INSIDE & OUT : Seaside Seating

One look at Sea Design Furniture’s Steamer chair and lounger, and sitting by the sea will become the order of the day.

The chair and lounger, designed and manufactured by the San Clemente company, are made of teak. Both are fully collapsible for easy storing and transporting, and the joint mechanisms are rustproof.

Each piece of the chair is shaped by hand, so the seat and back conform to the body.

“It has a timeless feel, from the ‘30s and ‘40s,” said Jan Tucker, owner of Sea Design. “It always reminds me of Cary Grant and ‘An Affair to Remember.”’

Tucker said she and her husband designed the chair because they liked the loungers on the Queen Mary. “Those chairs looked good, but there was no ‘beef’ to them. So we modified it to what we wanted.”

The chair is $949, the lounger $1,149. The Sea Design showroom is at 1504 Avenida de la Estrella, No. G. For information, call (714) 498-9107.

Harvest Dishes

Ceramist Barbara Eigen’s earthenware looks almost good enough to eat.

Specializing in serving pieces in the shape of fruits and vegetables, Eigen made a slight departure for her latest works, sold under her Eigen Arts label.

“The squash tureen and lidded casseroles are more decorative, more whimsical than my usual pieces, but they still function as serving pieces,” said Eigen, 49, who started in a SoHo loft in 1977. She moved her factory and studio to New Jersey about five years ago.

All of Eigen’s wares are dishwasher-safe and can be used for cooking in a slow oven. “I use them every day,” she said,

Each piece is hand-painted and finished with a nontoxic glaze for sheen.

Eigen’s collection, with pieces priced from $20 and up, can be purchased in Orange County at I. Magnin in Newport Beach, or by calling Eigen at (201) 798-7310.

Pet Project

The loss of Chef, her 13-year-old cat, a little more than a year ago, inspired Diana Laufer to create a pet memorial candle.

After an unsuccessful search for an affordable tribute, Laufer, an author and illustrator for children’s books, decided to design something to help deal with her grief.

“I found tombstones and plaques, but nothing unique,” said Laufer, owner/art director of Design Street Studios in Los Angeles.

Furry Angel ($10.99) is a wax-filled glass tumbler with a silk-screened label that depicts ethereal animals flying around a poem. It comes with a card that suggests a candle-lighting ceremony.

For information or to order, call (213) 939-6680 or write Furry Angel, 8391 Beverly Blvd., No. 263, Los Angeles, CA 90048.