BRING A BREATH OF FRESH AIR TO OUTDOOR DECOR
Tips for keeping exterior furniture looking its best, making the most of small balconies, and more
Janice Simonsen is a design spokesperson for Ikea North America — a role she has held for more than 19 of the almost 25 years she has worked at the company. Simonsen works to raise visibility for the Swedish home goods giant’s products and is up on emerging design trends and new collections.
Simonsen started her career as a graphic designer and went on to own an interior design business after studying interior design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Simonsen chatted about summer entertaining and outdoor living, also discussing new products for this spring at Ikea for small balconies and large patios alike.
Q I’m trying to lighten up my entire home for the spring/ summer. What colours do you recommend for this time of year? Are there easy ways to freshen up your home without completely swapping out paint colours?
A It’s super-easy to freshen your home for the spring without a major price investment. I’m particularly fond of a warm, light blush pink for interior walls, but few colours say spring better than a light, muted green. Also, try swapping out any heavy curtains with light sheers, and removing rugs and leaving wood floors bare, or replacing with woven sisals.
Q How should you care for wood that you leave outside?
A Wood furniture should be brought inside at the end of the season, washed occasionally with mild soapy water, and re-stained once or twice a year to maximize the life span.
Q We have a set of rattan living room furniture that we would like to place on our covered outdoor deck. There is a roof overhead and two side windows plus an open balcony with rail. Can rattan withstand a bit of rain that may get in?
A Yes. As long as the rattan is protected from the elements, it should be able to take a little moisture. Once or twice a season, wipe it down with linseed oil and let it sit until no more oil is absorbed, then wipe away any excess. This will help protect the material.
Q How do you recommend cleaning outdoor cushions that get stained by pollen?
A I’d try a mild soap with a damp cloth, but most manufacturers will provide cleaning instructions. Wiping down daily should help.
Q Can you wash the covers of the cushions on your furniture?
A I’d check the instructions that come with all Ikea products, but many of the cushions come with removable, machine washable cushion covers.
Q Are most of your cushions and pillows made of a waterresistant, indoor-outdoor fabric?
A All of our outdoor cushions are intended for outdoor use, but occasional cleaning and off-season protection will extend their life span.
Q If you want to buy an umbrella for your patio that will withstand winds, what’s the best solution?
A Look for a base that allows for weighting with sand or water, but I would highly recommend closing the umbrella when winds are very strong or when not in use.
Q Are the things we have in America similar to what Ikea sells in Europe or are they specially designed for our homes?
A Most Ikea products are designed for all markets, but there are country exceptions. In the U.S., we tend to design our sofas a bit higher in the back and deeper in the cushions. We also tend to like darker coloured woods than other countries.
Q I am downsizing and have a plethora of fabric ( buttons, notions, patterns, etc.) that I would like to give away but don’t know where to start. Any ideas?
A I recently had the same issue when going through my late mother’s things, and she just loved textiles! I knew she would have wanted others to enjoy them also, so I asked a few teachers if they would like to have these items. I’m happy to say just about everything was grabbed up for a kindergarten “craft corner,” and I know this would have made my mother very happy.
Q Spring is here and this year I want to incorporate bird houses into our patio area. Are there some birds or bird houses that are better than others? A I’d place birdhouses far away enough from seating and eating areas. Birds can be messy! Look for a house that can open from the bottom or side so that it can be cleaned out and put away for the winter if you live in a seasonal climate.
Q Is there a trick to lighting outdoor spaces? I have a small patio, and I can’t seem to find the right combination of lighting (fixtures and mounted) to give off the right amount of light.
A You’re on the right track by looking at several different sources of light rather than trying to make one light do it all. A fixed wall lamp will give good general light, and a string of LED lights like Svartra, will set the mood for a romantic summer evening all by itself. Single lanterns are handy since they can be moved from place to place where light is needed.
Q I need some new outdoor furniture that will hold up over time but won’t break the bank. Do you have any suggestions for materials to look into or certain Ikea products that will do the trick?
A I think it depends what kind of material you’re looking for. A good choice might be the Själland table, which gives you a choice of durable eucalyptus as the table top, or aluminum for a maintenance-free material.
Q I have three kids and by the time spring/summer rolls around, our backyard becomes a mess with all of their toys. Do you have any recommendations for stylish storage options that don’t look like big, bulky boxes? A Some good storage solutions that are also easy on the eyes are the Hindö cabinet and the Äpplarö bench with a vertical wall panel for hanging storage. Also, storage benches are great because they provide multi-functional seating and storage.
Q I don’t have a backyard, only a small balcony. How can I make the most of my outdoor space?
A Even the tiniest balcony can use a small table and a couple of chairs that fold flat when not in use, like the Tärnö table and chairs. The Äpplarö bench with wall storage is another product that maximizes space by providing seating, bench and wall storage all in one.
Q I’m looking to outfit the outdoor space of my apartment with some sleek furniture for entertaining guests. Everything I’ve come across seems a little too family oriented. Any suggestions on styles, colours or materials that I should explore to complete my bachelor pad?
A I’m really loving the look of the Själland table and chairs in sleek aluminum. It’s got a sophisticated, contemporary design.
Q I have a small balcony I would like to decorate. Do you have any suggestions of what to do with a very tiny outdoor space? I want a good amount of seating but don’t want it to look too crowded.
A Benches like Västerön can provide a lot of seating without taking up too much space. Folding chairs that can be brought out when needed are another good idea. Outdoor runners and pillows, like Grenö and Sommar, really cosy up a space and can hold up to the outdoors.