Photo Courtesy of Smith and Hawken

Now that summer is in full swing, it makes good sense to reevaluate and reconsider how we use our outdoor spaces. (Before you know it, season-ending sales will be upon us!) And while residents of warm climates have always focused on outdoor living, here in New England were finally following their lead. Clients are spending more time and energy on living spaces overall, and the outdoors reflects that, says Patrick Kennedy, of PS Design Studio, Inc. and a faculty member at Fairfield Universitys Interior Design Program. The design world has looked at outdoor living as an extension of indoor living for some time now. Vases, urns, colorful cushions, or pillows and decorative finishes are ways of achieving continuity.

Outdoor furniture is, of course, the first step in creating a welcoming al fresco space. Dan Weiss, president of Lillian August, tells us great design abounds today, particularly in high-end furniture. Newer furniture looks great and is comfortable with deep seating and upholstery that doesnt have to be put away every time it rains. As for style, he believes people use clean-lined modern styles outdoors, mirroring interior design trends. However, he adds that traditional [styles] still appeal to many.

Locally, many superior shopping resources offer furniture at every price point. Pickets, a shop in lower Greenfield Hill, is a terrific spot for wonderful garden ornaments and furniture, such as stone tables, old Lutyens benches, and 19th century cast-iron benches. Owner Laura Baker suggests a mossy cast-stone bench with fun cushions, a trough overflowing with herbs, an eye-catching statue, or the patina of an old urn to add beauty to any garden setting. She loves silvery-grey weathered teak and offers her unique method for incorporating a new piece into an existing collection: Tie it to something secure and soak in salt water at high tideand dont worry about a little rust on the hinges.

Thinking about wood, but are worried about the environmental impact or its maintenance? Rest easy. Responsible manufacturers buy from sustainable forests where wood is harvested under strictly controlled regulations. And, in terms of maintenance, wood like teak eventually weathers to a beautiful soft silver-grey without much care at all. However, if you want to prolong the golden showroom color, youll have to clean and seal it. To do this, sand off any old sealant and make sure that the wood is completely dry before reapplying. Small cracks in wood called checks are normal and develop over time. Teak is naturally rot-resistant and has been used in boat decks for years. Michael Fischer, manager of Fortunoff in Norwalk, recommends a quick cleaning with plain soap and water and oiling it once a year. As for manufacturers, he recommends Gloster and Brown Jordan.

Photo Courtesy of Lloyd Flanders

Simon Burvill of Gaze Burvill, an upper-end furniture line from England, is passionate about design elements and the environment. He buys oak mainly from managed forests in France, which date back to Napoleons re-planting program. Oak wont splinter and weathers differently than teak, according to the companys east coast representative Pascale Butcher. She recommends doing nothing at all and letting it turn silvery-grey. A special steaming process turns the oak into comfortable benches and seats that can be used without cushions. Gaze Burvill also has a lightweight, stackable marine-grade stainless-steel line that is sleek and elegant. In fact, the companys Bowline Yacht Chair won a British Interior Design Association award for outstanding quality and design innovation.

Cachet, on the Post Road in Fairfield, is a wonderful upscale consignment shop featuring well-designed pieces in good condition. Sheila Roy, who owns the store, believes that today people are looking to create charming outdoor space rather than just a place to flop. She notes that stylish retro pieces with clean lines are very popular outdoors, reflecting todays interior design trend toward sleek furniture. Of course, she adds, heavyweight wrought iron will always be desirable, and many people enjoy the charm of antique wicker (of which Cachet has plenty in stock).

When it comes to metal, extruded or pulled aluminum is lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and needs minimal care. Cast aluminum has more intricate designs than extruded aluminum and has virtually replaced wrought iron. It is beautiful, lightweight, wont rust, and often has a highly durable powder-coated paint finish. Clean both types of aluminum periodically with non-abrasive household cleaner, and if nicks or scratches appear, touch up as follows: for a textured finish, use spray paint; for a glossy finish, use fine sandpaper to prepare the surface area and apply a few thin coats of spray paint; for hand-applied or antique finishes, use a small paint brush to coat the area, and wipe with a soft cloth. For all finishes, let the paint dry and polish with car wax. And remember: always start with a clean surface before painting. Wrought iron is still available and can be found mainly at consignment stores. It will, however, rust over time. Use fine sandpaper to remove rust and touch up with liquid or aerosol paint. (And, it goes without saying, that the best way to protect your investment is to cover furniture during winter.)