DECORATING OUTDOORS WITH ADIRONDACK STYLE FURNITURE

The Adirondack chair is an outdoor easy chair with a slanting back and a seat made of wide, usually wooden slats. This chair is just as likely to furnish a California garden or the porch of a Texas ranch, though its name pays respect to the Adirondack area of New York State.

The beautiful Adirondack Mountains stand in a corner of New York State, far away from the big city. Camp Pine Knot, the very first Adirondack Great Camp, was constructed by William West Durant in 1876, and so began the creative idea behind the “camping” trend. In 1901 Durant was forced by financial reasons to sell his camp, and Alfred G. Vanderbilt bought it.

Early Adirondack camps were made for leisure and enjoyment al fresco. Guests anticipated using up a good portion of the day discovering the forest with a local guide or navigating the lakes and streams in canoes and sailboats during their summer long escape from the city. More laid-back pursuits might have included an afternoon lounging in the nearest hammock, taking in the fresh air that was believed by many to be a healing stimulant.

The uncomplicated wooden Adirondack chair mirrors the region’s rural appeal; some experts think the form might be a version of the Westport chair – a comparable lawn chair created by an Adirondack vacationer around 1900. The chair was designed by Thomas Lee, but was patented, without permission, by his friend Harry Bunnell in 1905. Adaptations of Lee’s imaginative design were manufactured over the years in several different types of wood and finish types. Collectors of Adirondack chairs tend to favor vintage pieces that have weathered many seasons outdoors.

Wooden and plastic Adirondack chairs are maintenance-free for the outdoors and built to last a lifetime. Plastic chairs are crafted from a recycled polymer, and are unaffected by sun, rain, snow, even chlorine and saltwater. The hardware used is stainless steel and the chairs have solid color throughout. Choose from different color options and enjoy your Adirondack chairs year-round.

The inside of your home is elegantly decorated in your favorite style; why not treat your exterior with Adirondack furniture and accessories that will be comfortable as well as beautiful? Do you like to entertain outdoors? There is a broad selection of Adirondack tables and chairs that create the perfect party mood. Selecting the correct furniture for your patio is an important decision.

Outdoor workhorses, Adirondack chairs offer tried-and-true comfort and wistful forms. However, they can be a bit boring. To up the personality quotient of your Adirondack furniture, here’s what you need:

Unfinished Adirondack chair
White primer paint
Exterior latex paints in red, white and blue
Paintbrush
Medium-grit sandpaper
Polyurethane
Sheets of thin-gauge metal
Small nails
Hammer

Instructions

Coat the chair with white oil-base primer and allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Paint the slats and the armrests red, white and blue and let them dry.
With medium-grit sandpaper, sand the paint from the edges and other surfaces to give your chair a century-old patina look.
Protect the finish with a coat of polyurethane.
Cut free-form stars from the metal and attach them to the arms and seat with small nails.

How to Buy Outdoor Furniture

You want to take it outside when the weather turns warm and inviting. Here are the steps:

Just as you would do inside, match the furniture to your style.
Be practical about your price range.
Look at different materials and how they suit your garden and your style.
Get made-for-outdoors seat cushions that resist mildew, sun fading and tearing; filling should be a polyester material that does not take in water and dries quickly.
Test the furniture prior to buying.
Get a large enough table for your needs and space.
Add in a classy-looking umbrella for protection against sun and rain, and to string lights in for evening parties.

Cottage Style – The Newest Craze in Interior Decorating

For good reason, the cottage look in home decorating is hot today. Cottage style is perfect for do-it-yourself home decorators. Start with a dream cottage in mind. Here are some different cottage styles – you can of course mix and match – and some decorating ideas that echo their distinct character:

Rustic camp – this can be furnished with outdoor Adirondack chairs with cushions and knotty pine bookcases and cupboards
English country – the main theme is flower-patterned – fabrics, wallpaper and rugs
Beach house – natural materials and light colors create images of sea and sky
Farmhouse – minimalism is the standard for a farmhouse look
French country – plain furnishings accented by vivid accessories create a French country theme
Victorian – large numbers of handy and pretty accessories help create the Victorian look

The “Cabin Look” Transports The Out-Of-Doors Inside

Frequently referred to as the “cabin” or “lodge” look or “Adirondack style,” there is a great deal of emphasis nowadays on an out-of-doors, country approach to decorating. A wallpaper border is an excellent start when looking for a theme because it serves as an inspiration for accessorizing and can be easily changed when a new decorating scheme strikes your fancy.

Do you need to furnish your new home but the funds remaining for interior decoration are so stretched you can’t squeeze a nickel between the paycheck and the checkbook? Then bring the outdoors inside! Here’s how:

A rustic picnic table makes a great dining room table
Wooden Adirondack chairs can be painted in bright colors and brought in. Just add matching pillows
Small wooden garden benches make great coffee tables
Resin Adirondack rockers would be a bright addition to any room

Bringing the Indoors Out

Who says you can’t have a room outdoors? Follow these tips to create a country “living room” in your own backyard:

Begin with furniture that’s meant for outdoor use. Adirondack chairs painted with exterior latex paint are very suitable.
Accessorize the furniture with comfortable seat cushions and pillows.
Use appropriate accents, such as antique pitchers filled with wildflowers.

About The Author:
Astrid Bullen is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.affordableadirondackchairs.com. A great online source for Adirondack Chairs and accessories.

For more information on Adirondack Chairs.

::adCenter::