THE SWEET ESCAPE
WARM TEMPS AND AMPLE SUNSHINE HAVE US DREAMING OF SPENDING SUMMER DAYS—AND NIGHTS—IN THE OPEN AIR. HERE ARE THREE OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS WAYS TO DO IT.
Warm temps and ample sunshine have us dreaming of spending summer days—and nights—in the open air. Here are three of the most luxurious ways to do it.
AN OASIS OF ONE’S OWN Gloster’s Cradle daybed creates a stylish refuge hidden in plain sight.
The inspiration: “I wanted to make a small hideaway,” says designer Henrik Pedersen. “The mix of the rounded pill form and straight lines was optimal for the Cradle—somewhat square, but much more pleasing to the eye. The shapes of the ends serve an important purpose, to function as an angled backrest for a more upright position.”
Why we love it: The hamster-wheel shape is open on the sides but provides peekaboo coverage on the face, so it feels airy and secluded at the same time—an effect Pedersen calls “transparent space.” The slats play into the minimalist trend for clean lines, but they’re rounded to soften the look.
The materials: “Aluminum is often a good choice for outdoors—fairly strong and corrosion-resistant, but the powder coat is much nicer and more pleasing to the touch, a more tactile surface,” says Pedersen. “Mixed with [the natural teak] wood, it gives you a design with the best of both materials.”
Size up: “Even though outdoor is the new indoor, quite often you are dealing with areas on a much larger scale, so the design has to be able to adapt to a large scale, as well.” Starts at $13,275, Clima Outdoor, 3650 N. Miami Ave., Miami, 305-576-8181; climaoutdoor.net
PARTY ON
For the modular Escapade sofa with prints by Missoni, Roche Bobois has found a fashion brand that loves good-time colors as much as it does.
The inspiration: “Freedom!” says Zeno Nugari, a member of the Roche Bobois design team behind the Escapade sofa. “The goal was to create a sofa that is able to adapt to any situation, both indoor and outdoor, and with no compromise on comfort and design for the owner.”
Why we love it: Partyfriendly modular sofas aren’t new, but the idea of mix-and-matching pieces in different sizes and colors keeps things interesting. Plus, the pillows are placed on freestanding backrests that can be moved freely around the sofa. We’ll let you do the math on all the possible permutations.
Fab collab: “Missoni offers [the most] unique fabrics on the market,” says Nugari. “It is like a blossom with very warm colors, particularly adapted to the relaxed spirit of the Escapade sofa.”
Your favorite positions: “Unlike traditional sofas with fixed backs, the back cushions of the Escapade sofa can be moved,” Nugari says. “I want to be able to customize my comfort depending on my mood—[from] a straight sitting position when I am having a drink with friends up to a totally relaxed position when I want to read or rest.” Price on request, 450 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, 305-4441017; roche-bobois.com
ROMANCE ME!
Restoration Hardware has tapped the design star Barlas Baylar for his first outdoor collection, and the results are predictably stunning.
The inspiration: “Mykonos is known for its flat-roof cubic architecture, which is simplistic and humble with clean style,” says designer Barlas Baylar. “It is truly inspiring with tranquil and magical views [and] a relaxed, informal culture. Inevitably, my inspiration [came] while spending time in such an environment.”
Why we love it: Baylar is renowned for his live-edge dining tables, which sell for tens of thousands of dollars out of his Brooklyn studio, Hudson Furniture. But rather than do an obvious iteration for the outdoors, he has embraced natural materials in a different way with the Aviara daybed. The weathered teak is still the star, but so are the reams and reams of billowing fabric.
The materials: Baylar insisted on sourcing sustainably harvested teak—so you can clear your mind and your conscience.
Alluring geometries: “The clean lines are simple but charming and warmly enveloping,” says Baylar, who wants people to “nestle into the modern design.”
Inside versus outside: When designing for the outdoors, says Baylar, his focus was on “ensuring the harmonious coexistence of modern furniture and its natural surroundings— discreetly blending them [so] as not to distract from the beauty and tranquility of nature.” $6,795, 19575 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 751, Aventura, 305-935-1253; rh.com