Lounging Around In Comfort & Style

Yorkshire Post - 21st May 2007 - Life & Style Section: Homes

Interiors

Theres more to outdoor living than wooden benches and plastic chairs. Jamie Hempsall looks at the coolest seating this summer.

Gardens are the perfect place for partying or relaxing in the summer, however, in this day and age you no longer have to put up with an uncomfortable sun lounger to sit upon.

Continental culture has hit Britain with retailers realising that our garden benches should be soft and sumptuous, rather than hard and formal. Our days many not be quite as sunny, but with weather proof fabrics you do not have to spend all your time grabbing cushions inside or hiding your furniture under a cover.

Your garden makes a superb dining room, but also a nifty exterior sitting room. Why not shrug off the Great British reserve and tap into some of the stylish and exotic exterior sofas and chairs available to ensure your garden is cutting edge, fun and above all extremely comfortable?

For sheer indulgence you cannot beat lying around on a day bed, the perfect place for chatting or having a well earned siesta! Tesco Direct have a Chocolate Rattan effect sunbed (with cushions) that is perfect for two people at £250 (www.tesco.com 0845 600 4411). Alternatively, Marks & Spencer offer a round daybed in their Puccini collection with enough room for a small family and a natty canopy for extra shade – or privacy (£799 www.marksandspencer.com). John Lewis provide similar luxury with the Barlow Tyrie Dune Day Bed and Footstool in a number of colours for £1,395 (www.johnlewis.com).

If communal lounging is not your thing single seating comes in chic designs to suit all tastes. The Cordoba Sun Lounger from Lloyd Loom of Spalding (01775 712111) is the perfect place to relax in isolated splendour on a stunning “sunbrella” fabric covered cushion (£715). Two can recline in comfort with a place for drinks on the 3 piece Aluminium and Textelene lounger set from Tesco Direct (£130, as before). A traditional deck chair with a unique twist in the form of a Penguin Book Classic cover is available from Purves & Purves for £59.95, they have several titles and colours available (www.purves.co.uk 0208 893 4000).

Should you wish to sit, rather than lounge then an external sofa and chairs are the perfect solution. A smart and comfortable rattan effect suite is available from the Marks & Spencer Puccini Collection as a five piece set, including coffee table and all weather cushions, for £999 (as before). The Barlow Tyrie Arizona Range from John Lewis in Paris Red is sure to add iconic modernism to your garden with a stunning red and brown combination from £381 (available to order). Classic chic is available in the form of the Cordoba sofa and chair range from Lloyd Loom of Spalding from £375 (as before).

For funky and fun solutions, consider the marvellous Ball chair in white or black from Purves & Purves at £129, the antithesis of formal seating. Star struck lovers are also sure to fall for the Bocca Sofa and Kiss seat re-issues of the 1970s classic design by Heller, also available from Purves & Purves (from £620). The High Street also come up trumps with the John Lewis Lido range which includes all weather bean bags at £60 and a great UFO Folding Garden Sofa at £80.

Now where is the sun cream….?

Jamie Hempsall is a leading interior designer, see examples of his work at www.jamiehempsall.com or arrange a visit to his “by appointment” showroom by calling 01777 248463.