By TAMMY M. SMITH
\nWith so many patio sets available in a range of sizes and prices – and with exciting new bells and whistles – the outdoor chef will want to find a setting to show off those steaks, chicken and fun, fruity drinks.
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\n“Cast aluminum is what people want now,” said Carolyn Braden, owner of Carolyn’s Patio Furniture in Gulfport. “The high-backed aluminum sling chairs are very popular – anything that requires little upkeep.”<\/p>\n
When buying a patio set, consumers can choose their chair combination: All stationary, half stationary and half swivel-tilt, or all swivel-tilt.<\/p>\n
“We usually do two swivel-tilt and two stationary,” Braden said. “Often, older people will prefer the stationary chairs.”<\/p>\n
Customers usually prefer darker frames, but the pecan shade is also popular, she said.<\/p>\n
To shade the table, umbrellas usually come in two styles – market or standard. The standard umbrella is the familiar petal-shaped one, while the market umbrella has vents at the top. That’s a plus in breezy locations.<\/p>\n
“When you have strong breezes, the vents help keep the umbrella in place,” explained Braden.<\/p>\n
Like dining outdoors after the sun sets? You don’t have to be in the dark.<\/p>\n
Braden offers a candleholder with a round globe that clips onto the stem of the umbrella. With a citronella candle, you have the combination of bug banishing with a light source in a convenient location.<\/p>\n
Drew Adams of Patio-Deck & Casual Furniture in Gulfport offers electrical lighting that attaches beneath the umbrella.<\/p>\n
He agrees that cast aluminum is the dominant trend in outdoor furniture.<\/p>\n
“It’s doing very well,” he said. “People are also getting away from glass tops and going more for mosaics and stone.”<\/p>\n
Another popular look is the “grass” umbrella.<\/p>\n
“They are the hot thing this year. I can’t keep them in stock,” Adams said.<\/p>\n
Want to really impress your guests? Flames are always good for “oohs” and “aahs.” Adams demonstrated one table with a large center holding a shallow bowl of glass chips and colored stones. When he flicked a lighter, a slender flame appeared in the center of the chips (a small butane tank beneath the table feeds the fuel). The table can also be equipped with a small grill in the center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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