Winston Furniture Company has launched a new website. The new site sports an entirely revamped design with several new features and products. Take a look here.  http://www.winstonfurniture.com

The Haleyville, Alabama, administrative offices of Winston Furniture were severely damaged by an apparent tornado that struck the area yesterday afternoon. Fortunately, no employees were in the offices at the time the storm struck. These offices, which housed support functions, are currently being relocated across the street to another office building that was undamaged by the storm. The Haleyville area is currently without power and communication services. The offices should be operational by the time power is restored in the area.

Telephone communication as well as fax activities have been diverted to the Birmingham, Alabama, offices so that orders and dealer inquiries can continue. Since the furniture production is no longer based in Haleyville only these administrative support activities were affected and it will only be a short term interruption in these functions of the company.

Winston Furniture’s popular selling Nexus Collection is now complete with new items including dining chairs, dining tables, occasional tables, arm lounge chair and stack chaise. The simplistic design of Nexus makes it a versatile collection at home in any setting- porch, patio or pool and it’s built strong enough for commercial use, too.  A full line of modular deep seating pieces are offered which allow you to design seating configurations for any space.

To efficiently accommodate the demand for Winston Furniture and to increase the quality standards, the Winston facility has undergone a major capital expenditure project. The entire Phase 1 project is close to completion in preparation for the busy season ahead. These enhancements will reduce manufacturing time to ensure on-time delivery and greatly improve the quality standards. Here is the latest information on Phase 1:

Redesigning of Work flow in Key areas – COMPLETED

Enlarge Cast Foundry Facility including installation of additional, large capacity melting pots – COMPLETED

Expand & Upgrade Pre-Wash System and Finish Cure Oven – COMPLETED

New, Expanded Paint Booths with state-of-the-art powder application guns – COMPLETED

Enlarge Buff and Grind Areas – COMPLETED

4,000 sq. ft. enlargement of General Storage Bay – Will complete by mid-February

New Oven and Paint Booths for Separate Multi-Step Paint Application Area – Will complete by end of January

Winston furniture is  excited about these improvements and look forward to implementing them to their full usefulness this season. We’ll keep you posted on other exciting things planned for the Winston facility in the very near future.

Now available for purchase from your local Winston furniture dealer are nine new beautifully crafted outdoor furniture collections. The new collections represent styles for any situation ranging from the contemporary to the transitional to the traditional.  All three outdoor furniture categories  are represented- cushion, sling, and vinyl strap.  For 2011, Winston has introduced over 50 new outdoor decorator fabrics from the leading manufacturers in outdoor fabrics and also offers 18 frame finish colors.  Visit your local Winston retailer today to see the new line for 2011 or visit our website.

www.winstonfurniture.com.

I have always been a fan of sculpture. Haven taken a few courses back in college, I truly respect the art form and work that is involved with the entire process. From its most simplest to complex forms, it is a craft that I find overly intriguing. One artist that I would like to thank for continuing my interest in sculpture is blacksmith Joe Brown. Brown works out of his shop in rural Middle Tennessee where he creates custom forged iron work used in homes and businesses throughout Middle Tennessee and across the United States. Brown’s beautiful pieces have included arbors, architectural elements, beds, benches, candle stands, fireplace doors and screens, gates, lighting, mailboxes, railings, sculpture, signs, stools, tables, wall hangings, window grilles, door grilles, and many more. Outdoor Furniture News had a chance to catch up with Joe and ask him a few questions.

OFN: “Artist Blacksmith” is an uncommon career choice.  What led you to pursue this way of life?

I have always liked working with my hands and I enjoy creating art.  I also wanted to work from home so I could spend more time with my family.  Working as an Artist Blacksmith gives me the opportunity to enjoy all of these things.

OFN: What does it mean that your pieces are hand-crafted using blacksmith techniques?

I use the traditional method of heating metal in a forge and forming the metal with hammer and anvil.  This method has a long history of providing ironwork from the most simplistic form to the most ornate.  Each piece is unique because I create them one at a time.  Every white oak leaf I make is a little different from the others just as they are different growing on the tree.

OFN:  Your garden pieces and sculpture are very beautiful. Do iron objects perform well outdoors and in the garden?   Are they durable and functional?

I usually work with steel and copper.  Both of these mediums do well outdoors.  Sometimes I coat the steel with a paint to add color and prevent rust.  Other pieces are left uncoated so they can patina as they are exposed to the elements.  I use steel that is thick enough to rust but not deteriorate.

OFN: Where is your work shown?

Most of my work is commissioned because I specialize in custom forgings for the home and garden.  I make pieces that fit a specific area or to compliment a particular design.  This gives me the opportunity to offer my clients something that meets their needs and fills their space exactly.  I do take my work to a few local fine art shows and I open my studio for a weekend each November as part of a tour of studios in my area.  My website and blog also show some of my current work.

OFN: Your designs are fresh and original.  At the same time, they seem to reflect traditional forms and influences. What is your most important source of inspiration?

My designs vary from straight lines and contemporary to reproductions and colonial.  But the majority of my work reflects creations found in nature.  I always go back to leaves, flowers, grasses and cattails.  I like the way a vine flows and wraps around other things.  It’s great to take that idea and put it in a railing on a staircase or on an arbor in a garden.  I am excited about my most recent sculpture series called “Seascape”.  I use a combination of photo realism and art interpretation to replicate in steel some of the ocean’s most extraordinary inhabitants.

I want to thank Joe Brown for letting the world know a little more about his craft. You can view his art at www.brownviewforge.com.

Credits: The images in this article are works by Joe Brown. I also want to thank John Balch for his contribution to this article

In the second installment of Ten Tips for Buying Outdoor Furniture, I am going to explain the advantages of aluminum-constructed furniture. Aluminum and steel are two popular materials used in creating the framework of outdoor furniture. When comparing the two mediums there are some issues to consider.

First and foremost, steel WILL rust regardless of the pretreatment and top coat finish that is applied. Moisture is steel’s nemesis and considering the furniture is used outdoors, eliminating the moisture component is virtually impossible even if the furniture is placed in a covered or screened area. Steel is primarily used in “wrought iron” styles of furniture. Steel can be bent to create beautiful forms and details. Some of the techniques used in creating wrought iron furniture are centuries old. Generally, steel furniture is heavy and is a logical choice for windy outdoor environments.  Wrought iron furniture is a popular choice and many consider this to be the first category of traditional outdoor furniture.

Aluminum furniture is created from either extrusions or solid cast aluminum. Many designs today, however, incorporate both extrusions and solid aluminum castings. An extrusion is best described as a hollow tube of aluminum usually formed with inner walls for added strength. The extrusions are made in a manner similar to how pasta is created.  Solid aluminum cores or “billets” are pushed through a die shaped in the cross section profile of the desired look.  The pieces are cut and bent into whatever shape the furniture requires.

Aluminum can also be melted, poured into carved molds, cooled and welded onto extrusions to provide details that simple extrusions cannot provide. These aluminum parts are called cast aluminum components. Some outdoor furniture designs do not include the aluminum extrusions at all and are created entirely from solid cast aluminum parts. But, combining aluminum extrusions and cast components offer both weight and cost advantages. A solid cast aluminum chair can be extremely heavy and since aluminum is basically sold by weight, the resulting furniture would also be very costly. A benefit of combining extrusions with castings is in the additional weight.  This weight, although modest, would prove beneficial in windy areas where slightly heavier outdoor furniture is required.

However, the biggest advantage when comparing aluminum to steel furniture- aluminum furniture will not rust. It is the perfect material to use outdoors and when coated with a baked on powder coated paint finish, outdoor aluminum furniture will last forever.

If you are in the market for outdoor furniture, consider one of the most recognized outdoor furniture brands for quality, style and comfort- Winston Furniture. In business since 1975, Winston Outdoor Furniture has built high quality outdoor furniture for the leisure activity enjoyment of families all over America and beyond. Visit our website www.winstonfurniture.com to view the entire product offering and to locate an authorized Winston dealer in your area.

Burgers, steaks, hot dogs, veggies, sausage, yum yum yum. These eats are an essential to a lazy summer day out on the patio with the guys. Part of the fun of grilling up these traditional meats (no offense to the veggies) is well… the BBQ grill. There are several options to consider when purchasing that “perfect” grill. Style, size, cost, and durability are all factors that you need to consider when buying a new gas grill. Here are a few burners that I recommend checking out.

________________________________________________________

1. Weber Genesis E-320 – This beast is built like a tank. A very durable grill with heavyweight burners.  $700

________________________________________________________

2. Ducane Affinity 3100 – Built tough, and built with your pockets in mind. $3oo

________________________________________________________

3. Brinkman 810-1750-S – Not the most durable grill out there, but very stylish… Five stainless steel burners and an electronic ignition. $500

________________________________________________________

4. Broil Mate 13024 – Budget, budget, budget. $150

________________________________________________________

5. Brinkmann 810-8411-5 – Four burners, a side burner and a warming rack. Throw in the bottle opener and that’s a lot for the price. - $200

We are pleased to announce the Winston Furniture Designer Showroom located in the Chicago Merchandise Mart is now open with regular operating hours Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The showroom serves as the primary showroom for Winston Furniture Company as well as serving as a resource for the design community in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Equally newsworthy, Greg Landis has returned as the showroom’s full-time manager. Greg joined Winston Furniture as its showroom manager in 2005. Greg’s extensive background in sales management is invaluable in his role as Winston’s showroom manager. “We are extremely pleased not only to announce the reopening of the Winston Furniture Showroom to a full-time capacity, but are also equally excited that Greg was able to rejoin us as our showroom manager”, said Steve Herenlip, Winston’s VP Sales and Marketing. ” This move shows the overall commitment from our retail base as Winston continues to gain momentum in the eyes of the buying public”.

Winston opened its first permanent showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart more than 25 years ago and was among the first tenants to occupy a showroom representing the Casual & Outdoor Furniture Industry. Although the showroom has not been staffed full-time over the last year, it has been attended on an as-needed basis by Greg Smith, showroom manager for one of Winston’s sister companies, Brown Jordan.

Greg is excited to renew relationships with his many Winston customers in the Chicago design community and welcomes them back to the Winston showroom. The showroom phone number remains 312-222-0455.  Call Greg today with your order inquiries.

In the world of outdoor art, there are just a few artist that really catch your eye. From her simplicity to her minimalistic approach, New Zealand artist Lisa Turley has caught mine. Turley’s beautiful works are constructed of brushed stainless steel and promise to enhance any garden, patio, or contemporary setting.

OFN:  Who is your favorite artist of all time and why?

Hmm, that’s a hard one.  Although not at artist as such, I love work by Frank Lloyd Wright, the architect.  His work is quite phenomenal and way before his time.  I love the way he used natural elements in Fallingwater and yet his lines are clean and functional.  I really like architectural, building and interior design.

OFN:  When you are working on a piece, where does your inspiration usually come from?

I love words, nature and simplicity.  Living in New Zealand, by the beach, it is easy to be inspired by nature.

OFN:  Why do you choose to work in stainless steel rather than a traditional medium?

I think stainless is a fantastic medium to work with.  I love the way it reflects light, great for a garden area so the greenery is reflected and the art becomes part of the garden, enhancing it, rather than standing out.  Stainless is classic, timeless, low maintenance.  When I started LisaSarah, I was looking for art for our new outdoor area and couldn’t find anything I liked.  I tried a number of different materials before finding stainless.  I wanted something of quality that wouldn’t corrode easily.  It also looks great indoors.

OFN:  The “Dragonfly” is a stunning piece, are you planning on working on more triptych’s in the future?

Many thanks.  Yes, I love triptychs and square pieces.  Anything that is slightly different or interesting. I am working on squares in sets and playing around with some other shapes too.

OFN: You have a certain degree of simplicity in your work, is there a reason behind this or is that just what happens in your art?

I am a minimalist, to a certain degree.  I don’t like clutter and think that as stainless steel is such a “clean” and simple material, it is part of the art, not just the design itself.  My latest pieces have become a little busier however, still maintain the simplicity.

OFN:  Do you have a personal favorite piece of art? (Yours)

I really love the peacock feather and my latest piece, “A blade of grass”, which is now on my wall!

OFN:  Last question…how are your shows/exhibitions going?

Just finished a solo exhibition and am now working on a smaller retail range as I have had a lot of interest from retailers who don’t have the room wall space.  I want to keep the original line exclusive though and continue to add pieces that will have smaller editions.

I want to thank Lisa Turley for letting the world know a little more about her fascinating gift. You can view her art at www.lisasarah.com.

Credits:  The picture at the top features art by Lisa Sarah.