Design Report
Outdoor Furnishings
This summer, designers sweep us off our feet with an ode to summer romance. Clean lines may flourish indoors, but soft and curvy transforms the outdoors with innovative pieces expressing comfort, warmth—and sometimes even a little humor

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With a “virtually indestructible aluminum frame and resin mesh,” the Maia chair from Kettal, by Patricia Urquiola, represents “a perfect marriage of technology, comfort and beautiful design,” Terry Draheim says. Available to the trade through Terris Draheim, Seattle Design Center, Ste. P-288, (206) 763-4100.


Defined by its curvy organic shape, the Nest lounger from Gloster’s Scoop Collection is an inviting sanctuary in which to “cocoon” for an afternoon. Available to the trade through Terris Draheim, Seattle Design Center, Ste. P-288, (206) 763-4100.

It’s finally summer, and outdoor temperatures are rising. Local design experts tell us that the concept of “romance” in outdoor furnishings is also on the rise, among other trends. From reintroductions of classic going-steady designs to the very latest looks with curvier lines, those trends include tables, chaises and chairs on a grander scale, the warm glow of metallic finishes, and beautiful new materials and textiles that work inside or out.

Personal Sanctuary
At Seattle Design Center’s Terris Draheim (206-763-4100, Terry Draheim shared new introductions, including pieces from Gloster. The trend-savvy Draheim says exterior furnishings are evolving toward a more romantic look. “I see things becoming softer, rounder and more voluptuous. It’s about a very deep and luxurious comfort,” he says. Gloster’s Scoop collection features curvy, comfortable seats, with a unique herringbone woven design. Large-scale pieces, such as Gloster’s Nest, encourage “cocooning.” At 43 inches tall and more than 73 inches wide, this design offers an inviting sanctuary that embraces the pleasure of relaxation in the broadest sense.

Warm-Toned Metallics
Offered in two striking colors—bronze or copper—Gloster’s Scoop collection also reflects a trend toward metallics that captivate with their warm-toned hues. Metallics made a splash in Paris and Milan in 2006, and now they’ve arrived in the American market. “We saw the return of gold about a year ago in the fashion magazines,” Draheim says. “Now exterior finishes are warmer, softer and gentler.”