Living the High Life Outdoors

If summer time’s calling you, why not answer in style from the luxury of your own backyard, settled in amid elegant outdoor digs? Summer Classics, a premier manufacturer of fine garden furniture and fireside furnishings, can bring you an outdoor living environment to rival any indoor room you might favor. They rise to any occasion – or season as the case may be – complemented by Winter Classics, a division of Summer Classics, which offers fire screens, fireside accessories and gas logs.

Summer Classics was founded on the principle that truly classic design, no matter how simple or elaborate, can and will be embraced for years. They aspire to create exquisite, timeless furnishings that offer a fresh level of sophistication and quality to outdoor living. “We are a high-end garden furniture store that’s capable of expanding your indoor living space into a very luxurious outdoor living space,” manager Tim Robinette says. “It’s just like adding another room to your house.”

But Summer Classics’ furnishings don’t necessarily have to be used outdoors. Many people opt to use their furniture and accessories on screened-in porches and in sunrooms. Megan Elliott, assistant manager, explains not only do they offer furniture, but Summer Classics also features a nice array of accessories such as outdoor lamps and rugs. These are complemented by a choice selection of antiques and reproductions of which they generally only buy one of a kind, from China, India and France, among other international locales.

If you’re worried about keeping the luxurious pillows, cushions and fabrics in all styles from traditional to transitional clean, don’t. Maintenance is a breeze. “These items can be rained on, snowed on, and cleaned up simply with a water hose,” Tim says.

Whether you need partial- or full-service design assistance, stop by Summer Classics’ 10,000-square-foot showroom to get started. The company encourages clients to use them as designers. This procedure means they come to your house, research what you want to do, and deliver a proposal. There’s a consulting charge, but of course if you buy from them it applies to your purchase. Tim and Megan also encourage designers to come in to shop for their customers and clients.

When looking at current trends, Tim points out that mosaic tables are hot this season with styles in concrete, glass and marble that range from simplistic to ornate. Also, the “all weather” wicker collections are very strong – and very attractive sellers.

Winter Classics turns your attention to the hearth – a home’s most central, romantic and engaging focal point. Nothing holds quite the same attraction in any room as a fireplace. Winter Classics is, in turn, a premier manufacturer of fire screens, toolsets, and fireside accessories that provide what they consider to be jewelry for the home.

Visit Summer Classics at 1308 West Morehead Street, or on the Web at www.summerclassics.com. They are open from 10 to 5 Mondays through Saturdays. You can also call 704-372-0095.