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Give Tarzan a break!
May 15, 2015

Blackbirds, swallows and ducks are delighting us with their sweet song and are busy breeding these days; blossoms of peonies, magnolias and rhododendrons are outshining the most chromatic of fashion tones; while asparagus, strawberries and rhubarb make perfect ingredients when it comes to whipping up a fresh and light cuisine. Now spring is at its most effervescent and soon it will be summer. Life is increasingly happening outside, and we just love to witness nature’s great spectacle or simply turn our faces up to the sun or spend time with friends in the garden or on the patio. We browsed imm cologne and the Salone del Mobile in search of the latest additions to the outdoor range – for reclining, dining or relaxing under the open sky. (mm)

LET’S DO THE TARZAN SWING
“SWINGME” AND “SWINGUS” BY DANIEL POUZET FOR DEDON

If as a kid you always dreamed of swinging from tree to tree like Tarzan or the Marsupilami or simply hanging relaxed from a branch, then this might be your thing. And your dreams have finally come true. Dedon has added two new versions to “SwingRest”, its multi-person lounger designed by Daniel Pouzet. “SwingMe” swings one, “SwingUs” whisks two people through the day or evening. The basket-like aluminum body clad in woven Dedon fiber can be complemented by a sun sail. So: To sit or to swing – that is the question.


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BIG IS BEAUTIFUL
“FAT OUTDOOR” BY PATRICIA URQUIOLA FOR
B&B ITALIA

Patricia Urquiola has made “Fat”, the range she designed in 2007 for B&B Italia, fit for outdoor use. “Fat Outdoor” still boasts the voluminous corpus and remains footless as opposed to footloose, but the backrest has been replaced by a mesh that is pulled over a metal frame, allowing glimpses in and out. Naturally all materials are suitable for outdoor use, including “Bayfit” polyurethane foam, Polyethylene fibers for the mesh and water-repellent Polyester for the cover. “Fat Outdoor” includes a sofa, a comfy chair with two backrests of different heights, as a relax island and a range of poufs in various sizes. Covers are available in four different versions, ranging from fine to rough texture, from monochrome to colorful mélanges.


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UNDERSTATEMENT
“ILLUM” BY MERCKX + MAES FOR TRIBÙ

We all know those roughly woven luxurious loungers, recliners, comfy chairs and chairs made by Tribù. Mind you, the Belgian outdoor specialist also has other items up its sleeve. With “Illum” it is presenting a collection designed by Merckx + Maes for the young generation of customers, which, as the press release informs us, “has a sure sense of style and quality, which is not to say that it has sufficient funds to afford high-grade outdoor furniture”. Light, powder-coated aluminum in white, linen white or wengé brown and a pared-down design make the series (it boasts a chair, recliner and table) into your prestigious al-fresco partner who wishes to practice contemporary understatement. The table comes with an added convenience: In addition to the “ordinary” depth of 98 centimeters it is available in a narrow version of just 71 centimeters.


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STRAIGHT FROM THE PRESS
“STAMPA” BY RONAN AND ERWAN BOUROULLEC
FOR KETTAL

When Ronan und Erwan Bouroullec embarked on their collaboration with Spain’s outdoor furniture specialist Kettal, they swiftly came up with the idea of designing a chair that was both delicate and sturdy. “Stampa” has a closed chalice-shaped seat with tiny punched holes evoking a sense of textiles, the Bouroullecs explain. “Stampa” is fully made of aluminum, the seat, backrest and hydro-shaped legs are held together by an injection-molded ring. The Bouroullec’s outdoor seating formula is available in a perforated or smooth version, with a powder-coated or anodized finish. It remains to be seen if the chair will age beautifully, which is what the brothers hope.


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MOVIE STAR
“STANLEY” BY PHILIPPE STARCK FOR MAGIS

The director’s chair is back! In Milan we spotted it at the Magis booth, bearing the signature of Philippe Starck. It had taken him three years to formulate the “best-ever director’s chair”, the Frenchman confessed in an interview with “Elle Decoration”. Now he and his wife Jasmine want to have a whole flock of them for themselves. And why is it the “best-ever” director’s chair? Now, not only does it come with highly sophisticated technology, it also features exquisite materials such as aluminum for the frame and leather for the backrest and seat. The only question is: What would Billy Wilder or Stanley Kubrick have to say about it?


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EASY DINING
“CASABLANCA” BY GARPA

A promise: Casablanca. Be it the movie or the white city – or simply a white house. Whatever your choice, Garpa’s new collection would no doubt cut a really fine figure in any of the three settings: “Casablanca” is a lounge set consisting of medium-high comfy chairs and a table, which is 65 centimeters tall. A composition of natural-colored polyester cords stretched across a powder-coated aluminum frame with a satin finish, the chairs are supposed to blur the usual boundaries between “eating and relaxing”, as Garpa explains. Could this be the beginning of a wonderful summer friendship?


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GOING THE EXTRA MILE
“PONTSUN” BY DIRK WYNANTS FOR EXTREMIS

With its wooden boards “Pontsun” juts out like a jetty heading way out into the distance of the sea. The new table by Belgium’s garden furniture maker Extremis comes in different lengths between 255 and 325 centimeters, with a depth of 110 centimeters. While the table’s slightly tilted legs add a splash of genius to the piece. Designer Dirk Wynants took his inspiration from Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper. “Pontsun” is available with boards made of iroko wood or, as an alternative to tropical wood, with European “H.O.T Wood”. The frame and legs are made of galvanized or powder-coated steel, the latter option boasting a range of different colors.


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THE BIG WHEEL
“CRADLE” BY HENRIK PEDERSEN FOR GLOSTER

It is said that human beings feel attracted to round shapes and organic spaces, maybe because these inevitably conjure up associations of caves, in other words, of our habitats back when fashion was a bear skin, when there was no built architecture. Now British outdoor specialist Gloster has launched such an outdoor cave for modern man. “Cradle” is a daybed and rests inside two powder-coated aluminum rings held together by teakwood bars. A sun sail, an attachable table, and additional cushions are available as options. The only downside: The bed cannot be removed, which puts a stop to rolling around in what looks like a great gyro wheel, which surely would be fun. On the other hand: Why not simply take a rest.


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BELTING IT
“SLIM BELT” BY WOLFGANG PICHLER FOR VITEO

Viteo has given its successful “Slim” outdoor collection a makeover, paying homage to the wickerwork trend with “Slim Belt”. Previously the seat and backrest were made of robust Corian® solid surface material, now a belt-shaped mesh made of non-fading acrylic fibers has taken its place. Not only does this add to the visual appeal of the seating furniture with the pared-down design and stainless steel runners, but it also makes for comfortable sitting without cushions. “Slim Belt” is available as a chair, armchair, recliner and bar stool. In addition, the “Slim” range with the Corian® seat now comes with a timber underframe. So, at Viteo variety seems to be the motto of the season.


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LAYERS UPON LAYERS
“DOUBLE” BY RODOLFO DORDONI FOR RODA

Indoor furniture is outdoor furniture. Or the other way round. We are all familiar with the concept. In making “Double”, the new upholstered furniture collection by Rodolfo Dordoni, the focus was on weather-resistant materials. The aluminum frame complete with multi-layered upholstery is clad in a meshed fabric, which can – but does not have to be – also be covered with fabrics from Roda. Sofa, armchair and pouf are therefore rich in materials, a look-and-feel that is further accentuated by buttons, which gave the ensemble its name: “Double” as in double-face knit. The formula “indoor = outdoor” has turned out a success.


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LUCKY CHARM
“QUADRIFOGLIO” BY ALESSANDRA COMI FOR PAOLA LENTI

Outdoor carpets took flying colors at the recent Salone del Mobile. Pioneering this most extraordinary product category is Paola Lenti; the company has included weather-resistant textile floor coverings in its range for many years now. They are woven, tufted or sewn using polymer fibers such as polyolefin or polyamide, which are non-fading when exposed to UV light and mold-resistant into the bargain. Plus they are very easy to clean: either with a vacuum cleaner or with water and soap. And who knows, those opting for “Quadrifiglio”, which is Italian for clover leaf and the latest addition to the range by designer Alessandra Comi, may even be in for a spot of luck.


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COVERING UP
“ULM” BY RAMÓN ESTEVE FOR VONDOM

This item raises many a question: What has “Ulm” got to do with a shell? What happens if the cover goes down? And: Can you use the piece as an inflatable island that floats on water? But seriously: This daybed, which the architect Ramón Esteve dreamed up and refined for Vondom, is a clever and stylish piece of furniture destined for sunny open-air oases. Esteve says he was inspired by the Ulm College, something that is less apparent in the daybed and more so in the sofa and comfy chairs of this new range. Incidentally, we have seen the typology of a daybed with an integrated cover before, as Esteve already tested it as part of his – outstandingly successful – “Faz” collection for Vondom.


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THAT’S HOW YOU IMAGINE A PERFECT SUMMER
“YARD” BY STEFAN DIEZ FOR EMU

After part of the “Yard” outdoor range designed by Stefan Diez for Emu was presented at imm cologne, the complete collection of lounge chair, sofa, chair, bar stool and several tables finally went on show in its entirety at the Salone in Milan. The duo of painted frame and belt covering can be ordered in the following color combinations: black/gray, white/white, white/brown, Indian brown/brown, soft gray/brown, red/red, blue/blue, and mint green/beige. The frame can also be ordered in stainless steel as an option. The key feature is the belts that are integrated into the aluminum frame using a patented technology. When sitting down, they provide just the right amount of flexibility: soft comfort without sinking in too deeply.


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AS IF DRAWN BY A CHILD’S HAND
“COAST” BY SEBASTIAN BERGNE FOR SERRALUNGA

It looks like a child drew it with a text marker. As it turns out, “Coast”, the new bench by Sebastian Bergne for Italian manufacturer Serralunga is a real head-turner in any garden. Moreover, the name says it all, the piece of seating furniture has a maritime air about it – think walking by the sea on the esplanade. The design has the ingenious constellation of company and designer to thank for its tongue-in-cheek appeal that eschews any aspects of grave seriousness. Previous examples of this playful lightness are the “Flame” outdoor luminaire and “Oasis”, seating furniture with a cover of synthetic grass.


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SPAGHETTI STRAPS
“NOLITA” BY SIMONE MANDELLI AND
ANTONIO PAGLIARULO FOR PEDRALI

This is a true classic among al-fresco chairs. Created in the early days of his company in the 1960s, Mario Pedrali has now placed it back in the limelight, having of course adapted it to modern requirements. “Nolita” by designers Simone Mandelli and Antonio Pagliarulo is the perfect gelateria chair: made of steel, painted in bright colors such as white, yellow, orange, red, terracotta brown, blue, charcoal gray and sage green. The only things missing are a piazza, azure blue skies, gelato al limon or a coppa spaghetti.


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