OUTDOOR LIVING WITH STYLE

Outdoor living plays a key factor in the Mediterranean lifestyle, so furniture for the outside areas is highly important and should be a carefully considered investment when furnishing your home. Making your outdoor space – whether it is a terrace, patio or garden – a comfortable place that you can relax in, the same as for your indoor area, is what will make your home complete. Very often the general design trend stops at the patio door, but this shouldn’t be the case, as there is no reason why there can’t be a continuous flow of the same style to the outdoors. Making the outdoor area loungey and cosy, just like your living room, shows continuity and a strong sense of design integrity. Even through the winter months, we can enjoy our outdoor areas in southern Spain, so wisely choose good-quality furniture that will withstand harsh weather conditions – and get creative. Low blocky sofas and chairs have become a popular trend over the last few years as they are not only comfy but also casual in appearance, making them more welcoming aesthetically. Adding appropriate-sized side tables for resting drinks, plates and devices is a must, as it is so easier to have a table close to where you are sitting rather than having to get up and move when you are in the middle of a conversation. Finally, even in the colder season we are fortunate enough to be blessed with sun, but some shade is always appreciated at certain times of the day – if not to protect you from the heat, from the glare of the sun itself. So, parasols, awnings and pergolas are just some of the many other options to consider in order to make your outdoor area the perfect place to enjoy winter days and nights.

The A’mare collection by Edra solidifies water into exquisite objects created by expert craftmanship (www.edra.com) .

The Sunset lounge set by Diphano offers three geometric shapes that can be combined to suit the space. The movable arm and backrests are fixed with Velcro, allowing you to place them in a number of different positions and making this seating system highly versatile. Available directly from A Cielo Abierto in Centro de Negocios Oasis on Marbella’s Golden Mile (www.acieloabierto.net)and through Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) .

The Wabi sofa is part of the collection with the same name designed by Francesco Rota and then edited by Paola Lenti. The frame is stainless steel upholstered with fixed handmade rope or Aquatech fabric protected with a water-resistant silicone (www.paolalenti.it) .

The new Zenith Collection by Gloster was conceived by Danish designer Henrik Pedersen. The collection combines various materials that make lounging outdoors optimally comfortable, practical and luxurious. Gloster is available through Outdoor Concepts at the top of the Boulevard in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.outdoorconcepts.es) and A Cielo Abierto in C. de Negocios Oasis on Marbella’s Golden Mile (www.acieloabierto.net) .

Talenti’s Cliff collection is made with woven nautical ropes and fabrics in geometrical patterns that convey both a playful and a glamorous aesthetic. Coming in various colours, this range is ideal for any style of home, offering high-quality durability that will stand the test of time. All available from the Talenti showroom in Puerto Banús (www.talentimarbella.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) , and also through De Tropen on the Autovía del Mediterráneo A7, Exit 953, Vélez-Málaga, or buy online at www.detropen.es .

Manutti’s iconic Kobo lounge set offers low comfortable seating in handwoven rope. This collection is not by any means new. It has held its own over the years in terms of popularity and aesthetic appeal thanks to a clever and timeless design by Stephane de Winter. The set is matched with Manut ti’s Torsa low tables, which have a ceramic tabletop that comes in a variety of versions, with sturdy teak legs. Manutti is available from Acoola in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and A Cielo Abierto in C. de Negocios Oasis on Marbella’s Golden Mile (www.acieloabierto.net) .

The Forest chair range by Fast is made from extruded and die-cast aluminium and it comes in a variety of colours. As the name suggests, the collection was inspired by the elegance of nature and casts beautiful shadows through its ornate patterned design. Fast’s inspiration for the aluminium Radice Quadra table was the mathematical sign of the square root (Radice Quadra in Italian). The lightweight geometrical frame in die cast aluminium comes with either a square, rectangular or round table top in aluminium or speckled aluminium. Fast is available from Outdoor Concepts at the top of the Boulevard in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.outdoorconcepts.es) .

The Doga collection by Nardi is convenient to move around, stackable, easily-sanitised and entirely recyclable. The collection comes in various colours to suit the mood you want to create. It is shown here with their Rio table, which is UV-treated and has a slatted tabletop and coated aluminium frame. Available through Siesta Interior Design in Centro Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Acoola in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) , and you can buy directly from De Tropen on the Autovía del Mediterráneo A7, Exit 953, Vélez-Málaga, or online at www.detropen.es .

The new Heritage collection by Point was designed by Mario Ruiz, who was inspired by the famous handmade braiding of this Alicante furniture brand. He looked back at the production and typologies of two iconic Point collections, Heritage Lineal (conservative and geometric in style) and Heritage Contour (softer and more organic), then combined them together for this latest Heritage range. Point is available from Outdoor Concepts at the top of the Boulevard in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.outdoorconcepts.es) , Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com) .

The stackable Strappy coated stainless-steel dining chair by Royal Botania has padded seat straps and armrests, giving it its unique and contemporary look. It appears as if the seat is suspended inside this elegant slender frame. The Styletto ellipse table comes in six different shapes, sizes and materials. Royal Botania is available from A Cielo Abierto in C. de Negocios Oa sis on Marbella’s Golden Mile (www.acieloabierto.net) , Acoola in Polígono Industrial San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and Outdoor Concepts at the top of the Boulevard in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.outdoorconcepts.es) .

This bamboo dining set from North by North adds an organic feel to the outdoor space, but it would also be suitable for indoor use (www.northbynorth.com) .

This stunning dining set by Hartman has a slatted table which comes extra wide, enabling 10 people to sit around the table comfortably. The matching contemporary lounge set completes the look. Hartman is available from De Tropen on the Autovía del Mediterráneo A7, Exit 953, Vélez-Málaga, or buy on line at www.detropen.es .

Cliff by Talenti is characterised by a tubular frame covered with braided hawsers. This luxurious sunbed has soft cushions in three earthy colour palettes – thus blending perfectly into its natural surroundings. Available from the Talenti showroom in Puerto Banús (www.talentimarbella.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) , and also through De Tropen on the Autovía del Mediterráneo A7, Exit 953, Vélez-Málaga, or buy online at www.detropen.es .

The elegant Sempre daybed from 4 Seasons Outdoor has a teak frame with weather-resistant fabric. Available directly from De Tropen on the Autovía del Mediterráneo A7, Exit 953, Vélez Málaga, or buy online at www.detropen.es .

These chic sun loungers from Sybartum are made from solid wood with a tilting headrest. Available directly from the showroom on the Mijas Road or online at www.sybartum.com .

CATCHING THE WINTER SUN

Varaschin’s new spa furniture comes with integrated technology such as light, sound, fragrance, and even a food warmer. Their Single Bed is an innovative modular system offering many options to design the wellbeing space according to your specific requirements. The padded resting surface, upholstered in their Wellness fabric, has an integrated luminous ring for support as well as providing therapeutic functions. Varaschin is available through Alison Bethell-Collins Interior Design in Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara (www.alisonbethellcollins.com).

The modular Lilly lounge chair by Diabla Outdoor is made from a simple model of square foam blocks surrounded by a tubular frame in textured powder-coated steel. The upholstery on the backrest and seats is water resistant and removable using a system of hidden zippers. Diabla is available through Siesta Interior Design in C. Plaza in Nueva Andalucía (www.siestainteriordesign.com) and Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) .

Dirk Wynants, the founder of Extremis, designed the Abachus for informal seating at a bar-gathering, offering strong galvanised steel and hardwood arms to lean on, so people can come and go easily without a fuss. It offers overhead protection, making it a useful bar area for all-year-round use. Extremis is available from Acoola in Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.acoola.eu) and A Cielo Abierto in C. de Negocios Oasis on Marbella’s Golden Mile (www.acieloabierto.net) .

This beautiful awning by Markilux comes in an array of colours to suit your own personal preference. The high-quality German manufacturing of this awning is second-to-none, superlatively withstanding strong wind gusts and other extreme weather conditions – meaning this shade solution is the perfect investment for any home. Available exclusively from Arte del Lusso in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.artedellusso.es) .