Picnicking in style

Outdoor garden spots in Europe are being more extravagantly furnished, and the elements are perfectly matched.

It was a different story altogether when people met up with friends in the park or at the lake. Instead of an elegant sofa, they sat on the floor with a beer crate as a table. These times are long gone.

An increasing number of manufacturers have introduced furniture and accessories to their line-up that turn a sociable get-together in the country into a deluxe picnic. These include casual pouffees and cushions, stylish stools and chairs with a backrest as well as small tables with a handle that makes transporting them totally uncomplicated. Quality and mobility no longer rule each other out in the grill sector either. Even gas models are available as take-anywhere models. And for charcoal fans there are small ovens, inside which the appropriate portion of charcoal glows away on its own, until it is simply poured onto the grill.
 

Joy in nostalgia: The retro trend is taking off

“It looks like Grandma’s.” The more fast-paced the world becomes and the more we are surrounded by high-tech, the more we long for old faithfuls. So, we want a touch of the past within our own four walls. The current retro style doesn’t simply entail copying designs, but combining them with a modern look. The joy in nostalgia is the central focus here.

And so, in the coming season the trend is toward outdoor furniture that quite charmingly casts a look back into the past. The spectrum ranges from kidney-shaped tables and rocking chairs, to modern versions of the classic wrought iron models, to furniture in pastel shades or in the vibrant colors of the 1970s. A further must-have: Hollywood swings and pepped up versions of Grandma’s armchair.
 

Hip and trendy: director’s chairs

Hollywood feeling in the garden. Simply take over the direction yourself — who doesn’t want to do just that? The outdoor furniture manufacturers are now offering exactly the right equipment for this purpose. They are offering an increased selection of “director’s chairs” in very design-oriented, high-class versions. The casual, cool models with a purist structure are often made out of a combination between wood — often teak wood — and fibers like Batyline, and they are available in a variety of colors. Especially practical: Most of these director’s chairs have a foldable frame. This means that they can be easily transported and stored.
 

Color trend: All shades of purple

White and natural and discrete shades such as brown, beige and sand are also a must for the outdoor area. Another color is also livening up the summer living room in 2014/2015: purple. Since the pantone experts voted “Radiant Orchid,” a mixture between fuchsia, violet and pink, as the trend color of 2014, it has been setting the tone in the fashion and cosmetic world.

The lively, vibrant color purple is currently extremely popular for the garden, in both powerful and soft shades. However, the color shouldn’t be mixed with too many other shades. Instead of last season’s flashy color clash trend, this year purple is being combined with white, soft grey or brown shades.
 

Constantly more sophisticated: Individual barbecues

Since the grill sector continues to show dynamic development, more brand manufacturers are moving into this segment. Sizzling on the hot grill is thus becoming a sophisticated affair. For instance, it is now possible to grill on several levels. Whilst the steak is doing nicely on the bottom grill, the vegetables cook in the middle and the bread is kept warm on the top grill. Gourmet kitchen for the outdoor fan. And the visual appearance is on a par with the technical finesse, too. Whether in a cool, chrome look, elegant black matte surface or peppy eye-catchers in purple, green and chili — the items also have to be a feast for the eyes. The smoker, which lends meat and fish a special aroma, is also experiencing a renaissance.

Small, compact portable versions that can be put into operation in a jiffy are also well in trend. They have nothing in common with the classic single-use grill. On the contrary: The models are stylish and chic and convince with numerous practical features.

The accessories are becoming increasingly sophisticated, too. Whether elegant grill utensils, mini hamburger presses, a smoking utensil or a pizza stone — there’s something for every barbecue fan. Especially practical: Aprons with pockets for the tongs, fork and basting brush.
 

Garden tools: Sustainable meets high-tech

In the lawn and garden care sector, mowing robots and tools with battery packs continue to be money-spinners. They convince the consumers with a combination between high performance and user-friendliness. Resource saving is a further central theme. Energy-saving models and the reduction of CO² emissions are also important aspects. In addition, comfort also plays an essential role for both machines and tools.

Moreover, “Digital Gardening” also provides fresh arguments for the trade, thanks to the new technical possibilities. For example, sensors in the flowerbeds recognize automatically what the plants need and pass on the data to the smartphone. Mowing robots can be steered by remote control and garden apps deliver helpful tips on plants and harvesting in an instant.

Because more and more young people enjoy gardening, spades, saws and buckets are being transformed into chic eye-catchers. With bright colors, playful designs or imprinted slogans, they attract plenty of attention to themselves. Even wellington boots, aprons and the like are created to meet the exact needs of the target group.

Article courtesy of spoga+gafa. More information available at www.spogagafa.com