Style

Redefining outdoor living

 

2011AprMay_Outdoors_LaJollaDaybed

The princess and the pea

Whether it’s reading a book, toasting with friends or soaking up some vitamin D, why not lounge in elegant fashion on the La Jolla Daybed. It’s made of aluminum and weatherproof wicker. The plush poly-filled, Sunbrella-covered cushions will appease even the most sensitive of sleepers. $1,370; Restoration Hardware; cushions sold separately for $780

No grown-ups allowed

The Kiddo Cabana is the next generation’s play house. The prefab structure is eco and kid friendly, made of sustainably harvested FSC-certified wood and stained with natural oils. It’s decked out with chalk paint walls, a mounted paper-roll art station and a translucent roof — if not for the 4-foot-tall entry, kids of all ages would be vying to play in this house. $1,500; moderncabana.com

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2011AprMay_Outdoors_MelamineDinnerPlates

 

Portlandia picnic

The city with a hip vernacular and a verdant landscape is inspiring creative kinds everywhere including designer Thomas Paul, whose melamine dinner plates will make a splash at the picnic table or on the back patio. $40 for a set of four dinner plates; velocityartanddesign.com


2011AprMay_Outdoors_AmiciBrickOven

Bricks and Bread

Impress your dinner guests and do right by your Italian grandmother with the Amici Brick Oven. Designed by chef Mario Batali, the handmade oven is ideal for pizzas, breads, smoking meats and more. The sleek metal exterior keeps the oven cool to the touch and a heavy iron door maintains cooking temperatures. $3,475; Sur La Table

Starry night

Light up your outdoor space in a retro style with vintage light strings. They’re made of all-weather wiring and have a clear bulb that will illuminate the night sky. $179; Restoration Hardware

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2011AprMay_Outdoors_WoollyPockets

Pocket plants

Urban farmers rejoice. Made completely of recycled materials, Woolly Pockets are soft-sided modular planters designed for those with limited green space. Create an urban oasis on a back porch, or even a fire escape. $199 for Meadow, shown here; woollypocket.com

Fireside chat

Who doesn’t look good in the light of a fireside glow? Extend the hours of those balmy summer nights around the Cast Iron Fire Bowl. Made with handles for easy portability. $375 without the cook top; Design Within Reach

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2011AprMay_Outdoors_MobileOutdoorKitchen

Cook light

From London designer Nina Tolstrup comes the Mobile Outdoor Kitchen. Designed for you to make, it’s DIY meets streamlined-style with a gas cook hub, bucket sink, chopping board and storage space. Best of all, it’s free. Download plans at Studiomama.com.

Bold seating

Your seat never looked so good or so colorful thanks to the Pantone Folding Chair. Each one is made of powder-coated steel and has a glossy vinyl cushion that shows off the bold swatches from the iconic color house. $63; yoox.com

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2011AprMay_Outdoors_PalmettoAllWeatherWickerDaybed

Sleeping beauty

Lounging outdoors is truly dreamy between the sheets of the Palmetto All-Weather Wicker Daybed. The lightweight aluminum frame is covered in a synthetic wickerlike material with weather-resistant polyester panels that can be tied back to let the sun shine in or draped for privacy during those coveted midday naps. $1,999; potterybarn.com

Made in the shade

Stay cool under the expanse of the Madison Umbrella. Its bold marigold color and organic patterned fabric is from Finnish design house Marimekko. $179.95; Crate and Barrel

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2011AprMay_Outdoors_EvaSoloTableGrill

Dining out

Grill Yakitori skewers, tapas or beef sliders just about anywhere with the Eva Solo Table Grill. The handheld, Danish-designed grill uses charcoal and is made of fireproof porcelain with a stainless steel handle for easy transport. $330; unicahome.com

Top chef

The EVO Outdoor kitchen kit, designed by Oregon-based company Evo,  is made to fit within your own backyard. It’s equipped with everything needed for successful outdoor cooking including Evo’s signature circular flattop gas-fired grill, a sink and ample cabinetry space available in a teak wood or stainless steel finish. $3,195; evoamerica.com

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