Pure Contemporary, April 30th, 2007
Environmentalists or not, Americans are rekindling their love of outdoors by spending more and more time among grass and trees. That's not to say we're stringing up hammocks and eating grilled hot dogs around the old picnic table. These days, our interest in outdoor living is taking its cues from a considerably more well appointed space--the contemporary home.
What used to be a simple patio with a grill and a few chairs has blossomed into a suite of rooms just like what we see inside. In the last year, 40% of homeowners invested in a major outdoor living project and that number's just starting to grow. The already billion dollar outdoor living market is expected to reach nearly $90 billion by 2010. And as it climbs, so will the variety of products and price points available to help designers and consumers create sunlit kitchens, bathrooms, living and dining rooms right outside their doors.
The products are already piling up, so just for you, we've culled the clutter to find the best contemporary outdoor items available now for every room.
The Kitchen
For the best in outdoor refrigeration we looked to a leader in the indoor variety, Perlick. Its stainless steel beer dispenser with optional refrigerator really makes me rethink my Coleman cooler. This unit has digital temp. controls, up to three beer taps and, being truly modern, is Energy Star rated.
Inside or out, guests gather in the kitchen, and the outdoor Barbecue Island from Cal Spa is a natural party hub. But this configuration (pictured below) is just the tip of the iceberg. Cal Spa offers custom kitchens and ready made options including warming drawers, refrigeration units and plasma TVs.
Viking's outdoor line includes the 24" Built-in Refreshment Center, a little workhorse that includes a sink, faucet, condiment bins, cold "bottle bath" for frosty beverages, cutting board, barware shelf, space for five wine or liquor bottles and of course, a built in bottle opener with cap catch. All this in stainless steel and compact enough for the most intimate of outdoor party spots.
The Spa
At under $500, the Providence Shower (above, right) from Restoration Hardware is one of the few affordable luxuries we found. Made of teak and trimmed with marine-grade brass hardware, this shower's modern nautical look would fit in lakeside or an urban backyard.
We like the laid back aesthetic of Vixen Hill's cabana all the more for the extravagance it hides inside. Home to a cedar lined shower and sauna, this little cabana hideaway can be installed in just one day.
We've shown you the showers and the sauna, but don't forget the hot soak. Our old friends at Jacuzzi are getting into a modern mood with iPod docking stations, full sub woofer sound systems, chromatherapy lighting, and water-resistant outdoor televisions.
The Living Room
Aptly named the Ultimate, the U8000 Island from Cal Spa features a 42" plasma T.V. that rises and falls with the click of a remote. Other options abound, including an entire kitchen, but this standard model, with four marine-grade speakers and a DVD player, makes for an outdoor home theater that rivals most indoor versions. With the right positioning, it becomes a divider between your outdoor rooms, too.
Barlow Tyrie's Dune Daybed by Vladimir Kagan gives sunbathers a snug sitting spot after dark. An integrated table keeps drinks at hand, resin weave construction is easy to clean, and Sunbrella fabric withstands Mother Nature's summer storms.
Just another stunning collection from among Kettal's many, Maia (top left) turns heads with hand woven fibers, aluminum frames and summer bright hues.
The Dining Room
Keep your outdoor dining space cool and comfortable with a Shade Sail from Coolaroo. Made to hang when and where you want, these shade makers come in a variety of bright colors, all in commercial grade, UV protected knitted fabrics that wont change with the weather. Basically, it's a modern awning, without the commitment. Get your info at Coolaroo, but for great deals, pick these sails up through Overstock.
The slatted teak top and cool blue ceramic base of Gervasoni Spa's INOUT36 table make this outdoor dining spot a sculptural garden-side centerpiece. Designed by Paola Navone, this table's artistic look bucks seasonal trends and would make as big a splash indoors.
