The Good Old Summertime
Design Within Reach hits the cutting edge with the Tucci Razor Shade Platform designed by Dougan Clarke. The asymmetrical design is easily adjusted to allow constant protection from the sun’s rays, no matter the time of day. The frame and base are made of industrial-strength materials to resist the elements. Also available in white, silver and green. In contrast to the sharp lines of the Razor, DWR’s Jellyfish Chair and Table/Ottoman mix curved edges with mod design. Architect Wiel Artes designed this indoor/outdoor “modern reclining lounger” in polyethylene with a gently shaped base to give it a relaxing, subtle movement. Both pieces are also available in white, light gray and green. Visit www.dwr.com.
The perfect outdoor tête-à-tête, Veneman’s Cortez Double Chaise combines comfort and style. Deep cushions are constructed of a fast-drying outdoor foam; the body is synthetic weave over a powder-coated aluminum frame. With back and leg sections that lift to three different heights, it suits all shapes and sizes of sun worshipers. Visit www.venemanfurniture.com.
The Peninsula Collection from Sutherland offers classic, casual elegance in 25 sturdy teak and textured powder-coated aluminum pieces designed by Terry Hunziker. A cozy chaise and roomy chairs are upholstered in Perennials outdoor fabrics to withstand water and sun, and are shown with the crossbar coffee table. Visit www.sutherlandfurniture.com.
An airy perforated metal lantern from West Elm is the perfect summery accent to your garden or patio. Available in two sizes, 13.5 or 20 inches high, the white lanterns add a crisp, Mediterranean vibe to any backyard celebration. Visit www.westelm.com.
On the Bookshelf
In Residence presents a monograph of work completed by Bethesda, Maryland-based architect Mark McInturff, FAIA, over the past eight years. The book documents 27 structures—most of which are located in DC, Maryland and Virginia—that reveal the architect’s masterful approach to creating homes that are modern, clean-lined and full of light. Images Publishing, Mulgrave, Australia, 2007; $49.50.
The latest offering from landscape expert Leslie Geddes-Brown, The Walled Garden covers trends in landscapes ranging from Oriental palace gardens and French herb nurseries to modern green roofs and terraced earthworks. Beautiful photography and rich text provide an insightful look at enclosed gardens across centuries and continents. Merrell Publishers, London, England, October 2007; $49.95.
Twenty residences from across U.S. are profiled by Kathryn Masson and photographed by Paul Rocheleau in Hunt Country Style. This beautiful book shows how designers and homeowners have adapted the English country aesthetic to life in the American landscape. Rizzoli, New York, NY, April 2008; $55.
Eco Ideas: Green Threads
There are many ways to make fabric more environmentally sound. Look for products made from renewable resources, such as cotton, wool and bamboo. Keep an eye out for items labeled organic and nontoxic, and those finished with natural dyes. Also consider fabric made from recycled content. Several leading textile designers have made their names promoting natural, recycled and otherwise eco-conscious threads for the home, and many high-end manufacturers have joined the brigade:
• Twill Textiles’ Climatex Lifecycle Home Collection, inspired by traditional hand weaves, is made from a blend of pesticide-residue-free wool and organically grown ramie, making it durable and breathable as well as environmentally safe. The fabrics are produced so that all of the components and byproducts are ecological and health-safe. www.twilltextiles.com.
• Eco-Fabrics from DuraleeContract are Cradle to Cradle Gold to meet standards for human and environmental health and safety. The fabric is produced in a continual circle—manufacture, reuse and recovery—and mills must meet qualifications of resource and social responsibility. www.duraleecontract.com.
• Mod Green Pod’s earth-friendly fabrics are a stylishly-modern way to go green, with fun designs hand-silk-screened with water-based paint on organic upholstery-weight cotton—harvested and milled without the used of harmful chemicals. The complementary wallpaper to the new Jubilee design recently made it big in the Greenhouse display at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. www.modgreenpod.com.
• The Kravet Green Collection combines recycled post-consumer and post-industrial fibers into a 100-percent recycled polyester. Water-based products and environmentally approved dyes are used so that there are no added chemicals. At the end of their lifespan, fabrics are once again recyclable. www.kravetgreen.com.