By Design

A well-designed garden, like an interior, reflects the balancing of color, texture, scale and use of materials. And whether a garden, terrace, deck or the house itself is the backdrop for an outdoor room, keeping it simple is key to furnishing.

Which is why when the media are mixed, the message, more and more, is modern. Not modern just for the sake of being edgy, or even minimal. It has more to do with clean lines -- straight, curved, sometimes tailored.

Wovens, some with the desired look of something hand crafted, show an exciting range, stretching in new directions beyond wicker and rattan clones. There's also a bit of retro styling, in some instances actually revisiting a previously introduced design and tweaking it for today.

Even slipcovered looks, which have really gained traction in recent years, feature updated upholstered silhouettes with squarish or curvy shapes.

Increasingly, consumers are finding that it's kind of cool to mix materials and even styles -- and manufacturers are beginning to get the message. In other words, the idea of totally matched sets can be as boring outdoors as it is indoors. So even those whose vocabulary is more traditional might be attracted to something more contemporary, and a single piece can really pop if it's deftly integrated.

That commitment to being fresh and relevant and reaching out to younger buyers while keeping its core customers happy is especially apparent when a company that's more than 100 years old is doing it. The newest batch of furnishings introduced by Lloyd Flanders daringly teamed stainless with the woven wicker that is a signature, and it pushed the envelope with other designs that feature mesh looks.

Not coincidentally, some of what's driving the expression of more modern designs is advancing technology -- both in terms of how indoor items have been adapted for outdoor use as well as how the building blocks themselves have evolved with new sophistication.

"Virtually anything that was previously used exclusively indoors has been adapted for the outside," says designer Richard Frinier, who is based in Long Beach, Calif. "Kitchens, TVs, rugs, lighting, sculpture, artwork."

Frinier is particularly excited about textiles, not only because technology now allows such innovations as stretch and tight mesh weaves, but also hybrids like a linen and burlap that he recently designed for Glen Raven. Best of all, for this designer, is a value-added sustainability.

"The Origins collection, which I did for Glen Raven, has Renaissance recycled yarns with a rich, mottled color palette. We are living in a time when people are more interested than ever in reducing our carbon footprint."

Fabrics, of course, can introduce color and texture, in solids or bold or subtle patterns. In addition, dressmaker details such as piping (especially contrast), fringe and buttons (tufted looks) add more of the touches we're accustomed to seeing indoors.

But form, like the architecture of a home or shrub, is especially compelling with some of the newest designs.

The modular collection from the British manufacturer Gloster, for example, has a familiarity, yet is oh so fresh with its overscale weave. Add to that a rich curved shape with deep seating, all on a powder-coated frame, which makes it cocoonlike. Not surprisingly, the concept was imagined by German textile designer Mathias Hoffmann, as its wide straps channel fabric more than synthetic wicker.

Also cradling is the chair from Gloster's new Dansk collection. Designers Povl Eskildsen and Philip Behrens nod to 1950s Danish style for inspiration in frames that are solid teak with tapering legs and upholstered in faux leather.

Outdoor furniture designers also are taking note of interiors trends. In some instances, as with the Marin dining and lounge collection from Brown Jordan, its credenza is handsome and stylish enough to be welcome inside. Designed by Los Angeles-based Michael Berman, who calls his signature style "American Trans-Modern," in natural plantation teak wood, the chairs feature striking details, such as cording through stainless steel eyelets on the sides of the chairs.

"Marin brings to mind elegant precedents like Art Deco furniture," says Stephen F. Elton, chief brand officer for Brown Jordan. "It can work in a California beach house, a garden in Connecticut or an upscale resort in the mountains."

A move to warmer metals, particularly a burnished brass that's less strident in color and finish than in the past, is reflected in a collection that actually is a new iteration of the iconic Kantan, which was designed in 1956 by Tadao Inouye for Brown Jordan. Richard Frinier reimagined the mid-century pieces in brass frames with the company's proprietary Suncloth straps.

"Mid-century designers pushed materials and form to the maximum," says Elton, "but stayed true to the practical needs of people -- who will use the product and where and how? Kantan II is as fresh, stylish and human-friendly as ever."

Many of the modern styles are inviting, perhaps more approachable. One style that embodies the cozy factor is the Nomad seating from Gloster. The armless chairs are wide and serpentine, and they draw style points with horizontal striped fabric cladding.

Skinny horizontal stripes are garnering attention in mesh, as well. Mamagreen, a Belgian manufacturer, introduced a striped collection whose upholstery is quick drying mesh, made from a strong polyester or hemp non-stretch yarn coated with vinyl, all mold and UV-resistant. The design actually was inspired by Navajo textiles.

Mesh as upholstery also is part of the innovative design for the Luna group from Lloyd Flanders. Its taut form is relieved with gentle curves, but even more intriguing is the material's sheerness, with a peekaboo to the frame. Shown in a shade of taupe, the hue signals a strong color shift to grays that's also happening in kitchens and surfaces, for example.

The other potentially seismic shift is to white. In Paris, at the twice-yearly international furniture show, Maison et Objet, white was more than a blip in exterior furnishings. In the United States, it is starting to show up both in frames and in upholstery.

The teaming of marine blue and white is especially crisp. An updated classic strap design called Flex from Brown Jordan features Suncloth straps hand-woven over a sleek white powder-coated aluminum frame -- a design from Richard Frinier.

At Tropitone, white faux leather is a sexy entree into the contemporary category. Even more drop-dead, is a chair that combines white cushions in a supple frame of rich red faux leather on polished stainless-steel legs.

Splashes of color can lift neutral groupings. In showing off two of its slipcover looks, Lane Venture teamed an armless chair with a wide seat in raspberry and a beige sofa, highlighted with a touch of yellow and raspberry accent pillows. It's a simple design concept borrowed from interiors that resonates equally in the al fresco landscape.

Sources

-- Brown Jordan, 800-743-4252, www.brownjordan.com

-- Fermob, in French -- click "EN" for English version, www.fermob.com

-- Gloster, 434-575-1003, www.gloster.com

-- Lane Venture, www.laneventure.com

-- Lloyd Flanders, 800-526-9894, www.lloydflanders.com

-- Mamagreen USA, 415-279-7895, www.mamagreenusa.com

-- Tropitone, 800-654-7000, www.tropitone.com

For most, choosing dinnerware is a necessity for those setting up a first apartment or a nicety associated with getting married. Bridal registries allow the dream of the fancy, as well as aspirational everyday for Food & Wine menus or takeout, with all the coordinating elements for stellar entertaining.

But so much about tabletop has changed, particularly in the last decade. And it's not just that so many choices have made it dizzying to narrow down, but lifestyle shifts are influencing the way we set the table.

"There's a casualization," says DJ Carey, editorial director for Connecticut Cottages and Living (Connecticut, Hamptons and New York editions). "The latest research shows there is great interest in food and health. More people are enjoying preparing food at home. Kitchens, in general, are getting larger in square footage, often taking (space) from the dining room. These large open plans include areas to entertain.

"Table settings are more relaxed -- a mix of everyday china with formal pieces, fun collectibles used as a centerpiece. Glassware follows suit with crystal wine glasses sitting comfortably alongside everyday water glasses. And shapes are being mixed -- square plates stacked on circular. There is more whimsy, more fun -- and it's more comfortable and easy to create. Best yet, color is everywhere on the table."

This is a shift that is pretty consistent with what is happening in home design. Matchy-matchy is not required; in fact, it's pretty much frowned upon. Mixing it up and layering is cool, just as the hip do with their wardrobes. And even though white and off-white remain a safe and popular go-to, introducing a little color, texture and pattern is gaining momentum. These days, that might extend to glassware and flatware as well.

"The days of matching plates are gone," says Carey, "and people are enjoying adding fun pieces to their tables. It's an easy way to change the personality of any table setting."

Like home furnishings, tabletop design is getting serious impetus from couture runways as well as global and textile influences. More fashion (and interior) designers have collections that reflect their style: Isaac Mizrahi (Gibson Overseas Inc.), Kate Spade and Donna Karan (Lenox), Missoni (Richard Ginori), Charlotte Moss and Kelly Wearstler (Pickard), the house of Versace (Rosenthal). Even iconic textile designs, such as the graphic black-and-white zebra on vibrant red that graced wallpaper from Scalamandre since 1930, have been translated to dishes.

What's new in patterns covers a range of motifs that pretty much reflect those in other areas of home fashions. Florals, a mainstay of traditional, also have more modern interpretations that are stylized, more graphic and open. Animal prints and faux-bois patterns are presented in unexpected hues, such as Kelly Wearstler's edgy Marquetry design with a fuchsia or periwinkle ground. Nature is, of course, another perennially popular theme, with birds, butterflies, leaves and other organic motifs a favorite depiction.

Pop-arty polka dots, retro looks or graffiti-like calligraphy, especially intriguing in metallic gold or silver, add to the modern edge.

But even solids are distinguished, not just because of the wide selection of hues afforded by improved glazes, but also because of texture and surface decoration, some of which also echo fabric trends. West Coast designer Laurie Gates, for example, introduced a new collection called Tara at the October tabletop show at 41 Madison Avenue in New York City. Available in a neutral glazed taupe or citron, it's decorated with what looks like asymmetrically placed appliqued white lace.

Mottahedeh's new Jars collection (sold through Barneys, www.barneys.com) excels in celebrating color in fashion-forward corals and limey greens, among others, through an engaging crackled glaze. Jars Ceramistes is a pottery crafted in the south of France.

Embossed plates also raise the decorative bar, especially in monochromatic expressions. Mateus' ceramic ware, handcrafted in Portugal, features relief work such as lacey patterns or butterflies spilling over the edges of plates, which add dimension and appealing color that make the line a standout.

The desire for handmade looks is consistent with what is happening in tile design, as technology ramps up efforts to produce dimensional pieces that look as if they've been crafted and glazed by hand rather than machine. Improvements in ink-jet technology also have affected the production of plates -- and color capabilities.

A shot of color is an easy add-on to the table, especially with wide-bordered chargers in a rainbow of hues from manufacturers including Villeroy & Boch, Mottahedeh and William Yeoward. "They're a great way to add vibrancy and interest," says New York designer Tara Seawright.

But color is not at limited to dinnerware -- flatware and glassware also are providing a lift. From resins in bright hues to wood handles, some of which are shapely as well, sculptural flatware adds still another dimension to the table.

The new diversity in flatware has inspired some to shake up conventions. Seawright loves doing the unorthodox -- like teaming high-end, ornate Christofle silver with Lucite for a kick. This goes along with grabbing fun accessories from Target or Pier I and bringing them to a glam table. It's the art of high-low, which some designers pull off brilliantly.

"It's like the J. Crew equivalent," says Seawright. "Mixing ornate costume jewelry with high heels, a T-shirt, sweater and jeans."

And to dress up the table, there's always a little bling. One manufacturer, Prouna, offers a beautiful selection of dinnerware that's embellished with Swarovski crystals. Best of all, the pieces are dishwasher-safe. To coordinate, there's a line of table linens decorated with crystals.

Flashes of gold and silver also can add a bit of glam, as singular accents or as part of the plate design. Besides banding on dishes, the metallic also can decorate the plate. Michael Wainwright's use of metal materials has become a signature. A sculptor who also has made jewelry, Wainwright's studio is in Barrington, Mass.

"I like the combination of hand made things with the elegance of precious metals," says Wainwright. "Gold and platinum are timeless, not like a color that goes out of fashion. And this is like jewelry for the table."

One of Wainwright's most popular collections, Palio, inspired by the annual ancient horse race in Siena, Italy, combines 24-karat gold, platinum and rose gold in concentric stripes around the plates. Just as in furnishings, designers are no longer sticking to one metal.

"There's a mix of metals and all types of textures," says DJ Carey, "and a big push to mix opposites -- rough with smooth, high with low, shiny with flat and all metals. These combinations add more interest to the table. I love the trend of combining textures and finishes to give your table a sophisticated look -- a great alternative to using color."

Matte and glossy finishes come together to add interest, especially in neutral palettes -- a look that's on trend in Europe. Donna Karan's collections for Lenox feature some of these looks.

Still, as sophisticated as we've become, there's one small issue.

"Many people do not know how to set a proper table -- they have never been taught," says Carey. "Many families don't sit down together, so how can we be surprised? Interior designers, event planners, caterers and tabletop shops are stepping in to educate the consumer."

But Carey feels the push back to entertaining in the home bodes well -- for the next generation. With more style and choices, some colorful and eye-catching tabletops are sure to blossom. Also, as tastes evolve, there's an "aha" moment that you don't have to be married to one style the rest of your life.

"Setting the table is about being creative," says Carey. "It's the ultimate gift you can give your guests."

Even if the placement isn't perfect.

Sources

-- Bloomingdales, 800-777-0000, www.bloomingdales.com -- for Scalamandre by Lenox, Mateus (www.mateus.se) and Versace (www.rosenthalusa.com)

-- Charlotte Moss for Pickard China, 847-395-3800, www.pickardchina.com; also Charlotte Moss, 212-308-7088, www.charlottemoss.com

-- Isaac Mizrahi at Gibson Overseas Inc., 800-281-2810, www.gibsonusa.com

Kelly Wearstler for Pickard China, 847-395-3800, www.pickardchina.com; also Kelly Wearstler, 855-295-3559, www.kellywearstler.com

Lenox, 800-223-4311, www.lenox.com (for Kate Spade, Scalamandre and Donna Karan)

-- Michael Wainwright, 413-717-4211, www.michaelwainwright.com

-- Mottahedeh, 800-443-8225, www.mottahedeh.com

-- Nikko Ceramics Inc., 201-840-5200, www.nikkoceramics.com

-- Portmeirion, 888-778-1471, www.portmeirion.co.uk

-- Vietri Inc., 919-245-4180, www.vietri.com

SIDEBAR A

BARWARE ON A ROLL

It's no longer a matter of which glass to use for white or red wine. Now, besides shape and style, color has been added to the repertoire.

Not only in water glasses, but wine, champagne and all manner of drinks.

"Ah the boom of barware," says DJ Carey, editorial director for Cottages & Homes (Connecticut, Hamptons and New York editions). "This is a big reaction to TV series like 'Mad Men.' In addition, the spirits industry has added lots of excitement with many exotic flavored spirits: flavored vodkas like cotton candy, fruit flavors. So where do we house our new collection of spirits? On a cool bar cart, again, a glance back to the 1950s or 1960s. These carts can be rolled into any seating area versus going to a built-in bar -- and the investment is much less."

SIDEBAR B

SHED SOME LIGHT

Tea lights and even small-scale lamps are trending on the tabletop and sideboard. There's a huge range in styles -- from casual to elegant crystal, and even the latter come in fetching colors. Some of the diminutive lights have stylish shades; some are neither electrified nor use candles, as in a DIY model that provides a fashion-forward shade; you provide the wine glasses and LED candles to set it up.

Feeling a little blue? You're not alone. From the palest chambray to inky midnight, blue is asserting itself in the home and on fashion runways.

Deep, rich shades of indigo (some with notes of violet) and an in-between cobalt, sapphire and navy hue called Monaco are dominant -- the latter identified by Pantone as the "it" color for spring. But you'll spot variants from peacock, Aegean and robin's egg to whispers of sky and dusk (another Pantone shade for spring described as "sort of Zen") -- all of which enable blue to soothe as well as excite. So cool, it's so hot now.

"The thing about blue that's so good is that it can be exotic," says Kim Shaver, vice president of marketing for Hooker Furniture. "It can go cottage or coastal. It can take on a myriad of personalities and styles. It's easy to blend with other colors in a decorating scheme -- with citrus, rich red, even orange. With crisp white, of course, it's a classic."

Monaco blue, in particular, "speaks to the practicality that we are seeing in society," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director for the Pantone Color Institute. "There is still concern out there for the economy."

But blue is elemental, the color of the sky and water, and a staple and part of a traditional palette in many countries. It conjures images of brilliant blue and white houses on Greek islands, beachy cottages, Colonial Williamsburg, tile in Mexico, Turkey or Morocco, Delftware, 19th-century Flow Blue earthenware, Chinese or English porcelains, vintage Japanese kimonos. And, of course, the ubiquitous blue jeans keep it ever present.

A favorite of many around the globe, blue never gets tired, especially when the shade is tweaked or refreshed in pattern. But the deeper shades such as indigo are being inspired by the world market, especially Asia.

"Traditionally, indigo has appeared in chinoiserie, ikat prints and Persian rugs," says New York-based designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd, who created a fabric collection for Duralee and is a frequent speaker on color trends. "The design industry is always looking back to historical references for inspiration. Clearly, indigo blue is timeless."

Some textile motifs go to ethnic roots, with batiks, tie-dyes, or designs evocative of embroidered suzanis. In addition to these classics, zigzags, large-scale florals, some of which display marvelous watery effects with digital printing, all were part of introductions at Paris Deco Off, a textile trade show held in conjunction with Maison et Objet in January.

"Ethnic patterns are soulful and handmade-looking, which is why designers are drawn to them," says Boyd. "They're rich in history, providing endless inspiration, and they never go out of style."

With the new blues, from homespun textures to silks smooth as satin to printed linens and velvets, there's a range from rustic to elegant. And furniture surfaces are equally engaging. At the High Point, N.C., furnishings market in October, Hickory Chair introduced a dramatic, marbleized fabric from Hable Construction. The graphic pattern was used as upholstery, even to clad a tall chest, something inspired by a 1940s folding screen.

At Hooker Furniture, a traditional French bombe style chest of drawers got a more streamlined silhouette and a high-gloss finish in Monaco blue. And at Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture, designer Alexander Julian translated the sartorial navy blue blazer into a chic lacquer chest (tall and short), with the piece de resistance: handmade Italian blazer buttons as door pulls, placed so that they appear to taper from top to bottom, just as on a double breasted jacket.

While solid blues in different shades and designs can be effectively combined, the layering of patterns is especially popular in tabletops. The new Somerset Island collection at Lauren Home furthers Ralph Lauren's affinity for blue (there's also a bedding collection called Indigo). There are several mix-an-match patterns, including floral, woven and solid, on dinner plates as well as companion salad plates.

Many see indigo -- and even other blues -- as a neutral. "Indigo," says Boyd, "is a dark note that pairs well with orange, coral, yellow and kelly green." At the casual furniture market in the fall, there were even teamings of navy with hot pink, a very sophisticated, fashion-forward look.

The kind of statement you make with blue depends on how much you use, and whether it's background, as in paint or covering for walls or ceiling, or grounding the space with an area rug. One of these, says Boyd, would become a more prominent design element, as would a large sofa. "Lamps, pillows and other accessories will be more subtle."

Take cues from design magazines and manufacturers. Often vignettes and room settings are styled not only to show off the new wares, but also to launch ideas for combining fabrics, patterns and colors.

In a living room designed for Hooker, buttery yellow walls are the perfect foil for a pair of modern teal blue leather wing chairs. Other background colors share equal weight, making one or both pop. Most often, blue and white work together in a terrific tandem. To show off a new collection, French manufacturer Christian Fischbacher presented ottomans, pillows, rugs and curtains all in shades of blue against a grayed white wall. Likewise, under the header "We've got the blues, and it feels so good," retailer CB2 put the spotlight on several strong shades, from peppy peacock to a rich royal called navy, with high-gloss cabinetry, sofas, smashing graphic rugs and pillows, striped vases and even a floor lamp with an arresting peacock base.

Teaming more casual weaves like denims and tweeds with jute needn't consign a look to casual. As with many interiors today, you can add a bit of bling -- with beads, silky accents and metal, especially silver -- just as in fashion.

From soothing spa shades to signature Tiffany to inky indigo, this palette can be restful or rambunctious. One thing is certain: You won't want to chase these blues away.

Sources

-- Barclay Butera for Mirror Image Home, 323-869-1700, www.mirrorimagehome.com

-- Bradington Young, a division of Hooker Furniture, 704-435-5881, www.bradingtonyoung.com

-- Calico Corners, 800-213-6366, www.calicocorners.com

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- Christian Fischbacher, c/o Harvey & Associates, 714-996-3344, www.fischbacher.com

-- Groundworks, a division of Lee Jofa, 888-533-5632, www.leejofa.com/groundworks_fabrics.htm

-- Hickory Chair Furniture Co., 800-349-4579, www.hickorychair.com

-- Hooker Furniture, 276-656-3335, www.hookerfurniture.com

-- Jonathan Adler for Kravet, 800-648-5728, www.kravet.com

-- Kim Salmela Atelier, 323-782-1290, www.kimsalmela.com

-- Kravet, 800-648-5728, www.kravet.com

-- Lauren Ralph Lauren's Somerset Island Collection is available through Macy's, 800-289-6229, www.macys.com

-- Le Creuset, 877-418-5547, www.lecreuset.com

-- Pierre Frey, 212-421-0534, www.pierrefrey.com

-- Restoration Hardware, 800-910-9836, www.restorationhardware.com

-- Sam Moore, a division of Hooker Furniture, 540-586-8253, www.sammoore.com

-- Surya, 212-643-9350, www.surya.com

-- Thibaut, 800-223-0704, www.thibautdesign.com

-- Wisteria, 800-320-9757, www.wisteria.com

SIDEBAR A

IS BLUE THE NEW YOU?

Anyone who wears blue jeans can attest to their go-with-everything versatility. So particular shades of blue really can act as neutrals, as some designers attest. You may already be a true blue fan. But even if blue isn't a part of your home's "wardrobe," you might consider some touches.

Depending on the shade you choose, blue can be edgy or calming. You can add high-voltage electricity to a neutral scheme or a relaxed vibe that's also elegant. A simple addition like a bold blue framed mirror can create surprising energy, commanding attention in a foyer. You might add a floor runner in blue and white -- even weatherproof outdoor rugs are available in this palette.

Introduce a little blue into the kitchen with enameled cookware, or on a smaller scale try a spatula or whisk in marine blue. Add a blue plate special to your table. You might try a new service for four, or simply opt for salad or dessert plates in a perky pattern, modern floral or geometric. Pillows easily change up looks, and you'll have plenty of choices from nuanced solids to patterns. Paint the interior of a white bookshelf in a marine blue for richness or create your own lacquered look on the walls of a powder room.

Check out the Wisteria catalog for some ideas for blending blues and adding fabulous natural accents, such as pears or Granny Smith apples, lemons, as well as luscious blue hydrangeas. It just might make you hungry for a bowl of blueberries.

SIDEBAR B

FAMILIAR, ELEMENTAL AND EVOCATIVE

Fabric, of course, allows you to customize your furnishings, to create your own look, whether it's re-upholstering a chair, creating a new window treatment, sewing a duvet cover or popping in some new pillows.

You'll find a lot of blue at fabric shops, such as Calico Corners, and through textile manufacturers that have ramped up all shades of the palette, especially indigo. And patterns are plentiful, from vintage paisleys and toiles to contemporary geometrics and stripes.

Restoration Hardware launched a House of Blues collection last year, its first foray into color (and currently sells yummy garment-dyed linen bedding and Turkish bath towels as well as washed linen throws and pillows in indigo). Indigo is showing up in many spring fashion collections as well. No surprise -- from denim to pale chambray, these blues are more than familiar, part of the fabric of our lives.