Moving Outside
Are you ready for weatherproofed Ethan Allen furniture? The traditional home furnishings company has taken a step outside by launching a line of outdoor furniture.
The Home & Garden collection includes rust-resistant dining tables (48-inch diameter, wood, $1150; glass, $540-$780); armchairs ($330-$560); ottomans ($220-$440); chaise longues ($900-$1540); occasional tables ($300-$400); and umbrellas ($495-$545; stand, $100).
Fabrics used for cushions and table umbrellas are mildew- and water-resistant. Items are coated with UV protection, making them durable even in the strong sun that hits your porch, patio, rooftop or sun room.
There are four styles: Spa has warmly toned teak and silvery cast aluminum; Trellis has solid cast aluminum that was inspired by the French gardening technique espalier; Metro showcases arcs, circles and parallels in powder-coated aluminum; and Atrium displays neoclassical design on hand-woven aluminum.
The designs, ranging from contemporary geometrics to classic patterns, cater to all tastes.
For the closest Ethan Allen: (800) 228-9229.
Sun Spots
The Sun Shop at Mervyn’s California makes it easy to add a fresh look to picnics and poolside parties.
Plates, pitchers, glasses and serving trays are decorated with bright stripes and sliced citrus designs. They are made of durable plastic and are dishwasher safe.
They come in a variety of seasonal colors: lemon, lime, aqua and tangerine, in clear or frosty.
They are reasonably priced ($2-$12), taking the guilt out of splurging for the season. This way, if a tumbler (clear 16-ounce, $2; clear 32-ounce, $2.50; frosty, $3 and $5) gets left at the beach, it won’t break the household piggy bank.
Serving trays are shaped like an orange slice ($10); salad plates ($5) are circular.
For tea lovers, there are acrylic tumblers ($4) with sliced fruit designs and a matching pitcher ($12).
They’re available at Mervyn’s on Wednesday, through the end of summer. For the closest store, call (800) MERVYNS.
The Source
Need to know when your tile pattern was first popular? Want the history on the textile rug in your hallway? Ever wonder who created your wallpaper pattern?
“The Style Sourcebook,” by Judith Miller (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $60), may have all your answers. It’s pegged as the “definitive illustrated directory of fabrics, paints, wallpaper, tiles and flooring.” The information inside is helpful to interior decorators and hands-on homeowners.
Miller, who is the co-founder and author of several books and an annual antiques price guide, has included 2,100 samples, from trimmings to paints, from medieval times to the present. This helps decorators select favorite designs by era as well as aesthetics.
The 400-page book is available at most bookstores or by calling (800) 932-0070, Ext. 214.