Outdoor
Living
Enjoying Florida’s Great Outdoors
In
all of South Florida, indoor
design melding with outdoor
living is much more than a
fashion statement. For some time
now, the move to make the most
of fantastic year-round conditions
has been gaining ground.
On
the home front, the outdoors is indoors and vice
versa. Architects and builders
replace sun parlors and sliding
doors with zero pocketing expanses
of glass that allow interior rooms
to become one with nature. Estate
homes are built with tropical
lagoon-like pools as focal points to
be seen from one’s first step
through the front door. Courtyard
villas enjoy open-air views on all
sides. High-rise residences feature
spacious, wrap-around balconies. The emphasis is on expanding the
boundaries of the home and the
goal is harmony.
“We
see a surge in the desire to gather family and friends around the
home,” says Jon Rubinstein, vice
president, Robb & Stucky. “People
want their al fresco experiences to
be presented in the same fashion
as their beautiful interiors.”
Certainly, Robb & Stucky
is no latecomer to the party. From outfitting the summer estates of Thomas
Edison
and Henry Ford in 1915, to finishing the area’s finest
residences today, the company has long been a player in
the open-air evolution.
Outdoor
furniture has undergone its own metamorphosis since the days of aluminum-and-webbing
folding lawn chairs that accompanied every trip to the 4th of July fireworks.
Today’s outdoor furniture takes on
fresh style, while mimicking the sleek lines and
silhouettes of yesteryear. Benches, chairs and chaise
lounges give outdoor rooms comfortable sophistication.
As
testament to the change in attitude, Robb & Stucky
opened Casual Living • Outdoor in Bonita Springs to
celebrate all of the primary gathering places of the
home. A demonstration kitchen, featuring Wood-Mode®
cabinetry, showcases kitchens in a spacious setting that
displays the latest in outdoor furniture.
The
showroom, designed as a concept store to be emulated at new strategic
metropolitan locations, is a
success. Sales and design professionals focus on lifestyle,
with particular emphasis on style.
“Today’s
state-of-the-art synthetic fabrics are available in colors and designs
that will transform any space,”
explains Michael Hayes, general manager. “We’re really
here to help people create the outdoor rooms that they will live in most,
with pieces designed to withstand
the elements.”
To be sure, today’s
solution-dyed fabrics on deep-seated chairs and comfortable sofas are
made to be zipped off and washed, with bleach if necessary. The latest
vinyl
materials are woven to look like rattan. Aluminum is
painted with finishes emulating wood and bamboo.
Many of these pieces are ideal for covered areas, where a sofa, love
seat and end tables facing a fireplace
are upscale enough to move indoors.
With
myriad fabric patterns and colors to choose from, many selections are
special orders. Robb & Stucky professionals
work closely with interior designers
as well as homeowners to help clients make the
proper choices.
Subtle
techniques are used to make transitions seamless. More and more, dining
tables feature stone tops. Chandelier lighting overhead sets the mood
for the
special al fresco feast. Flooring between interior family
rooms and outdoor rooms is often identical.Table lamps, synthetic carpets,
and wall art are finishing touches
that make exteriors look like home. Plastic, which
would never be found indoors, is no longer part of the
patio repertoire.
Seamless
transitions mandate that palms, bromeliads and orchids, as well as the
soothing sound of fountains,
be present in both areas. Heliconias and gingers provide
brilliant splashes of color to an outdoor oasis, and any carefully-sited
ornamental further
promotes the
atmosphere.
“Our
aim is to highlight not just the
concept of home
and family, but how
these areas are so
interrelated in
Florida,” says Hayes. “People used to
match the color of
the outdoor furniture
with the shade of
the tile around
the pool. We’re
recommending
instead that people
blend the color and
feel of the interior
décor with their
outdoor living
rooms.”
The
Florida room, once enclosed by
glass walls, a screen
cage or roof, is just
as likely now to be
fully outdoors. The
garden room is
defined by chairs,
chaises and benches
in sturdy designs
of wood, metal or
synthetic.
Focal
points become important
design features. A
chaise for two,
positioned poolside with umbrella and table, leads the
eye into a fresh vignette.
While European and Mediterranean décor
will always blend with our region’s architecture, the latest design
wave is contemporary with an eclectic bent. Several
well-respected manufacturers feature clean-lined
aluminum chairs and benches with teak or wicker trim.
“We’ll
always have the mainstays like teak, all-weather wicker and chairs that
swivel and rock,” explains
Rubinstein. “Our clients expect contemporary
interpretations of classic design, but they’re usually
surprised to see so many outdoor pieces normally
associated with interior décor.”
Taking
a plunge into outdoor design first involves testing the waters. Robb & Stucky
Patio stores often feature striking custom pieces created to tantalize… and
inspire.
The
luxury lounging bed or exotic cabana is often more of a conversation
piece than a top-seller, as
customer feedback is just as important as a sale.
“Being
at the forefront of cutting-edge design entails taking that extra step
to see what our clients want,” says Rubinstein.
“With
our help, interior designers and homeowners know they can brave the elements
with style”.
Robb & Stucky
Patio Showrooms:
ROBB & STUCKY PATIO
7501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
941 992-8900
ROBB & STUCKY PATIO
2840 Tamiami Trail North, Naples
239 434-0805
ROBB & STUCKY CASUAL LIVING • OUTDOOR
26501 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs
239 390-2222
ROBB & STUCKY PATIO
14380 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers
239 415-0800
www.RobbStucky.com
Photography courtesy of Robb & Stucky
Written by Sam Moser
