This year there are some great new designs in patio furnishings that will help you do just that and most are designed to be weather resistant – even here in Calgary where you can expect golf ball sized hail in August. Khrys Sheridan, furnishings manager at Chintz and Co. absolutely raves about  resin coated woven rattan, which has become very popular over the past few years. It is crafted from polypropylene latex and is resistant to mold, mildew, splintering and chipping. It cleans up easily with mild soap and water and it is graded for –40 to plus 40. “ You can practically jump on it without fear of it breaking or snapping and you don’t have to worry about storing it in your garage over the winter; it can be left outside,” chimes Sheridan.

Aluminium and steel are also good choices for the Calgary climate as they are highly durable, but unless they are coated you may experience corrosion issues.  Emu Designs out of Italy, which can be found exclusively at Koolhaus Designs on 11th Ave SW, uses a patented E-Coating process on the steel that makes it highly resistant to corrosion.

According to Marie Svindt, owner of Patioline, a teak furnishings boutique, natural wood is a classic and for Calgary’s harsh climate teak is the wood of choice. “This hardwood handles climate changes beautifully and as long as it has been kiln dried to a moisture content of about fifteen per cent it will last 50 years or longer.” Untreated it weathers to a rustic grey patina or  it can be sealed or oiled at least once per year to maintain its blonde and amber tones.  “People who buy teak fall in love with it. You have teak for life and after many generations it goes back to the planet where it came from,” says Svindt.

If you are on a budget, a less expensive wood option is the Vietnamese tropical hardwood Balau. Left untreated it as well will weather to a silver grey but oiling three to four times a year is highly recommended. “Every year it gets more and more popular,” says Brad Watson, manager at Sunnyside Greenhouse. “It is a great alternative to teak because it doesn’t have the price tag.”

As for what is hot in furnishing styles this year, according to Stacy Kyle at Koolhaus the outside garden and patio area has really become an extension of the indoors and that this is really reflected in the materials and look of the furniture.

“The trend this year in outside furnishings is very modern and sleek,” says Kyle.  Koolhaus carries a variety of stylish furnishings – everything from resin- rattan to sleek European styles that incorporate textaline, a polyester mesh  coated with PVC.   For those looking for a splash of colour Axa chairs will add punch to any area of the garden.  They are slim and sleek and come in bright blue, hot pink, lime green and tangerine orange.

The store also offers a modern twist to the classic teak with the Equinox line by Barlow Tyrie out of England. These designs mix teak with stainless steel. Equinox loungers are priced at around $1800.

Kyle also notes that with the condo market being so hot, space can be at a premium.  “We offer lots of smaller scale items like bistro tables and extensions tables as well as cantilevered designer patio umbrellas by Tucci.”  The umbrellas are pricey – they start at $1495 but they are great for small spaces and definitely are something out of the ordinary. “What you find in our store you won’t be seeing anywhere else – we are really known for our exclusivity and high quality.”
Khyrs Sheridan at Chintz and Co. finds that indoor living and entertaining has become more casual and this trend has moved to the outdoors.  “This year people are looking for a more casual setting. They are buying more outdoor sofas, love seats and big ottomans that they are using as coffee tables.”  He also notes that coloured garden lanterns are really big this year.  As for colours – he notes that white is always a classic and this year turquoise is huge. “It is funky and fun and appeals to the younger market.”  He recommends accessorizing with toss cushions that can be changed every year to give a new look. Cushions are made in house from a selection of over 35 in stock colours or over 1000 on special order. Check out chintz.com.

Brad Watson concurs that casual is big this year. “We brought in a wicker resin weave set with thick yellow cushions that included an outdoor sofa, love seat, club chair, coffee table cushions and ottoman.  It sold out before the season even started.”

Sunnyside sells most patio furnishings as sets and  offers a reduced price to the customer if they buy a set as is.  Watson cites the stores number one seller as the Santa Clara which includes a 50 inch round smoked glass table with six chairs, two ottomans, one side table, an umbrella and umbrella stand – all for $597.

Watson notes that vibrant colours are huge this year and has practically sold out of its inventory of bright blue, oranges, and yellow cushions sourced the Netherlands. “We took a chance. Colour is really big down east, but we weren’t sure if Calgary was ready for it.”

One thing is for sure and that is that Calgarians love to entertain. Marie Svindt notes that outdoor tables and chairs are really big this year. “We have this very intriguing revolving table that morphs from a four-sided table to an eight-sided table allowing you to seat four more people.”  Patioline also carries an assortment of single and double extension tables, benches, chaise lounges and Adirondack chairs. Prices are mid range and you can expect to pay  $1200 for a lounge chair.

Her advice when buying patio furniture: “Try out the furniture before you buy it.  I like it when people come to our store and try the chairs and see how they fold and how they feel.” She says that some of her customers come and spend hours just trying everything out, but when they’re finished they know exactly what they want.  CL