Archive for October 2009
THE OUTDOOR ROOM... durability, design and beyond.
Today enjoying outdoor spaces has taken on its own persona with the creation of the Outdoor Room. Although not entirely a new concept, Outdoor Rooms have recently grown in popularity and encompass furnishings for maximizing use and enjoyment. From outdoor art to all-weather rugs, creating Outdoor Rooms is all the rage. Current buzz words like "cocooning" or "stay-cationing" point to the popularity of a trend in inhabiting, dressing and enjoying the spaces outside our back doors.
For some, outdoor living by design can be accomplished simply. For the true enthusiast of the outdoor room concept, it is a conscious decorating investment. With quality furnishing, styles not only create the maximum in relaxation comfort, but are built for optimum lifespan in the out-of-doors. A few tips, can help in making a lasting choice.
1. Durability of Construction... From wood to plastic, many constructions are being used in the creation of outdoor furnishings. An extremely durable choice is cast aluminum. "The ability to survive in the elements is a key benefit of cast aluminum," said Rory Rehmert, vice president of sales and marketing for casual furniture manufacturer, Pride Family Brands, a 30 year veteran of the outdoor industry and a past board member of the International Casual Furniture Association. "Attention to the finishing also is important when choosing metal furnishings and accessories." Currently, a process known as "Powder-coat" is considered the most durable and involves applying to the metal elements a plastic-type shell that seals the metal and prohibits rust.
2. Fashion Forward... When furnishings are selected for the out-of-doors, durability and low maintenance should be a first concern; but the fun part is the ability to add color and style. Outdoor fabrics for cushions and accessories today are full of decorative weaves, designs and lots of color. Keeping that color is all in making the right choice. Per Rehmert, the optimum choice is solution dyed fabrics. "Solution-dyed acrylics are colorfast in direct sun as well as are soft to the touch." Major brands to check out are Sunbrella(R) and Outdura(R). Both are fade resistant and can be washed with a 5 to 1 / water to bleach solution for easy clean up of stains or to eliminate mildew. With the resistance to bleach, these fabrics stay colorful even pool-side.
3. Pulling it Together... Outdoor furnishings today are being created to completely outfit an outdoor space. From entire living room set ups to dining for a crowd, selections are endless. With indoor relaxation styles moving outdoors, the availability of dad’s favorite, the recliner, now made of cast aluminum with oversized weather resistant fabric cushions is no surprise. Also hot right now are outdoor storage options. "Functional and beautiful, units are available in all-weather woven aluminum in multiple sizes with finishes to coordinate with outdoor seating," said Rehmert.
Beginning beyond your back door, creating an Outdoor Room can end up providing enjoyment beyond your dreams.
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For some, outdoor living by design can be accomplished simply. For the true enthusiast of the outdoor room concept, it is a conscious decorating investment. With quality furnishing, styles not only create the maximum in relaxation comfort, but are built for optimum lifespan in the out-of-doors. A few tips, can help in making a lasting choice.
1. Durability of Construction... From wood to plastic, many constructions are being used in the creation of outdoor furnishings. An extremely durable choice is cast aluminum. "The ability to survive in the elements is a key benefit of cast aluminum," said Rory Rehmert, vice president of sales and marketing for casual furniture manufacturer, Pride Family Brands, a 30 year veteran of the outdoor industry and a past board member of the International Casual Furniture Association. "Attention to the finishing also is important when choosing metal furnishings and accessories." Currently, a process known as "Powder-coat" is considered the most durable and involves applying to the metal elements a plastic-type shell that seals the metal and prohibits rust.
2. Fashion Forward... When furnishings are selected for the out-of-doors, durability and low maintenance should be a first concern; but the fun part is the ability to add color and style. Outdoor fabrics for cushions and accessories today are full of decorative weaves, designs and lots of color. Keeping that color is all in making the right choice. Per Rehmert, the optimum choice is solution dyed fabrics. "Solution-dyed acrylics are colorfast in direct sun as well as are soft to the touch." Major brands to check out are Sunbrella(R) and Outdura(R). Both are fade resistant and can be washed with a 5 to 1 / water to bleach solution for easy clean up of stains or to eliminate mildew. With the resistance to bleach, these fabrics stay colorful even pool-side.
3. Pulling it Together... Outdoor furnishings today are being created to completely outfit an outdoor space. From entire living room set ups to dining for a crowd, selections are endless. With indoor relaxation styles moving outdoors, the availability of dad’s favorite, the recliner, now made of cast aluminum with oversized weather resistant fabric cushions is no surprise. Also hot right now are outdoor storage options. "Functional and beautiful, units are available in all-weather woven aluminum in multiple sizes with finishes to coordinate with outdoor seating," said Rehmert.
Beginning beyond your back door, creating an Outdoor Room can end up providing enjoyment beyond your dreams.
# # #
Pride Family Brand's Design Excellence Designation Creates Excitement at International Casual Furniture Market and at Retail for 2010
Pride Family Brands, manufacturers of high quality casual furniture, was recognized by a panel of designers, retailers and media experts from within the casual industry for excellence in design during the recent International Casual Furniture Market. The Pride design team was the recipient of the industry's Design Excellence designation for the Cast Aluminum category with The Sophia Collection's formal dining chair. This is the fourth time that Pride Family Brands, the holder of nearly 50 design patents, has been singled out for this honor.
"Even though we have been recognized for Design Excellence for previous products, this award is especially meaningful to our designers, our sales team, and our retailers due to the current business climate," said Jamie Lowsky, CEO of Pride Family Brands. "This award is not only recognition of a beautiful design in the Sophia Collection, but also of our company's commitment to quality designed products when many within the industry are cutting back design emphasis and limiting introductions."
Prior to the award announcement, the Sophia Collection from Pride's Castelle brand was already creating a great deal of excitement among those visiting Pride's all new 12,000 square foot showroom within Chicago's Merchandise Mart. "We strive each and every year to bring quality designs to our customers," said Rory Rehmert, Vice President Sales and marketing for Pride Family Brands. "This designation is always a plus and provides added excitement for our sales team as well as for those working at the retail level."
The Sophia Formal Dining Chair is a part of a collection featuring wide woven aluminum and a unique slender turned-style spindle leg and arm detail. The Sophia Collection, which includes deep seating, formal and sling dining and motion seating, will be available in fine specialty retail stores for spring of 2010.
For over 30 years, Pride Family Brands has been a family owned manufacturer of quality outdoor furniture. For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of outdoor furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
"Even though we have been recognized for Design Excellence for previous products, this award is especially meaningful to our designers, our sales team, and our retailers due to the current business climate," said Jamie Lowsky, CEO of Pride Family Brands. "This award is not only recognition of a beautiful design in the Sophia Collection, but also of our company's commitment to quality designed products when many within the industry are cutting back design emphasis and limiting introductions."
Prior to the award announcement, the Sophia Collection from Pride's Castelle brand was already creating a great deal of excitement among those visiting Pride's all new 12,000 square foot showroom within Chicago's Merchandise Mart. "We strive each and every year to bring quality designs to our customers," said Rory Rehmert, Vice President Sales and marketing for Pride Family Brands. "This designation is always a plus and provides added excitement for our sales team as well as for those working at the retail level."
The Sophia Formal Dining Chair is a part of a collection featuring wide woven aluminum and a unique slender turned-style spindle leg and arm detail. The Sophia Collection, which includes deep seating, formal and sling dining and motion seating, will be available in fine specialty retail stores for spring of 2010.
For over 30 years, Pride Family Brands has been a family owned manufacturer of quality outdoor furniture. For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of outdoor furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
