T.H.E. Blog

Sitting outside and enjoying the weather is rejuvenating. It’s a great time to trade urban grays for sunny days, to watch the new growth of plants and animal life, to be amazed at all the new little lives learning how to use their wings and take flight. My head fills with pulling together outdoor spaces and making them more inviting, adding touches that refresh. And how do I enhance my outdoor living space? I start with the perfect outdoor furniture.

Here are 4 design tips for the perfect outdoor furniture:

Tip 1: Quality pays off
Select outdoor furniture that’s made with quality. Most of the manufacturers we sell have some craftsmen and trade secrets that you’ll want to take note of. Quality also matters because we’re filling our landfills daily with quick items that only last for a season. There are important steps in the manufacturing process to make outdoor living pieces that stand the test of time.

Tip 2: A lasting finish
Metal frames should be pre-finished with a nanoceramic ceramic pre-wash to increase paint adhesion. Each casting is hand polished to provide a smooth, finished surface for painting. After a multi-step cleaning process, the furniture receives a baked-on powder paint coat, much thicker and harder than conventional wet paint, followed by a hand applied antique finish. 

Tip 3: Durability in design
When you design your outdoor living space, look for cast aluminum with a superior grade molten aluminum hand-poured into molds made from exceptionally detailed woodcarvings; wrought aluminum features with heavy tubing, strengthened at stress points with interior wall supports and galvanized steel inserts, triple polished 360-degree welds and high-solids polyester, powder-coated finish.

Tip 4: Materials matter
Maximize your outdoor living space by choosing pieces that last. Stainless steel can offer both strength and corrosion-resistance for a long life if it has a high-grade content of chromium and nickel. Stainless steel with 360-degree welds that are hand polished offer maximum durability and a finished look.

The right fabrics boost outdoor performance when made with the finest materials and technology for longevity outdoors. Choose UV-resistant resin, vinyl and polyethylene wicker that is memory tested to 50,000 compressions and is hand-woven over the frames—natural teak that’s plantation-harvested with frames with mortise and tenon construction. 

When designing your outdoor space remember less is often better, and that quality over quantity lends a simpler look and feel. And don’t forget the accessories to add pops of character. The industry has stepped it up with outdoor rugs, trays and succulents that weather anything the weather has to offer—in every season.  

Sweetly yours,

Jeanette

Cover Photo by Arcwind

What's Your Project?

This is the question I try to answer on a daily basis with clients. When I come home and am seeking aesthetic improvement in my own personal space, I must answer that question and it is absolutely daunting!

Many times I listen to ramblings of all that needs to be accomplished, accompanied by several tangents. The ranting continues as I wander aimlessly, following them throughout the house, viewing areas of dissatisfaction. Many times there is a blame game, and refereeing skills are needed to break up spousal disagreements.

Photo by Creatv Eight 

The value of using a journal is important in so many areas, and this is another plus to bring clarity to your goals. Projects are goals for your home! I am competitive and always like to turn anything into a sporting match. Make a list of things that you would like to see changed. Many times, the reason we do not make a list is that we know there is money needed to be allocated for each project.

Quickly, jot down as many of your projects that come to mind. After they are written down, the next step is to evaluate whether to take on large projects or small projects and how many. Write the estimated costs next to each one … “just guesstimate”!

How much money do you have or what’s your budget?

The first thing I do when meeting with a new client is to ask this question. I very rarely get an answer. …*crickets chirping*… Most people do not know. The state of some people’s finances can be a little depressing, and other people just do not want to know. Many years ago, at the design company I worked at, I sold a sofa via credit card for $35,000.00….oops! I added an extra zero while running the credit card. Designer math is a little crazy! A few days later, the proper credit was made for the $3500 sofa. Days and years later, we have laughed that at least you are good for the money… Hee! Hee! It is good to know how much money you have and how you allocate that in your life.

How much money is dedicated to this particular project?

The word dedicated sounds nicer than budgeted. Spouses disagree on these things. The wife wants drapes and all the sudden that is not a line item on the budget. I enjoy asking the husband to show me his line item for “techy” stuff throughout the home. It is not asked like that BUT rather “Hey! What cool items are you dreaming of installing starting in the family room.” The conversation progresses at the size of the screen and there is no putting this lid back on the can. I then can start into negotiations for equal money distribution.

Let the project(s) begin!

Coming up with the Project Plan is your next step but first write down the projects!

Cover Photo by Theme Photos