Outdoor Furniture Preview: New Looks for 2012

Q: What is the 2012 Color of the Year?

A: Tangerine Tango

You’re going to be seeing brighter, lighter colors in outdoor furniture this season. Often, those bright colors will be paired with graphite gray or black frames that’ll make your furniture really pop.

We’ve spent the last two weeks redecorating all five Rich’s showrooms, and we are so excited about this season’s lineup of outdoor furniture colors, styles, and materials. Today, you’re going to get a sneak peek so you can begin planning your special order to furnish your patio, sun room, vacation home, or boat.

First, back to Tangerine Tango (which we call “Papaya” at Rich’s). Our Papaya cushions make a terrific accent to either black or cream-colored furnishings.

And then there’s hot pink. We’ve ordered hot pink patio umbrellas that will add a splashy accent to black furniture.


Black

Speaking of black furniture, you’ll want to check out the Porte Collection from Ebel.  One of our customers is outfitting his rooftop garden with the Porte collection, constructed of woven high-grade vinyl (synthetic wicker).

Our favorite in this contemporary collection is the new triangular glass top tables (which we call tri-top).

Pictured below are a tri-top bar table and stools.


Graphite

Grays, charcoals, and blacks are going to be hugely popular this season. Here’s a sample from the Palazzo Collection by OW Lee. Using Grecian style as its inspiration, this wrought iron love seat has a graphite frame, complemented with charcoal and gray striped cushions.

Imagine this 2-seat sofa, a couple of club chairs, and a swivel rocker clustered around a fire pit with a black top and black tumbled fire glass. Perfection.

Woven + Other Textures = Win-Win

Another trend this season is mixing textures. Pictured below is an aluminum dining table that looks just like weathered teak. The only way to tell the difference is to get within an inch or two of the table and “knock on wood” (or, in this case, aluminum). It’s fantastic, and much more durable than teak in our moist climate.


The thick weave in these synthetic wicker dining chairs promises to be a big hit this year. Popular colors in this weave are Willow (a lighter gray) and Driftwood, a grayish/taupe that is another one of Pantone’s top colors for 2012.

Curves are “In”

There are so many configurations you can accomplish with woven furnishings: semi-circles, full circles, serpentines – you name it. No matter what size or shape your space, chances are, you can create a configuration that’s a perfect fit.