A COLORFUL OUTLOOK FOR PATIOS; From bright umbrellas to tropical

The outlook for the deck, patio and poolside across the Inland Northwest this summer is tropical. Look for long days full of bright, hot, color, cool shade beneath a wide umbrella and plush, comfortable cushions.

Outdoor spaces aren't littered with folding aluminum chairs and clunky resin pieces anymore. They're outfitted with roomy, den-like furniture covered in vivid, durable, weather-resistant fabric.

Sue Zimmerman, a sales associate at Joel, a locally-owned home accessory and furniture store in downtown Spokane, says today's consumers want style indoors and out. They want more than a hodgepodge of pieces.

"People seem to want traditional style in furnishings, but they want contemporary colors and fabrics," she says. "This year, that means tropical colors."

Joel carries a line of metal outdoor furniture made in the United States by the O.W. Lee Company which has been in business since the 1940s.

Zimmerman says conventional table and chair sets are still popular, but the bar-height table, with chairs or stools is gaining in popularity. "That way if you have a fence around your yard, or high rail around the deck, you can enjoy the view and still have your privacy," Zimmerman says.

Sharon Kyle, of Hartwell's Wicker & Rattan, agrees that color and texture are driving the new outdoor style, as well as a willingness on the part of homeowners to experiment.

"The completely matched look has changed and people are interested in putting together their own combinations," Kyle says. "Instead of an ordinary round table, they may want an oval shape, or a pair of bistro tables." Like Zimmerman, Kyle says the higher pub tables are also popular with her customers.

Another trend is to match the comfort of indoor furniture, outdoors. Consumers aren't interested in flimsy or uncomfortable seating.

"A lot of people are using cushioned seating groups like sofas, loveseats and swivel rockers," Kyle says. "They want to be as relaxed as they can be."

Buyers also want weather-safe cushions and pillows for chairs, benches and chaise lounges. "The new fabrics are completely water resistant," Kyle says. "You just wipe them off with a dry cloth, or tip them up to dry."

Hartwell's carries Lloyd Flanders wicker furniture which features an aluminum frame covered by rattan that has been sealed with a baked-on resin finish. "It is completely safe outdoors, year- round," Kyle says. The Lloyd Flanders Company has been in business since 1906, and is one of the top names in wicker.

Kyle says custom fabrics are available.

Even American classics like the upright Adirondack chair have been given a splash of tropical color.

At Mel's Nursery, Floral and Gifts, on North Division, furniture sales assistant Kris Grace points to a bright red wooden outdoor swing by The Uwharrie Chair Company.

"If you can invest in outdoor furniture, I'd recommend this company," she says. "Their things are solid and they're made to last."

Mel's carries a small selection of Uwharrie pieces, but Grace says they can order any product from the manufacturer, which includes chairs, rocking chairs, benches and tables.

If the backyard budget is tight, Grace has a tip for the do-it- yourself outdoor decorator. "You know, the trend for tropical colors is what is going on now," she says. "But if you can't afford to buy new, or you don't want to invest in expensive pieces knowing the style will change in a few years, just paint grandma's old pieces."

Grace says it doesn't take a lot of time or money to get the hot new look if you start with your tired old metal outdoor furniture or garage sale bargains. "You know, a little paint goes a long way."

SIDEBARS:ACCESSORIZE! If your budget won't stretch to include new furniture for your outdoor space, take a tip from the fashion world: Accessorize. Dress it up To add a punch of tropical color, update cushions or replace your traditional green market umbrella with yellow, red or vivid blue. Set the table with bright paper or plastic plates, cups and napkins. Set the mood with plants Scatter exotic flora from the tropics, planted in colorful containers, around your space. Hanging planters with unusual, cascading plants makes a space feel intimate. Light up Colorful candles and strings of funky lights in island-themed shapes are easy and affordable ways to give your deck or patio a punch of fun and color.TAKING CARE OF YOUR STUFF After you choose the right furniture for your outdoor space, it pays to take care of your investment: Wrought iron, aluminum, and wicker can be cleaned with mild soap and water, and if necessary, scrubbed with a soft brush. To reduce maintenance, protect wicker from extreme heat and cover it or store it during the winter months.RESOURCES Joel 165 S. Post Street, 624-2354 Hartwell's Wicker & Rattan 2610 W. Northwest Boulevard, 324-1996 Mel's Nursery, Floral and Gifts 8800 N. Division, 467-5132 www.shopmels.com Uwharrie Chair Company www.uwharriechair.com Lloyd Flanders wicker www.lloydflanders.com O.W. Lee outdoor furniture www.owlee.com

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