furniture fair will premiere in Cologne (Germany). The event will kick off with most of the major premium brands exhibiting in this innovative concept. The ‘guest’ list includes Emu, Fermob, Gloster, Cane Line as well as some more niche creative leaders to be revealed shortly. The fair, clearly understanding and positioning outdoor design as something closer to fashion and interior design than garden life, will offer... Read More

EXPORMIM | ICFF 2011 launch | ULAH | Innovative ‘Flexi pouf’

Spanish brand Expormim introduced ULAH at the last edition of ICFF in New York. The Ulah was created by Mut Design.  The woven seat is designed for outdoor and indoor use. Price: 880 euros / USD to be confirmed / GBP to be confirmed. For your currency: convert via xe.com. The “seesaw Ulah”  combines rustic elements -such as the polyester nautical rope – updated with more modern materials -such as steel. In the designer’s words: ‘This harmony between handicraft... Read More

Trends 2011 | Pattern is back | How will outdoor / garden designers play the trend?

Those attending the Milan Furniture Fair 2010 & 2011 will have seen the massive return of strong colors combined with decorated wall papers, with geometrical or floral motifs. These motifs also apply to cabinets and surfaces. Far from being limited to the lounge area, this trend is taking over kitchens and will most certainly impact outdoor spaces. Here an example designed by international design duo Ludovica + Roberto PALOMBA for ELMAR. It offers an updated interpretation... Read More

Phillips Collection | Farm Animals | Available in various sizes.

Present at ICFF, Phillips Collection introduced their outdoor ranges which include a collection of Animals: goats, sheep and cows made in cast resin, suitable for indoor or outdoor use. In the brand’s words: ‘These whimsical white sheep require no care or feeding, and can be pastured in your living room.  Made from cast resin, they are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Available in a full flock of sizes. Life-sized Cow sculptures are hand-painted cast resin, suitable... Read More

ICFF | Award best outdoor design 2011 | Herman Miller Retail’s Eames Aluminum Group

Created  53  years ago, the Eames Aluminum Group in its new version, with fabrics and finishes ready for the outdoors, landed the 2011 ICFF Editors Awards in the Outdoor Furniture category.  In the brand’s words: ‘What was interesting this year is we were actually going back to an original design with the re-issued Eames Aluminum Group chairs – of course, with some significant updates (technology lets us do cool things with mesh). The iconic chairs actually originated... Read More

This is collaboration | Outdoor bench

The L5 Series is one of Marie Khouri’s signature pieces. Modeled on the lower vertebras of the human spine, this versatile sculptural bench is made of five independent yet corresponding units. Usually available through art galleries in laminated wood or bronze, the L5 is now offered in light-weight concrete (GFRC), exclusively through Collaboration. MORE: About the studio: ‘ The essence of Collaboration may be found in its very name. For Collaboration, French sculptor... Read More

This is collaboration | Garden planters & outdoor bench in custom colors

‘This is collaboration’ present the very sculptural planters they designed as well as  benches. All for outdoor use in either  light-weight concrete or fiberglass, in a number of custom colors. Each unit shows the actual traces of hand-casting. They are offered in six variations of scale and proportions. About the studio: ‘ The essence of Collaboration may be found in its very name. For Collaboration, French sculptor Marie Khouri brings some of the exclusivity... Read More

Vondom | New ultra contemporary outdoor designs at IMM + Maison et Objet

The Spanish brand Vondom will be introducing more novelties at two international trade fairs: IMM in Cologne 18 -23 January. Maison et Objet on the 21 -25 January. The brand is a specialist of high quality rotational molding. Working with a portfolio of  leading international designers, they have over the past few years opened up the ultra contemporary segment. An example being the Rest Collection by A-CERO seen here. Very well represented in ‘Boutique hotels’,... Read More

FAIRS | Jardins, Jardin aux Tuileries | Challenges The Chelsea Flower Show & Maison et Objet Outdoor

The Paris based show, Jardins, Jardin is entering its 8 th year and is revamping both its name and ambitions. First, the name of the show is changing to Jardins, Jardin aux Tuileries to highlight its presence in the very heart of Paris, just by the Louvre. Secondly, this year’s fair will be far more focused on outdoor design/furniture and organizers are eagerly recruiting more players for the DESIGN VILLAGE. The designs will be exposed and sold which can attract a large... Read More