In this blog series dedicated to a dear interior designer friend, Scott “Liquid” Gold, I have to give a big shout-out to the quite successful Casual Market Atlanta in July! And now we’re at the halfway point to the next Casual Market Atlanta in September! (This means if you’re having shopper’s remorse because you didn’t order that item — now you get a second chance, and soon!)
In another life, I was the editor of Casual Living magazine from May 2016 to December 2018. The casual furnishing sector is a friendly, close-knit community. Some family-run manufacturers and retailers date back to the start of Casual Living in 1958, a time when designers in the U.S. started leading the way with modern wicker and synthetic resin pieces.
During the time I covered the outdoor category, Casual Market was held in Chicago at the Merchandise Mart. But I must say that I truly enjoyed the light, airy, energetic appeal of AmericasMart; I think having the Atlanta Market happening at the same time brought new traffic to the casual showrooms.
And I’d like to thank everyone who warmly welcomed me back to covering the category! It was such a wonderful homecoming. Case in point: Steve Elton, Chief Brand Curator of Brown Jordan, and a legend in the casual industry. Steve, super congratulations on your upcoming induction into the American Furnishings Hall of Fame at October High Point Market!
I could blather on and on, or I could show you the cool, new outdoor products that really put the chaise in my chaise lounge…
A Bazza-illion Styles
A "Bazza-illoin Styles" is what you’ll get at Telescope Casual, a family-run company in business since 1903. (Its claim to fame is inventing the director chair.) When I was editor of Casual Living, I got to go to Granville, NY, and see the furniture being made at the factory. One of my favorite parts was when Telescope President Henry Vanderminden picked me up at the airport and told me stories of placing furniture for the Kennedy’s.(I believe it was Ethel Kennedy.) Now Telescope has a showroom by the escalators at B1 2-E14. Shown here: the stylish new Bazza Collection.
Cooler Foosball
One thing I love about this category is that it’s all about having fun in the great outdoors. And I also love finding innovative and unexpected products. At the new Murcano by American Eco-Living showroom (B1 6-C6), this portable foosball table beckoned me to spin the handles. Notice the bottle opener on the right, which signals a surprise — the game doubles as a drink cooler. Just open the top and — score!
Sit and Shade
Our publisher Susan Jones found her new two-seater sofa a MAMAGREEN (B1 3-C1). We got a sneak peek of this innovative collection, LaBuan, inspired by the idea of weighted wooden furniture, with elegant lines designed for a private yacht. We also love the combination of colors: baked clay, sage green and neutral beige. This sturdy, solid teak wood frame, with slatted bottom and back, is also available with shade, allowing for those Bohemian breezes to waft through. It’s like having a resort in your backyard.
Wugs and Willows
Speaking of weighted furniture, now we have a new product on the market: weighted outdoor pillows and outdoor rugs. (Yes, you do have to take the wind into consideration when designing that crucial “fifth room.” I’ve heard stories of heavy glass table tops being blown off roof installments — Thom Filicia, if you’re reading this.) Interior designer Whitney Atkinson is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Corpus Christi, TX, and she got tired of battling her outdoor rugs blowing around with the wind, her rug edges curling up, and her outdoor pillows ending up in the swimming pool. So she created Wugs: Weighted Rugs by Whit. Brilliant!
Looking So Indoor!
In the Southern Home Outdoor showroom (B1 6-A8), note the comfort of these outdoor chairs — and I must say that the fully upholstered pieces are some of the most indoor-looking outdoor pieces I’ve seen. Part of the Jordan Collection, the club chair is made of marine-grade hardwood with an outdoor fabric slipcover. Also available in a swivel model, it’s recommended for covered porches. (My sincerest thanks to the owner, Tommy Clement Jr., and the Southern Home team for being my “security detail” walking back to the hotel after the ICFA’s Awards Gala. What a fun night!)
Estate-Inspired Outdoor
Let’s end on a dream at Park Hill Collection and their new cast aluminum park bench, fit for an estate in the French countryside. President Randy Wells said the new outdoor piece is durable enough to “sit it in Miami Beach in the sand and come back in a year and it’s the same.” With a history of producing indoor collections inspired by English and French country estates, the company is using this park bench as its first foray into an all-outdoor product line. “We want to participate in this outdoor industry in a meaningful way and make things that people are proud of,” Wells said. “In my experience with outdoor, I have a love affair with building things that last, and wood’s my favorite thing, but outside, aluminum is hard to beat.” Available in Palm Island Green and Hydrangea White, the new bench is ready for its bridal portrait. What’s next? “Big, beautiful planters.”
And I'll leave you with ...
Best Casual Market Atlanta Shoes: Goes to ANDMORE's new CEO, Jonathan “Jon” Pertchik, who expertly coordinated his cool sneakers with the Casual Market Atlanta colors and logo.
