By Design

What's new in outdoor furnishings?

Better question: What isn't?

One of the most rapidly growing segments of home design, the U.S. market for outdoor furniture is projected to exceed $5 billion by the year 2017, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts Inc.

The concept of outdoor living, according to the market research report, is especially being expressed in lavish outdoor living spaces with comfortable seating and elaborate lighting. More than ever, it's driven by style, color, pattern and a wide range of materials, as well as technology that makes things sturdy, water-resistant, fade- and mold-proof. Add to that, music, flat screens and kitchens, as well as ambience -- water and fire features.

After what has been a brutal, tenacious winter in most parts of the country, the idea of sunshine, flowers and doing anything al fresco is nearly exhilarating. Whether you're looking to add to existing pieces or start fresh, focus on making a big impression. As in big scale, big statement or the next big thing.

Shop around and you'll find that a lot of seating is upsized -- not only in the frame itself, but even in the proportion of some of the components, such as wood and outdoor wicker weaves. One new wood chair at Restoration Hardware (RH) features unusually broad rustic slats, much like wide plank flooring. Clearly this won't work on a small balcony, but it does lend itself well to a generous terrace or roof deck, where more delicate pieces might read like postage stamps.

Modern style seems to be making the most noise because of its simplicity and clean lines. That parallels the trend inside -- both in furnishings and in the kitchen.

"Contemporary styling is at the forefront of high-end design today," says Phil Haney, president and CEO of Lexington Home Brands. "It is redefining the look of luxury living, with bold lines and an exuberant sense of style. At the same time, affluent consumers are looking for outdoor living spaces that mirror the styling and sophistication of their interior decor."

Synthetic weaves are making a strong case for high visibility. They're appreciated because of the texture they add, especially if you mix in other materials, like metals and woods. Chunkier sweaterlike weaves or mega-scaled ribbon or crocheted looks still look fresh, as do sheer, opaque weaves that stretch over frames like upholstery and more delicate, spider-web weaves.

Slipcovered looks also are gaining traction. Most are indistinguishable from seating that might be in the family room. Cushions that feel like they're plumped with down express the idea of comfort outdoors as well as in. In the spring Arhaus catalog (www.arhaus.com) there are several slipcover offerings, including menswear gray with white striping. A wide range of choice in performance fabrics that are stain- and sun-resistant from well-known high-end companies such as Donghia, Robert Allen and Boussac, are boosting widespread use indoors as well, not only for upholstery, but also for drapery. Ethnic-inspired geometrics, lively palettes and lovely tapestry weights also are informing outdoor fabric designs.

Although most of the fully upholstered pieces still are neutral, we're starting to see some overblown patterns, especially out of Europe. Missoni, an Italian company, recently launched a large-scale floral. These big blooms are particularly edgy on poufs, which seem to be this year's go-to accessory. That's because these stylish ottomans are so versatile: They can serve as cocktail tables or extra seating, and whether they're rounded or gently sloped squares, they can be low-key or high-octane, depending on color.

Other well-known fashion brands (such as the luxury Fendi) have extended their offerings to the outdoors. Familiar high-end design names such as Christian Liaigre, Bunny Williams and Rose Tarlow have followed suit. Their fans appreciate the continuity of style as well as the eclecticism that these designers offer.

"Furniture enhances the roomlike quality of an outdoor space, just as it transforms empty rooms indoors," says New York designer Bunny Williams. "It makes a space more welcoming. I find complete suites of garden furniture to be heavy looking and overdone. On the other hand, too many disparate pieces mixed together look cluttered and distract from the garden."

Williams' collection for Century Furniture does deliver a mix of materials, such as handwoven resin, solid raw teak and powder-coated aluminum. Some tabletops have a zinc finish.

"The pieces are beautiful on their own," says Comer Wear, marketing director for Century, "yet work together to create settings that feel lived in the way we would think of outdoor living."

Tarlow's Arabesque collection for Sutherland nods to 18th-century Georgian style. It's Sutherland's first mahogany group, and it's finished in a proprietary antiqued ivory crackle.

White also is re-emerging as a strong option in contemporary design (sometimes in a glossy finish and particularly effective when teamed with black). Although gray still reigns as the new loved neutral, in frames from weathered wood to glossy powder-coated aluminum and even in upholstery, color still is the obvious catalyst for energizing a space.

Gray teams well with most hues. But a tropical punch -- vivid hues across the spectrum -- can really shake things up. A single rogue chair frame or even multiples (seating around a dining table, for example), ottomans, pillows, throws, planters and small-scale tables in strong colors can all add drama.

Just as it does indoors, color unifies the design as it draws the eye into a setting and visually connects the dots. You might start with a pot of fuchsia petunias or dahlias and pick up the color in pillows and a sassy striped rug.

Creating ambience is more important than ever, since entertaining is so much a part of outdoor living. This is why fire pits have been blazing hot -- not only for the warmth that they deliver, but for the same reasons that people like to sit around the fireplace inside: It's cozy.

And even if you don't have a full outdoor kitchen, there are new hybrid grills, pizza ovens and smokers to heat up summer fare.

Grills and water features rate highly on the 2014 residential landscape architecture trends survey.

"Homeowners are interested in livable, open spaces that are both stylish and earth friendly, says Nancy Somerville, executive vice president for the American Society of Landscape Architects, which conducted the survey. "Homeowners know that designed landscapes add value to their lives -- as well as their property values."

Sources

-- Beacon Hill, 800-333-3777, www.beaconhilldesign.com

-- Boussac, Pierre Frey, to the trade through Gracie Showroom, 212-421-0534, www.pierrefrey.com

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

-- Bunny Williams, Century Furniture, 800-852-5552, www.centuryfurniture.com

-- Christian Liaigre, 212-257-6136, www.christian-liaigre.fr/en

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

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Kalamazoo, 800-868-1699, www.kalamazoogourmet.com

-- Missoni Home, through YLiving, 800-236-9100, www.yliving.com

-- Munder-Skiles, 212-717-0150, www.munder-skiles.com

-- Paloform, 888-823-8883, www.paloform.com

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

-- Rose Tarlow Melrose House at Sutherland, 800-717-8325, www.sutherlandfurniture.com

-- Tommy Bahama Outdoor Living, Lexington Home Brands, 336-474-5300, www.tbfurniture.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

SIDEBAR A

FIRE, GOOD

Fire features continue to sizzle in popularity outdoors. There's an uptick in patio heating products, according to a Freedonia Group industry study, mostly because they extend the season, allowing outdoor spaces to be used comfortably even in cooler weather.

Fire pits offer an attractive option when there's no room for a built-in fireplaces. There's a wide variety of bowl shapes as well as tables, some of which even offer a cooking option. As linear fireplaces are trending indoors, that sleek profile now is being extended to the modern outdoor room.

In the landscape, a freestanding long and narrow piece can ride low, sometimes doubling as a cocktail table, or serving as a divider (Paloform's latest design, the Komodo, is 7 feet long and stands 2 feet tall.

Also observing trends, but this time in restaurants, is Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet. Its new Gaucho grill delivers authentic Argentinian Santa Maria style features such as the signature 36-inch spoked stainless steel wheel. Supported on a 30-inch tall bridge, the wheel raises and lowers the cooking surface cradle to allow both searing and slow, low-temperature cooking. Rotisserie cooking also is an option. The grill will be available to order in May -- at between $17,495 and $21,195.

SIDEBAR B

PERSONALIZE YOUR OUTSIDE PERCH WITH COLOR & TEXTURE

As more upscale manufacturers look outdoors to expand their product lines, the bar has been raised with regard to quality, style and hand, especially because of technology that enables replication of most types of materials that wouldn't normally be associated with exposure to the elements -- everything from lookalike leathers to velvets to convincing linens.

Boussac is new to the outdoor arena, and its introduction at Pierre Frey in January during Paris Deco Off, an annual showing of textiles, did not disappoint. Some patterns are inspired by 1950s-style geometrics that really transcend era. Palettes include vivid, happy hues.

At Beacon Hill, another direction a tapestry-like material in rich hues woven in the Chinese province of Guizhou, known for its intricate batiks, detailed embroideries, complex appliques and saturated tie-dyes.

Such diversity and wealth of design goes a long way to boost the personalization of outdoor spaces.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

Like a piece of furniture, fabric can sit quietly in a room, barely noticed. Or it can light up the space, pulling the eye like a magnet to a vibrant color or distinctive pattern.

It's the softer side of interiors -- literally one that takes the edge off strong architecture or furniture. Fabric panels frame windows in a flowing or tailored way that quietly complements. For many designers, the colors in a pattern can launch a room's palette, even a particular paint color to match. Textiles, by their hand or shimmer, can totally dictate mood. A cashmere, silk or velvet suggests lushness and elegance. Chenille and linen present a more casual, sporty vibe, even though these, too, can also be considered dress-up. In combination, they can be most dynamic, as foils to one another: supple to textural, shiny to matte.

We sort of take textiles for granted. We sit on them, sleep on them, dry ourselves off with them, and, of course, wear them.

And it's that intersection of fashion and furnishings that we're seeing more and more. From runways to living rooms, the influences of graphics, patterns and even styles are translated. A bold geometric suggests sassy, assertive and sometimes retro design. A painterly floral gives a romantic note. A photo realistic graphic provides an urban vibe.

While color often gets top play in the news (Pantone's color of the year, in case you haven't heard, is radiant orchid), what's happening in textile design usually is celebrated as part of the story of a room's interior, sometimes the footnote to a fashion collection. But it can easily be the star.

What's trending globally actually starts to unfold at two major international shows in January in Europe: Frankfurt, Germany is host to Heimtextil, a trade show hosted by Messe Frankfurt, where you'll see thousands of fabrics, wallcoverings, bedding and home textiles -- and even the artwork that inspires them. At Paris Deco Off, just a week later this past January, high-end showrooms on both the Left Bank and Right Bank of the Seine host retailers and designers to show off their newest lines, concurrent with Maison & Objet, a major home-design exposition.

If one chord was struck repeatedly at both events, it was the influence of technology, particularly digital, on design. Imagine the photorealism possible with even smartphone shots today -- and the possibility of faithfully translating crisp, realistic images to fabric and wallcovering. Or intentionally out-of-focus images that have a painterly look. In fact, scanning original paintings or artwork adds still another dimension, as does the layering of images, like montages in scrapbooks. Add to that a range of colors and blends not even possible before and the capability of not repeating a pattern.

A stunning new collection from Romo's Black Edition features the work of British artist Jessica Zoob digitally reproduced. Emily Mould, Romo's design director, says, "Zoob's imaginative use of texture and color in her emotionally charged, contemporary impressionist paintings translates effortlessly onto fabrics."

In addition to graphics, texture also was an important element. This was expressed in a variety of ways: embroidery and beading, embellishments such as tufts, and even dimensional materials, where pleats or weaves amplified a flat surface to 3-D. An appreciation of handcrafted looks or the perception of handmade is ramping up. So the chunky knits and crochets we've been seeing hints of the last couple of years in home design are making an even bigger showing -- and sometimes in surprising materials, including synthetics with the hand of rubber.

At Christian Fischbacher, exploration of texture was showcased in a new fabric (and pillow design). The interlocking pattern appeared in relief, the result of adding a foam to the silk surface, then a layer of foil set with a heat adhesive, which lends an almost iridescent effect. It won an award for innovation.

Unusual weaves also extend to linens and wools, some of which show striking layerings. And sheers are adding a new wrinkle -- "netted tulles," for example, which offer a great option for window treatments that screen without blocking light -- in an extensive palette, as well as wider grid fisherman's netting, in a kind of macrame revival. In addition, metallic threads are lending a bit of glam to some fabrics.

What's intriguing about the luxe looks this time is that they often were shown in combination with more casual, rustic fabrics -- a trend that is recurring in home design. A room with wide-plank, weathered floors and linen upholstery, for example, might sport lacquered cabinetry and a crystal chandelier.

If you're shopping for spring and summer textiles, here are a few things you might see:

-- Larger scale. Itsy-bitsy patterns seem so passe. Some motifs, such as tropical birds and palms, now are larger than life, especially on bedding and towels. Look for really fun beach towels with artlike photography and drawings.

-- Explosive images. Uber-huge blooms, like poppies, are splashed on bed linens. Digital photos are being scanned and printed on everything from T-shirts and bags to pillows, bedding and fabric.

-- Incorporating art. Paintings and drawings are adding artistry to textile design. In addition to photography, original artwork is being sourced, lending a whole new dimension -- beauty as well as grit.

-- More open backgrounds. Less crowding really makes the designs pop, especially in pillows with single image objects.

-- Layering. For some companies, such as the Spanish company Desigual or the Netherlands' Melli Mello, exuberant pattern is the signature, and they don't stop at just one.

-- Embroidery and patchwork. In addition to the real thing, there's the trompe l'oeil variety, as in bedding from Esprit, which teams both in a convincing way.

Textile manufacturers are paying attention to those Pinterest boards and even Instagram. One of the keys to the spring line of Robert Allen is filtered color -- a kind of washed look. Christy Almond, the company's vice president, says that the more delicate iterations of colors reminded her of what people are doing on Instagram.

"This 'filtered' effect creates hues that are relevant in both fashions and interiors," says Almond.

Concurrent is a trend for the threadbare look so popular in rugs, especially effective in velvet because of its natural nap.

For the most part, there's a desire to tweak or modernize familiar, traditional patterns. Toile, for example, is captivating a new audience because of shifts in motifs from less 18th century, allover pale pastoral themes to more vibrant colors with unexpected combinations and bigger, looser scale.

And companies with archives are digging deep to reintroduce or draw inspiration. At Pierre Frey, fashion-turned-interior and furniture designer Vincent Darre, peeked into 1940s and 1950s archives. Three designs were reissued -- and they look every bit as current today. He reimagined three others in response.

Some motifs, in particular, seem to be resonating. Sea creatures will be huge. Coral designs on pillows or plates are almost perennial favorites, especially in coastal areas, but this year's crop follows the big trend as well as expanding under-the-sea life. Feathers and hints of southwest style also are starting to emerge. Eastern influences are making inroads, especially dragon motifs and pagodas.

At the Heimtextil show's Forum, a provocative space putting forth trends for 2014-2015, one look into the future offered this compelling concept: reprogramming bacteria and plants to manufacture materials -- a biologically enhanced alternative for future sustainable living.

One picture may be worth a thousand words, but many designers will agree that textiles can truly be transformative.

Sources

-- Alessandra Branca for F. Schumacher, 800-523-1200, www.fschumacher.com

-- Ankasa Legacy, Beacon Hill, 800-333-3777, www.beaconhilldesign.com

-- Black Edition, Romo, 800-338-2783, www.romousa.com

-- Christian Fischbacher, (Switzerland) +41 (0) 71 314 66 66, www.fischbacher.com

-- Manuel Canovas, through Cowtan & Tout, 212-647-6900, www.cowtan.com

-- Desigual USA, 855-374-5872, www.desigual.com/en

-- Esprit US, 212-401-1122, www.esprit.com

-- Essenza, www.essenza.com; some of the company's bedding is available through Kohl's, 855-564-5705, www.kohls.com

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

-- Melli Mello, new company, website under development; check out its Facebook page

-- Move collection from Frottana, www.moeve.com for online shop

-- Sanderson, 212-319-7220, www.sanderson-uk.com

-- Studio Kelkka, info@studiokelkka.com, www.studiokelkka.com

-- Lorna Syson, hello@lornasyson.co.uk, www.lornasyson.co.uk

-- Zoffany, through Sanderson, 212-319-7220, www.sanderson-uk.com

SIDEBAR

'WORKING' FABRICS WELCOME WARMER DAYS WITH COLOR

Bedding patterns and kitchen textiles, such as towels and aprons, have been positively exuberant the last couple of years, especially come spring and summer. That's when the bright colors emerge -- just like inland landscapes dulled by winter.

Expect that trend to blossom, in part due to the advent of digital technology in fabrics. Images have never looked so real -- whether it's a flower, wide-plank wood flooring, shelves full of suitcases or postcards from Provence. The large, narrow format of beach towels -- kind of like a roll of wallpaper -- really lends itself well to imaginative printings.

Even monochromatic images look better because of the nuances of shading now possible. The sorbetlike pastels -- pinks, tangerines, apple, lime and yellow, as well as a range of blues seem particularly fresh at this time of year.

But overall, an explosion of color is welcome, and when we see them in tandem -- hot pink, magenta, orange or indigo, turquoise and lime -- it makes us practically giddy!

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

Fireplaces more often than not have bragging rights in home real estate listings. Who doesn't love the flicker of flames and the warmth that the hearth imparts?

Sometimes elegant, sometimes architectural, often romantic, a fireplace -- with a handsome mantel or as part of a whole wall -- is a focal point in interiors. It's a magnet for intimate seating, with sofa, chairs, ottomans and coffee tables likely to gather around.

These days, fireplaces can be installed in nearly every room of the house, as well as outdoors, largely thanks to direct-vent gas technology, which actually was introduced by manufacturer Heat & Glo in 1987. Where wood-burning fireplaces are tethered to chimneys, direct vent requires a double layer pipe (to bring direct air from the outside and expel combusted air) that can be run virtually anywhere. And today, the "log" choices are much more realistic than early models.

But another seismic shift has been the advent of what the hearth industry calls the linear fireplace.

By now you've probably seen it in magazines, and it's a popular style at designer showhouses all over the country. Like the move from a 4:3 to 16:9 format in TVs, this propane or natural gas-fired fireplace is long and lean. The rectangular insert is set into a wall, framed like a piece of art, or frameless. Often the flames themselves create a dancing, mesmerizing pattern. The bed sometimes is dressed with sparkling glass, pebbles or beachy stones, depending on the ambience you prefer.

As interiors have been trending to more modern, clean styles, it's no surprise that this look is attractive.

"Modern styling is becoming more mainstream," says Becky Scribner, marketing director for Heat & Glo. "We work with a lot of builders, and they're starting to put in linear gas fireplaces instead of wood-burning."

An easier installation than a full masonry wood-burning fireplace adds to the appeal.

Another category is the vent-free fireplace, which, is said to be nearly 100 percent energy-efficient. As it requires only a hole cut into a wall, with no vent kits, vent-free fireplaces are up to 75 percent less expensive to install (starting at around $2,500, depending on style, mantel choice, etc.)

However, since these rely on indoor air for combustion, there is some debate about indoor air quality. Vent-free fireplaces are not approved for installation in Canada and are restricted in some parts of the U.S., such as California, so be sure to check local codes. Needless to say, these do require installation by a gas or plumbing contractor, but most manufacturers will tell you that with proper installation, there shouldn't be any problems.

In addition to gas models, bioethanol technology also has been touted for its environmental friendliness because it burns clean with no smoke, sparks or fuss. From handcrafted freestanding pieces of "fire" furniture to grates for traditional fireplace conversion to firebox inserts for custom built-in designs, companies such as EcoSmart offer options fueled by bioethanol, a renewable liquid fuel whose combustion produces heat, steam and carbon dioxide. EcoSmart ethanol-burning models are priced from $500 to $10,000, depending on style.

Stunning installations include feature walls -- where the linear fireplace takes center stage -- asymmetrical placements or teamings with high-definition TVs. Their shapes can even be round and two-sided, just like some options with aquariums.

Many people with traditional wood-burning fireplaces are changing over to new technology for more efficiency and ease. Some, who don't want to sacrifice real wood logs, combine with gas, so there's an option of working both ways (gas-assisted wood burning).

While remote controls have been available, Heat & Glo is actually introducing a Wi-Fi enabled gas fireplace controlled app at the Building Show in Las Vegas in early February. Now you can warm spaces before coming home as well as check to make sure the fireplace was turned off before you left. In addition, there are some first-to-market safety features, including a child lock and hot glass indicators.

More ultramodern styles are on the docket as well, including Heat & Glo's new model called REVO -- a slender, 7-inch-deep profile that comes in square, horizontal and vertical shapes that can be hung on the wall like art. It features the company's patented razor burner, which produces a particular pattern and a reflected glass interior. Multicolor LED accent lighting also is available.

Similarly, a stylish vent-free model from Napoleon features a torch flame design with porcelain reflective radiant panels. Shown on its website (www.napoleonfireplaces.com) in a contemporary bath, its burner comes with decorative glass embers. Some safety features include an energy-saving "no pilot" gas valve control system that automatically shuts off the supply. Accent lights to mount underneath and above are optional.

If an inherited traditional mantel seems old-fashioned -- say, a dark wood or turn-of-the-century oak that is just not your style -- you can change the finish or paint it, as well as visually lighten up the surround, with tile or stone. Where brick walls may date a fireplace, again, an update with paint or even a new stone or stone veneer face will do wonders.

Chicago designer John Wiltgen says he has enjoyed playing with fireplace design for more than 30 years, and has retrofitted many existing fireboxes, combining antiques with new technology.

"We consider fireplaces a pivotal element of design, says Wiltgen. "They can be stylish examples of one-of-a-kind functional art and architecture."

A few years back, Eldorado Stone, which manufacturers stone-lookalike materials for cladding, introduced a series of composite mantels that have the heft, scale and look of stone without the weight and cost (prices start at about $1,500). They come in a range of styles, including some beautifully classical profiles as well as more clean-lined designs with mitered corners. They'll stand out on a plain or textured stone wall.

One of Eldorado Stone's newest mantels is an elegant hand finished surround called the Dylan. It's composed of real limestone aggregates and hand-finished in a four-step process that makes each piece one-of-a-kind. It's a crisp design that easily transitions between traditional and modern decor.

"There's been a growing trend toward contemporary living spaces," says Brent Spann, vice president of marketing for Eldorado Stone. "With its modern lines and artfully beveled edges, (the Dylan) is ideal for the types of fireplaces that grace contemporary homes, high-rise apartments, condos, lofts and bungalows."

Tile offers still another option not only for surrounds, but also for dressing fireboxes. Motawi Tileworks, a boutique artisanal company based in Ann Arbor, Mich., shows a variety of examples for tile mantels as well as tall feature walls. All of their tiles are done by hand --trimming, sanding, dipping and glazing -- with each piece handled 28 times.

There's been a tremendous uptick in fire pits in outdoor rooms, but the flexibility of some of the new fireplace designs has ignited interest -- especially linear burners, which are being installed on tables.

"Outdoor fireplaces are growing like wildfire," says Scribner -- pun intended.

No matter which style you choose, you can create a welcoming gathering spot that offers visual warmth as well as real welcome heat when it's cold outside.

Sources

-- EcoSmart Fireplaces, 888-577-3925, www.ecosmartfire.com

-- Eldorado Stone, 800-925-1491, www.eldoradostone.com

-- Michael Fullen Design Group, 949-715-1633, www.michaelfullen.com

-- HearthCabinet, 212-242-1485, www.hearthcabinet.com

-- Heat & Glo, 888-427-3973, www.heatnglo.com

-- Lennox Hearth Products, 800-655-2008, www.lennoxhearthproducts.com

-- Motawi Tileworks, 734-213-0017, www.motawi.com

-- Napoleon Fireplaces, 705-721-1214, www.napoleonfireplaces.com

-- Spark Modern Fires, 866-938-3846, www.sparkfires.com

-- Regency Fireplace Products, 604-946-5155, www.regency-fire.com

-- John Robert Wiltgen Design, 312-744-1151, www.jrwdesign.com

-- Felicia Zwebner, 917-868-8994, www.feliciazwebner.com

-- Wittus Inc., 914-764-5679, www.wittus.com

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)