Patio Furniture

From the 19th century until the Second World War, porches were an integral part of the exterior of most American homes. They were often a place for families and friends to gather to relax and indulge in stimulating conversation, particularly after sharing a great meal. The focal point of many porches was a porch swing that added a touch of casualness to the immediate environment.

The proverbial porch swing was always a cherished a spot for lovers to cuddle, a refuge for self-reflection, a place to curled up next to grandpa, as he swayed back and forth telling that same story that sound as fresh as the first time you heard it.

In recent years, the porch has been making a come back and the porch swing is once again becoming a popular destination point for families who are spending more time at home and enjoying the comfort of their outdoor living spaces. Not only are porch swings appearing on covered porches, but different versions of the porch swing can be found suspended from a tree in the yard, or as a stand alone piece of furniture on the patio, deck or lawn.

Variations of Porch Swings:
At one time a porch swing was made from two types of material– wicker and wood. Wooden swings were composed of cedar, oak, pine, popular or teak. Today, you can buy a porch swing made of resin, aluminum, wrought iron, steel and poly-wood,

There is a porch swing to satisfy any taste or preference. Below are several variations:

• Classic Porch Swing - You can buy this porch swings in 4 to 5 foot lengths; the large curved seat, high back and large arms provides comfort and fits with any porch, patio, deck or yard.

• Yard Swing – This porch swing is naturally cooling, comfortable and is versatile enough to be enjoyed in your yard, garden, or even on the porch. Your comfort factor is greatly enhanced by adding a canopy that will protect you from the elements- sun, wind, and rain beating down on you.

Yard swings are typically a-frame construction and are composed of a variety of materials – wood, aluminum, and heavy-duty steel. For added comfort many people buy swings with cushioned seats. The spun polyester, and other outdoor friendly materials make them resistant to the elements and easy to maintain.
• Outdoor Glider - Outdoor gliders have a relaxing swaying motion much like a porch swing and are often used as an accent piece on the lawn, porch, patio, or in the garage. Gliders can be very comfortable and can be purchased in a variety of different styles. One of the main features of a glider that differentiates it from the typically porch swing is its mobility. Lightweight gliders can be moved around the yard to take advantage of the sun or shade at any given time.
Three Popular Porch Swing Styles:

• Adirondack – Adirondack porch swings incorporates the timeless New England style elements of an Adirondack chair with the relaxing motion of a full size porch swing to create an inviting and appealing piece of outdoor furniture for any porch, patio, or garden space.

• Mission – The simple, yet distinct lines and sharp look make this porch swing style an easy fit into just about any setting. With its distinct lines and sharp look, the mission style porch swing is perfect for almost any setting.

• Resin Wicker – This is a durable, sturdy and resilient material. Unlike wood and wicker, it can be left outdoor all year long and can withstand the most dreaded weather conditions. This porch swing is built to last.

As people have moved toward relaxing and entertaining more at home, many are rediscovering the calming influence of a porch swing. Even if you do not have a porch, you can purchase swings supported by their own frames or choose to install them on the deck. There is no reason why you and your family can’t enjoy the soothing rhythm of a porch swing.

Artisan patio furniture makers and other craft people are as endangered a species as the American bald eagle was at one time in this country. Before the Industrial revolution, it was the local artisans, sometimes with an apprentice or two and even family members, who were the dominant producers of goods. They used their hands, small tools and machinery to produced anything from clothing to fine furniture.

Today, times are different, big box stores have all but wiped out local artisans, local merchants who supplied every material need and desire of the average consumer. There is not one industry that has been spared, including the artisan patio furniture sector.

On the surface, the evidence might seem to support the theory that big box stores have a positive affect on the local economy and surrounding area, particularly from the viewpoint of the typical consumer. After all, who will argue with lower prices, a wide range of choices, one-stop shopping, longer store hours, and the perception of more jobs?

And, for local politicians ? who are looking to demonstrate to their constituents that they can attract businesses to the area, increase the amount of taxes flowing into the public coffers and provide jobs for the community ? these behemoths are often put forth as shining examples of their ability to “grow” the business base of their district, city or state.

However, studies are making it increasingly clear that the artisan patio furniture makers, small businesses and local economies in general have fallen prey to the likes of a Wal Mart, Target, or Lowes. Along with driving local artisans and small retailers out of business, there are other concerns, such as distorting local traffic patterns, low wages, little or no benefits, adverse environmental considerations and the dynamics of fitting into the culture of the community where they choose to locate.

Now that “super” retailers have saturated just about every community in the country, there is an ongoing debate about the wisdom of buying products such as artisan patio furniture and other goods from these giant stores or even inviting them into the community to start with. Following are just a few of the concerns:

• Most of the goods sold by these stores, including patio furniture, is purchased from foreign suppliers with lower labor cost that have saturated the U.S. market with products of varying quality and at lower prices.

• The employment impact that big box stores actually have on a community can actually have a negative effect on the local job market. A discussion paper presented by three researchers discovered that for every 1-retail job Wal Mart created, 1.4 jobs were loss because local retailers downsized or close their doors.

• A recent study conducted in the city of Grand Rapids and Kent County revealed that if residents were to redirect just 10 percent of the money they were currently spending in four industries ? pharmacy, grocery, restaurants and banks ?
to local merchants, the economic impact would equate to $140 million in new business, create 1,600 additional jobs, $53 million in new payroll and have an overall impact of $137 million on the local economy.

Although the examples are cited for other industries, similar effects are also felt in the artisan patio furniture business, and other areas as well. Then there is the issue of quality. Rich H, an artisan patio furniture entrepreneur and owner of Midwest Cedar Patio and Deck Furniture in Granite City, Illinois says people tend to go to stores like Home Depot, Sam’s Club or Costco because “they can get a piece at a cheaper price.”

He went on to explain, “ What they fail to realize is if they would spend a little more buying my furniture, it would last them for years to come, limiting the amount (of money) spent over time, along with the hassles associated with shopping.”

Whether you are consumer, an artisan patio furniture maker, a jewelry designer or are engaged in any other type of small business, the fact is that the pie is not big enough for big box and local merchants and artisans. Furthermore, independent studies have conclusively proven that local artisans and merchants do more to enrich communities economically.

How long can you continue to ignore the negative financial affects of big box stores?

Large Manufacturer's of Today's Most Popular Patio Furniture

While there are many purveyors of patio furniture these days, there are three large manufacturers that seem to stand out from the rest of the pack. They are Brown Jordan, Tropitone Furniture Company and Telescope Casual. All three sell their wares in the western states and are showcased by some of the premier stores in the area.

Brown Jordan and Tropitone both manufacture high-end patio furniture, so if you're looking for inexpensive outdoor furniture that will need to be replaced in a season or two, neither of these are going to interest you. However, if you want patio furniture with exceptional quality and design such as you might see in Architectural Digest, either one can easily fill the bill. The third leading manufacturer, Telescope Casual, also creates high-quality furniture that is both stylish and durable, yet more moderately priced.

What makes these companies so popular is not their pricing but rather the exceptional quality of their products along with their customizable designs. With these three companies offering over 30 collections of outdoor furniture each, it's almost impossible not to be able to find something unique that will fit into your outdoor lifestyle.

Having such a wide range of options in design, color, fabric, styles and finishes, each piece becomes a custom order. With around 400 options in fabric alone, 20 different frame finishes, 10 table sizes and 100 umbrellas to choose from, everyone can have the perfect furniture for their environment. So durable that even after years in the sun, wind and rain, they won't fade or mildew, most of this furniture carries a 15-year residential warranty.

Brown Jordan, started in 1945 in Pasadena, was the country's first manufacturer of furniture especially designed for use outdoors and their product upholds their motto of “timeless, essential, elegant” even today. Tropitone uses the highest quality of materials and hand-crafts and hand-finishes each piece they create. Begun in 1903, Telescope Casual, leaders in quality and value, are pioneers in many of today's industry standards.

By visiting the following websites, www.brownjordan.com, www.tropitone.com and www.telescopecasual.com, you'll not only be able to see the many patio furniture collections manufactured by these industry leaders but also find local furniture dealers in your area who sell these quality products.

The US Census Bureau reported that Americans homeowners spent $3.7 Billion dollars on patio and terrace space in 2004. This demand for “outdoor living spaces”, formally known as the patio or garden area, is sure to continue trending upwards, especially with increase concern about the state of the economy. People are now reconsidering the wisdom of making that expenditure on a weekend excursion or the annual summer vacation.

Outdoor living spaces have grown in importance as people are making the choice to entertain more in their homes, traditional folding chairs and collapsible tables simply won’t do. Especially if you enjoy having a consistent flow of family, friends, co-worker and other guests over for the holiday, get togethers, barbecues, parties, and other entertainment.

Even in the current economic environment, homeowners are looking to create outdoor living spaces that are not only an extension of their homes, but are also warm, inviting, comfortable, and has the durability to withstand the elements and the wear and tear of consistent use.

Below are three styles of patio furniture that have been adding comfort, elegance and style to outdoor living spaces for years. Although they are not new trends, they are “tried and true” starting points in your quest to find that “perfect” patio- set.

Teak Patio Furniture

100% teak patio furniture is as good as it get when it comes to furnishing outdoor living spaces. It is the industry standard that all other patio furniture is compared to. It is not only beautiful, but it is very strong, naturally repels water, is insect resistant, and has high oil content.

Teak will not splinter but will develop small cracks, and you will never have to worry about it rotting, or warping. This is patio furniture that you can basically set and forget because it is virtually maintenance –free and can withstand the harshest of weather. A trademark of teak wood is its tendency to change from a honey color to a silver gray color as it ages.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when purchasing teak furniture:
• Authentic teak furniture is made of 100% Class1 teak wood. Anything else is an imposter, including inferior woods like: Eucalyptus, Nyatoah, or Shorea. They are not as durable.
• You should only purchase furniture manufactured from plantation-grown teak.
• If you notice knots, heavy oil is indicative of teak that is not matured; therefore it will not be as durable.
• Proper construction techniques includes stainless steel or brass fittings, solid pieces of wood (no joining), wood heavy composition
• Teak must be kiln try before construction (8-10% moisture content).

If you follow these tips you will not be disappointed, and you can expect patio furniture made of authentic teak to give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

The Look of Indoor Furniture On the Outside

Patio furniture with an indoor look is not new. This is furniture that looks as though it was moved directly from a room inside your house. These pieces are great for making your outdoor living spaces as inviting, and comfortable as any interior room in your home, and don’t have to be expensive.

This style of outdoor furniture has been made possible by technological advances that now allow manufacturers to create a stylish mix of furniture and fabrics that are highly resistant to the elements.

It is now quite common to see outdoor living spaces decked out with furnishing that is as esthetically pleasing, and conducive to comfort as any piece of furniture in a den or family room. Several years ago it would have been unimaginable to have a couch, love seat, or lounge chair, which is cushioned, comfy and weather resistant right there on your patio.

Cinde W. Ingram, who is the managing editor of Casual Living, put it this way: “Twenty years ago they were sort of ‘plastic-y.’ Now there’s many more colors and fabric to choose from and we're seeing outdoor areas as more of an extension of the home."

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron patio furniture comes in a wide variety of designs- ranging from classic to contemporary. For years it has brought a European elegance, romance, quality, and charm to outdoor living spaces that is truly timeless. It is not only decorative, but it’s combination of comfort, strength, and resistance to weather make it perfectly suited for the outdoors environment.

In terms of style, wrought iron patio furniture comes in chaise lounges, loveseats, sofas, or patio swings and lawn benches. Whether you are looking for something for your patio, deck, or lawn, wrought iron is very flexible and can fit with just about anything.

Wrought iron patio furniture can be purchase in a variety of finishes; the aged look is probably the most popular.

Remember, these three styles of patio furniture are just the tip of the iceberg; there are plenty of other patio-sets for furnishing outdoor living spaces. The objective is to enhance the backyard patio, deck, garden of your home with patio furniture or garden pieces that are right for you and at a price you can afford.

One of the best places to find one of a kind, artisan made furniture is local galleries. There are many fine, small galleries that feature local made furniture. The artisans typically work in the surrounding area and operate from small shops and garages.

The business idea of the local gallery is the gallery sells the furniture made by the artisans and the artisans can concentrate on designing and manufacturing of the furniture. This benefits both parties. This relationship also allows the buyer a great selection of fine furniture without having to spend hours of time researching and finding the artisans.

It is quite common that these artisans do not have websites and are only know in the local town. Some are larger, more well known artisans and have galleries of their own. I have found a few really good local galleries. Listed below are a few that I have found so far. This page will be updated with more as I find them.

Seattle Area:

Northwest Fine Woodworking
Vermont Wood Studios