Just Married & Cooking

We had the pleasure of traveling to Italy last month and made some wonderful new friends. James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst, authors of Just Married & Cooking, were among the group of couples who ate and drank their way through Italy with us.

We shared our love of cooking (and grilling) while experiencing Italian traditions. We sampled local meats and cheeses, enjoyed a private tour of the local butchers personal prosciutto aging cave, savored the first tomatoes of the season with house made feta, and delighted in making pizzas in the wood fired oven. It was a memorable week and we continue to look for ways to recreate our Italian experience at home.

James and Brooke recently appeared on the Today Show to share some of their favorite recipes. We look forward to staying in touch and sharing tips on cooking. (And learning a few things about garnishes and presentation. Their meals looked gorgeous!)

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In the end, I couldn’t keep my competitive side down so I was sure to let them know that they may have a book, but I have my own line of Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs. (I think they were impressed or they faked it well. Probably the later.)

Trend in Upholstered Outdoor Furniture Takes Off

What’s the next big thing in outdoor furniture you may ask? We’re seeing the trend in upholstered outdoor furniture taking off!

Outdoor furniture designer, Richard Frinier, commented on the trend this spring in his interview with Elle Decor, stating “we’ve seen slipcovers and cushions, but there are companies now making fully upholstered furniture using completely weather-resistant materials. It looks exactly like indoor furniture.”

We agree. We’re watching some of the leading outdoor furniture brands, including LaneVenture and Lloyd Flanders, introducing more options for upholstered patio furniture that looks as though it should be inside the home. The breadth of style and fabric options has grown exponentially in the last year.

By using weather-resistant fabrics, which are durable, comfortable and washable, these fully upholstered outdoor furniture collections bring a new level of style and comfort to an outdoor room. Here’s a glimpse of some of the options from the leading outdoor furniture brands:
Lane Venture – Kelsey Collection

LaneVenture’s WeatherMaster Outdoor Upholstery addresses the current trend in the marketplace that is moving towards more solid shapes and forms that are created with fabric. Available in over 100 fabric options.

LaneVenture Kendall Collection

LaneVenture’s WeatherMaster Outdoor Upholstery Kendall collection offers stylish comfort and long-lasting durability. Available in over 100 fabric options.

Lloyd Flanders Sea Island Collection

Part of the Coastal Living collection, casual styling and billowy comfort are the pillars for the Lloyd Flanders Sea Island Collection. This refreshing collection brings casual elegance and indoor comfort to an outdoor room.

Most importantly, don’t let all of that fabric scare you. The slipcovers can be simply pulled off and thrown in the washing machine and air dried (do not throw in the dryer). We like Oxy-Clean when we wash ours. Cold water only and the fabric is good as new.

Outdoor Furniture & Decor for Summer

We are working with many clients to ensure their outdoor rooms are comfortable and stylish for summer gatherings. If you’re selecting new outdoor furniture, our number one piece of advice is to select pieces that are durable and fit your lifestyle. At Bay Breeze Patio, we carry outdoor furniture brands that stand behind their products with strong warranties.

We’ve also been suggesting little additions that go a long way in making your patio look great and feel comfortable for summer. Here are some suggestions:

Pillows. Add throw pillows and colorful outdoor cushions to make outdoor seating attractive and comfortable. Fabrics today are light years ahead of where they used to be. Today’s outdoor fabrics can be plush, velvety, suede-like and loaded with patterns and colors. Eye-catching throw pillows are an inexpensive way to change out the look of your outdoor furniture. At Bay Breeze Patio we stock fabulous throws from Elaine Smith, Lane Venture, Tran-Ocean, and Lloyd Flanders.

Foliage. Another way to enhance your outdoor space is to add foliage. Greenery makes a space feel inviting and can also provide shade to areas with harsh afternoon sun. We also recommend housing plants in ceramic or glazed clay pots, which are functional and attractive. If you are concerned about plant maintenance, we suggest silks. There are many options for silk plants and foliage that look as good as their living counterparts. While most silk plants are not made to be outside, they will survive a couple of years under cover.

Rugs. Another option is to add an outdoor rug. Outdoor rugs can help pull together an outdoor living area by “warming” up the floor, adding color and giving the feet a little comfort too. Outdoor rugs today can be so plush that they look like indoor rugs – but they can withstand the elements and simply need to be hosed down occasionally. We stock rugs from Capel, Trans-Ocean and Tommy Bahama.

Lighting. To avoid the “fishbowl” effect – you know, where you are sitting outside in the evening with just an overhead light and feeling like you are in a fishbowl – try an outdoor floor or table lamp. Today’s outdoor lighting looks like indoor lighting from the living room, but again, it can withstand the elements. And nothing warms up a room faster than a pretty lamp. At Bay Breeze Patio, we stock lamps from Kenroy and Summer Classics.

A little goes a long way. So start with a small space and a few items and you’ll quickly see and feel the difference.