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Need to Relax? Head for the Backyard!
New Outdoor Furnishings Focus on Stress-Relief for Overworked Americans

Agio

HIGH POINT, N.C. (February 26, 2007) – From sleek contemporary chaises to warm, traditional rocking chairs, this season’s outdoor furnishings are designed to offer Americans a much-needed respite from their frantic lifestyles.

Jane Hamley Wells

According to recent studies, Americans work more hours a week and more weeks per year than Europeans. In 2002, the hours U.S. workers put in were about the same as Japanese workers – long considered the world’s workaholics. No wonder beleaguered Americans are continuing to invest in their outdoor living spaces – and stealing whatever time they can to enjoy them.

Gloster

“Our own porches and patios are the most easily accessible ‘de-stressing’ zones we have. They can replenish us in ways no other place or destination can,” states Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. “And the outdoor furniture industry certainly understands our need. They’ve continually raised the bar on comfort and found innovative new options for creating private sanctuaries just outside our back doors.”

Telescope

Top outdoor fabrics for 2007 feature soothing colors. Cushions are softer and deeper than ever. Novel tabletops, finishes and framing materials offer unprecedented ease of maintenance. And new, all-weather accessories add warmth and style.

“If you’re feeling frazzled, create an outdoor oasis you can escape to every day, if you want. The new features that enhance relaxation are available in every budget,” Hirschhaut adds. “With all of the new choices in style, function, color, materials and price, consumers can create an outdoor space that reflects their style and taste – just like the insides of their homes.”

Some additional trends consumers will spot this outdoor season include:

Barlow Tyrie

Designer Labels. Designer names, which have dominated the headlines in the indoor furnishings market for years, are now making their way to the outdoors. For example, Vladimir Kagan, one of the most important contemporary furniture designers of the 21st century, has designed his first outdoor collection.

Lloyd/Flanders

Sophisticated Style. Consumers shopping this spring also will find outdoor furnishings inspired by historic places and styles. The Ladies Association of Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington, has licensed an outdoor furniture collection that will debut this season. The Twickingham Rugby Stadium in England and the scenic Adirondack National Park in New York both served as inspiration for new outdoor furniture lines, as did the British Colonial and Chinese Chippendale styles of the 19th century. And, if all of that sounds just a little too high-brow for your backyard, there’s also “RetroChic” coming to outdoor furniture retailers near you.

Ratana

Colorful Comfort. From soothing blues and greens to earthy bronze and copper, top hues in outdoor furnishings this year bring an element of calm to outdoor settings, even on the dullest of winter days. However, when it comes to coordinating those colors – considering the ever-widening range of fabrics, trims and finishes – the shopping process could become anything but calming. Manufacturers have taken a cue from their indoor upholstery counterparts, however, and begun presenting fabric options in professionally-matched groupings to simplify selection. Fabrics and trims don’t necessarily match, but, instead, complement finishes for a fuller color story.

Dodaz

Materials Mix. A new luxury fabric that combines the opulence of velvet with weather-resistant capabilities gives manufacturers the opportunity to create unprecedented extravagance in high-end outdoor fabrics. Performance fabrics that mimic the look and feel of leather were introduced in 2005. For the 2007 season, these upscale “outdoor leathers” are offered in more colors and textures, including “distressed” leather looks. New aluminum mesh and tabletops that combine high performance fabric with glass are also among the material innovations for this year.

The HammockSource

Rock On. If you want to take the pressure off, a few minutes in a rocker on your porch or patio – or perhaps on your urban balcony – just might do the trick. Studies suggest the humble, low-tech rocker can ease the stress and anxiety brought on by our high pressure, high-tech lives. Although long a staple in outdoor collections, manufacturers have added diversity to designs this season. Whether you want to invoke cherished memories of a grandmother’s front porch or swivel and sway in contemporary style, there’s an outdoor rocker just for you this season.

O.W. Lee

Party On. For many Americans, there’s no better way to unwind on
the weekend than to enjoy a barbecue with family and friends. Backyard entertaining has never been easier, with the wide array of functional products designed to make meal preparation and service a breeze. This season, look for more compact outdoor kitchens, along with multi-function service bars and beverage centers. Also, outdoor manufacturers are trying out the “gathering height” table, with seating for four to six diners. These tables fall midway between the height of a conventional dining table and the height of a bar. Having taken the indoor casual dining market by storm, this trend is on its way to the out-of-doors.

Meadowcraft

Adding comfort to the dining experience, regardless of the table height, are umbrellas with improved UV protection and fireplaces and firepits to spread warmth on cooler evenings.

“Now is a great time for consumers to shop for outdoor furnishings,” says Hirschhaut. “The beauty, variety, and functionality of this year’s introductions means there’s something to help everyone create their own outdoor sanctuary.”

The American Home Furnishings Alliance – located in High Point, N.C. and Washington, D.C. – is the largest association of home furnishings companies in the world and represents more than 250 leading furniture manufacturers and distributors, as well as 225 suppliers to the furniture industry worldwide.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For outdoor furniture care and cleaning tips, as well as an overview of the various materials used in outdoor furniture, click here.

Click the icon to download 300 dpi images of the photos on this page, including photo captions. Please identify each item by the manufacturer’s name that appears in the captions to help your readers find out more about the pieces from a local retailer or on-line. Please do not publish this website address, however, since it is intended for the exclusive use of working journalists. Instead, please refer your readers to www.findyourfurniture.com, AHFA’s website for consumers looking for information about furniture and shopping tips.

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