Al Fresco design

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Innovative flooring solutions for outdoor spaces include synthetic coverings such as Tiara Giardino from Tisca Tiara.

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Bubble sofas from Point SL.

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Stackable chairs, such as these from Resol, are increasing in popularity.

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Outdoor dining from Royal Botania.

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In-built sun protection from Ego Paris.

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Tandem sunlounger with canopy from Point SL.

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Hotels and restaurants in the Middle East have long been advocates of outdoor living during the cooler winter months but how can commercial spaces retain their popularity during the harsher summer months? Clients are regularly demanding that their interior designers turn their attention to the exterior spaces of commercial projects. Consequently, the pressure is on manufacturers to create functional yet highly attractive products. Francisco Pons Gracia, export manager, Point SL says: "In the last two years demand for outdoor products has increased due to a growing importance in outdoor decoration and a huge effort from companies to improve designs and quality." CID shows how to create the ideal exterior.

Furniture

An outdoor space should be designed to seamlessly connect to the inside, thus current styles for the outdoors are reflecting indoor furniture trends with clean contemporary designs in a range of suitable outdoor materials leading the way. Rosa Aznar, communications manager, Kettal, agrees outdoor designs are mirroring those found inside: "Garden furniture is gaining ground and is being adapted from indoor designs and improving in appearance without losing its essence. There is also a tendency for clean, organic designs for all furniture but particularly sofas and armchairs."

Jean Sommereux, general manager, EGO Paris comments: "Trends in outdoor furniture have shifted from traditional styles from a few years ago to more contemporary designs. Within the modern market there are two major trends: Latin with an emphasis on curves and Nordic with straight lines and geometric shapes. There is also a market for customisation allowing clients to tailor make their own furniture."

Roger Clements, manager, Suncoast describes his top trends: "Tables with either built-in or separate Lazy Susan's are increasing in popularity while in commercial projects the folding chair is now being replaced by the stacking variety."

The latest range from UK-based Royal Botania, designed by Kris Van Puyvelde, combines both the popular Lazy Susan and stainless steel stackable chairs. Kettal also stocks a broad range of fold-up, stackable and adjustable furniture, with fold-up canopies or roll-up sunshades for easy storage while EGO Paris recently extended its Tandem Sunlounger collection to encompass flexible modular furniture as well as incorporating a multi-extendable table to its Tandem dining set.

Outdoor furniture ranges combine style and effective use of materials to withstand the changing climates. Aznar, Kettal, says: "Our products have been awarded ISO 9001 certification due to our strict testing for: impact; fatigue; corrosion; rusting; abrasion; combustibility; paint adherence; resistance to the sun moisture and salinity."

Classique, an Australian brand available in the Middle East through Global Furniture Solutions, manufactures a range of outdoor furniture for the hospitality sector, Classique Leisure Collection. Dave Bihari, Classique says: "Unique design innovations, strict prototype testing and controlled heat and UV radiation tests by an independent laboratory ensure that the quality of materials used in the range can withstand the harsh weathering elements across the Middle East."

The best outdoor materials are man-made says Joan Chavarria, marketing director, Resol Group: "Tropical woods and natural wicker are losing share while synthetic and recyclable items such as painted or anodized aluminum and polythene wicker are very successful. Synthetic fibres such as textilene are also being used instead of natural fibres due to flexibility and performance." Hard wearing outdoor furniture ranges include Vincent Sheppard's Outdoor Collection, available from Carpe Diem, which features a Lloyd Loom weave made from Kraft paper woven around a steel wire, a process which has been in production since 1917 and is guaranteed to be strong and durable. The chairs are finished with a coat of moisture-resistant lacquer and an aluminum frame ensures the chairs are sturdy. The Trinconfort range from Kettal also features long lasting materials such as wood, aluminum and lacquer resin and Kudos stocks a contemporary range of aluminum furniture.

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