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.

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

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

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

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

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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.

Adding a beautiful piece of artwork to your outdoor living space may be the one addition that can dramatically enhance your patio or garden. A collection of outdoor art can create numerous conversations over the years with its style, flair, and decorative presence. If you are in the market for outdoor artwork, there are some basic factors to consider.

Lets face it, the artwork is going to be outside. Extremely harsh sunlight and weather conditions could easily ruin a painting overnight. There is no gloss or special varnish that can protect your art from being outdoors. There is new technology that can though. Weatherprints by Open Air Designs is a state-of-the-art technology that offers UV and weather resistant paintings. The weatherprints will basically hang on anything you can think of and the included mounting brackets and stainless steel fasteners are patio ready. When shopping for outdoor art, make sure its weather resistant. There are several online retailers and patio stores that carry weatherprints.

The second factor in the search for outdoor art is style. What style is going to fit your arrangement? If you have old traditional patio furniture, hanging a modern or super contemporary piece may severely clash and look out of place. On the contrary, traditional outdoor wall art may not necessarily agree with your sleek and simple outdoor furniture. It’s up to the buyer or their decorator to make this decision but the right eye will eventually meet the right piece, you just have to spend some time looking. Online vendors such as The Outdoor Art Store will give you a head start.

Do you have a “theme” for your garden or patio? There is a term that i like to use and that is overboard syndrome. If you have gone to a beach condo you may have witnessed overboard syndrome before. It’s that condo with paintings of sea shells, fish, dolphins, sand castles, and more sea shells. While this may seem to obviously fit the overall beach “theme”, there is no originality to the setup. A theme’s effectiveness is all about being unique and original and that is the key in adding that next dimension to your patio or garden.

Finally, you have to look at the price tag. It can be convenient to stay on the less expensive side and buy artwork at Target or spend a fortune on a single piece at your favorite gallery. When planning a budget, decide how important your purchase will actually be. Is artwork the most important part of your patio setup? Would that outdoor painting you saw in the gallery “make” verses break your setup? Do you want your artwork to be truly original? Would you like to support a local artist? There are several popular brands that produce outdoor artwork and accessories such as Open Air Designs and Sunterra that may fit your budget.

Artwork:  “Memories of Tuscany II” by Tandi Venter

The first tip in buying outdoor furniture is knowing where to shop. Specialty patio stores, department stores, and full-line furniture stores are the best places to look.

Outdoor furniture is a very popular furniture category. These products are sold in many places from patio/hearth shops to national retail chains to grocery stores! And, the quality of outdoor furniture varies as much as the locations in which they are sold. This is why specialty patio, department or full-line furniture stores are the recommended places to shop because these places specialize in outdoor furniture or at least have designated departments that specialize in these products. The biggest advantage that these venues offer is their product knowledge AND their service after the sale! Who do you think would know the advantages of aluminum furniture versus wrought iron furniture? Or, what is the construction of a particular cushion material and how do I keep it clean? What is “cast aluminum”? Think about what would happen if you scratch your furniture and need matching touchup paint? Or, what if you need to replace a worn or damaged cushion or sling bucket?  Do you think the large retail chains can assist you with any of these scenarios or the sales person at the “grocery store”- can he help you? He’s probably the same guy that cut those rib eyes for you last weekend! I think you get my point.

Consider your options but think about where you feel you will get the best service before, during and after your purchase of high quality outdoor furniture.

Summer is around the corner and weekends will be filled with pool parties, gardening, barbecuing, and pitch-and-catch with the kids. One product that comes to mind when thinking of these activities is the outdoor television. Growing in popularity over the years, this outdoor accessory is becoming a must have.  I have decided to break down three outdoor TV’s that would add fun, excitement, and style to any outdoor patio arrangement. After all, there is nothing quite like outdoor HD.

Sunbrite 23” HD LCD TV (2310HD)

The first TV that grabs my attention is the Sunbrite 2310HD. This Grey-finished 720p lcd TV boast a high definition display and built in speakers which come in handy. The exterior and screen is protected from dirt, insects, scratches, dings,  and those heavy summer showers. This LCD screen may be on the small end, but it is sure to catch that game winning home run or last second field goal.  $1,995

Sunbrite 55” HD LCD TV (5510HD)

Going Big. This beautiful TV will not only impress you, but entertain your guest for hours. At true 1080p resolution, the high definition LCD screen looks absolutely amazing. Built with an automatic cooling fan and thermometer, this TV can survive extremely harsh weather.  $7,995

MirageVision 47” HD LCD TV (Not available)

Snow proof. That’s right, I’ll say it again. Snow proof. This outdoor TV is also sleet and waterproof while boasting 1080p resolution. Another nice feature on this TV is the anti glare screen. For this price, you will not find better quality for the buck. This TV is loaded with options and has a very sleek look.  $3,950

http://www.sunbritetv.com/

http://miragevision.com/

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When the discussion of swimming pool maintenance comes up, often times the pool furniture is overlooked – Don’t get caught with your pool furniture straps down! Outdoor living spaces have become very popular.  The casual furnishings that decorate these outdoor areas are quite durable, but need regular maintenance to look their best.  When dirt and residues are allowed to set metals corrode, vinyl straps and fabrics may discolor.

Furniture Inspection

Outdoor furniture should be inspected on a regular basis.  A thorough inspection and inventory should be done at least twice a year, once in the spring, before the heavy use season begins and again in the fall after the heavy use season.  Look for worn or broken strapping, scratches, broken or damaged parts.  Order replacement parts early to allow plenty of time for repair.  Keeping your furniture in good working condition can extend the life of your furniture as well as prevent possible injury to a resident.

Schedule a thorough “spring cleaning” of your outdoor furniture at the beginning of each season.  Wash your furniture with a solution of mild detergent and water, apply with a sponge, rinse and allow to dry thoroughly.  Be sure to check all nuts, bolts and screws and tighten any that are loose.  Replace any missing, broken or rusted fasteners.  Lastly, lubricate all hinges and wheels with a silicone lubricant, and avoid oil because it tends to cake and attract dirt.  Don’t forget about your outdoor furniture located in picnic areas or common areas around your community, they need the same care and inspection.  Additional care depends upon the type of material the furniture is made from.

End Of Season Storage

It is essential to remove stains and dirt before storing outdoor furniture.  All furniture and cushions should be completely clean and dry before storage. Climate-controlled storage is not necessary, but care should be taken to avoid damp, dirt-filled areas that could produce mildew and insect damage.  Furniture can be stacked and protected with plastic.  Cushions should be completely dry, wrapped in plastic and stored in a weatherproof area.

If you will be restoring your outdoor furniture you should look at some of the new textured paint finishes and soft matte finish vinyl’s to give your existing frames a new look.   Just Remember – DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH YOUR STRAPS DOWN!

Susan Leigh

Winston Contract Outdoor Furniture

sleigh@winstoncontract.com

In the market to buy high quality, long lasting outdoor furniture for your home? Here are some points to consider:

1. Specialty patio stores, department stores and full-line furniture stores are the best places to look

2. Make sure all of the metal frames are created from aluminum and NOT steel (steel will rust, aluminum will not rust)

3. Take the “thump test”. Good quality, heavy wall aluminum frames will have a “thud” sound when thumped.  Cheap, thin wall aluminum frames will have a “tink” sound when thumped

4. Are the fabrics truly outdoor fabrics? Have the fabrics  been “UV” Tested?

5. Sit in the furniture- is it comfortable and roomy?

6. Notice the cushions- do they feel really light and too soft? If so, they are made only with fiber which will flatten or “pancake” in no time, leaving you with a saggy cushion that is uncomfortable

7. Look at the foot glides and any end caps that fit into the metal end cuts. Do they match the frame finish? Quality manufacturers will match these to the frame finish

8. Are the furniture legs supported by braces? When you sit in the furniture do the legs “walk” or tend to spread out? Braces will eliminate this design defect

9. If nuts, bolts and washers are used, are they stainless steel or regular steel? Stainless steel hardware is more durable and will not rust. Regular steel will rust.

10. TRICK- beware that some poor quality manufacturers will put steel rods into the aluminum frames to make the thin wall aluminum frame feel substantial. If this is the case, due to the condensation that naturally develops inside the hollow aluminum frames, the steel will quickly rust and the stains will seep out leaving stains on the furniture and the patio or deck surface.

Bottom line, looks can be deceiving. Some stores present some nice “looking” furniture but the quality is not as good as the quality of furniture you will likely find in specialty patio stores, department stores or full-line furniture stores. If you are in the market, consider one of the most recognized brands for quality, style and comfort- Winston Furniture. In business since 1975, Winston Outdoor Furniture has built high quality outdoor furniture for the enjoyment of leisure activity for families all over America and beyond. Visit our website www.winstonfurniture.com to view the entire line and to locate an authorized Winston dealer in your area and you’ll understand why all of our customers say “We love our Winston Furniture!”.