Gandia Blasco are one of the pioneers of the outdoor design revolution that kicked off 15 or so years ago. So it is always worth checking out their take on things. The brand is now about Outdoor and Passdoor designs… They say “we want to occupy new spaces…” And they are so right.
If you’re eager to have a touch of forest appeal in you urban backyard, I think these new designs will fit the bill. Binome Jardin is a design studio created by two sculptors with a passion for gardens.
After having spent time creating massive and amusing animal sculptures for outdoor spaces, they are now bringing their artistic approach to the outdoor furniture scene. I love this touch of quirkiness, and the fact they combine wood with modern materials is a very clever way. The Cratere stools and matching bench have an organic feel. They are made of whitewashed polyester resin with oak log insets.
A great way to unify an outdoor space and an indoor one is through common flooring. And materials that work well in both contexts are not as widespread as one could expect. Specially if you look beyond tiling. So I was thrilled to discover a new option, which is not even madly expensive but allows you to really add color, pattern or you can stay neutral.
In a shop window in Notting Hill, London, I saw a book called Product Design In The Sustainable Era
However, I will admit that being aware of the different production techniques being used in modern designs does help to make an even wiser choice. Take, for example, colorful metal outdoor furniture. One could think they are all the same and possibly all rather bad green options. The fact is that the paint they use and the way they spray their designs has a huge impact.
Fermob, the French-based leading outdoor metal furniture, brand has been awarded an ISO certificate precisely for their work on clever and ecological use of paint. When you look at woven materials the same applies. All fibers are not created equal.
Joel Escalona is a young talent. He and the firm Grupo HeWi based in Mexico have designed a cheerful collection of outdoor seats and tables. The synthetic fibers are resistant to UV, and all kind of outdoors environments like heavy use settings, pools, and sea fronts. The fibers they use are a non-toxic material that is 100% recyclable and friendly on the environment. Both the metal frame and the synthetic fibers can be recycled at your local recycling center.
I just learned an American expression: “The McMansion.” For those outside the US, this expression refers to truly oversized, mass-produced properties you possibly only find in the US. And so, this unique design is clearly for the opposite type of property: one with limited outdoor space but with the same amount of ambition. Outdoor bathing, the sensation of a good splash, really makes a summer become real. Equally on a normal day after work, outdoor bathing entirely changes your stress level and mood. Sadly, outdoor tubs and Jacuzzis are notoriously unattractive. So, I would really love this type design to become widely available.
I admit. This is an entirely selfish post. I am an urban dweller with a balcony and am in the process of redesigning it to get even more out of it. Hopefully, despite its tiny nature, the balcony can become a relaxing space, a work spot, an outdoor gym and a TV room. I also occasionally would like to walk out and feel grass under my feet. That makes quite a tall order so the hunt for ideas is on! The challenge is trickier than I thought. Though new designs for gardens and large spaces have flooded the market, balconies still lag behind in the revolution.
Fortunately as part of my job, I am coincidentally a jury member on a contest that may help me find the holly grail!
On websites that promote outdoor lighting you often see light wall sconces presented in an actual outdoor setting, generally on a wall leading to a home. In most cases these images look superb. That is probably why we stay in a conventional use of the designs! We cannot imagine them bringing even more to a space.
And then, one day, a brand presents those exact same sconces used in a very clever way and suddenly a world of ideas and opportunities opens up.
I totally adore this clever use of multiple sconces by IP44.
Sitting Bulles is a creation of French designer Marie Galoyer. This seat is made by connecting inflatable “bubbles” (like beach balls, but sturdier) to a central unit and setting them at the angle that works for you. The whole design has a lot going for it: it is airy and cool and fun. It turns a piece of furniture into a true feature for an outdoor space. From a practical standpoint, assembly is easy and quick. The balloons are inflated with a regular pump and the process is sorted in under five minutes. A storage and transport case is included.
David Bitton is an architect and landscape designer based in Paris and active internationally. Last year he was quite the talk of the town with (probably) the first “pop up garden.” Designed along the same idea of the new pop up “here today gone tomorrow” stores, the garden encompassed an amazing green wall and cherry picked furniture designs. You can “watch” his gardens on YouTube.
This year I didn’t make it to Milan so I was eager to have David’s feedback about what caught his eye and interest at this year’s Salone del Mobile.
Outdoor entertainment is an underdeveloped area, so obviously I was ecstatic about this amazing new idea by a French architect who goes under the name Ludale (as part of his end of study projects he had the idea of developing a flying city. That already says a lot about his ambition!) After eight years of active practice as an architect, he has embarked on a new venture for which he recently has been awarded a grant by the Black Rock Art foundation.
