Posted by
Kim Vallee
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 3:33 PM EDT
Designers and retailers have responded to people who dream of a modern summer house. Whether you are edgy or simply want an updated look on the classics, you can find something that will suit your taste.
From left: DWR Teepee and a grown-up version from Gandia Blasco
After the tepee emerged as a cool kids play tent, Gandia Blasco imagined Tipi and tailored it for the hip adults. DWR carries a tepee that would transform any city backyard into an urban campsite.
Revisiting the Classics
Clockwise from top: Kayu teak table and benches; Loll Dune low back folding chairs; Loll Designs Adirondack chairs
The minimalist Kayu teak dining table and benches is a timeless piece that you will love for years. Benches are practical for young families and big groups. Loll Designs simplified the lines of the Adirondack chairs and gave it an eco-friendly facelift. Loll chairs are made of recycled milk jugs. Pascal Mourgue updated the French bistro chair when he designed the Dune low back folding chair for Fermob. The Dune collection is available in 22 colours.
Modern Grills and Garden Accessories
Clockwise from top left: Notebook Grill; Orchos and Lympos torches by Blomus; Lighthouse oil lamps
The Notebook Grill is an affordable ($95) Swedish import. It’s surprising to see how much food can cook at once on a small portable grill. Lighting sets the mood indoor and outdoor. The Lighthouse oil lamps definitively have a place at a summerhouse on a lake. Christian Bjørn designed the lamps in four heights ranging from 10 to 27 inches. He also made a beautiful ball version. Torches light a path or can be spread across a backyard. The Orchos torch and the Lympos torch by Blomus add elegance to the popular tiki torch. Optional stands let you put the torches on any patio surfaces.
And do not forget that you can mix some rustic elements with modern pieces, if you select them right.
