25 March 2010

New stuff in time for warmer weather

Spring is rumored to be here and that can only mean warm weather is just around the corner. Most parts of North America crawled through a pretty miserable winter, but the end is in sight.

So in anticipation of warmer weather, I came across two new products that scream summer to me.

First up is a new tile series from Hastings Tile and Bath. What's tile have to do with summer? Well, take a look.



Hastings' PLI series looks like distressed wood even though it's made from porcelain. There are three colorways available; white, black and brown. There is a natural variation in each piece and it does look for all the world like wood decking. The big difference is that it's very nearly permanent and is wear-rated for heavy trraffic areas and can withstand even commercial uses. It's also made from 40% pre-consumer ceramic recycled content by weight.

The PLI series is available from Hastings' New York or Chicago showroom or through any of their authorized dealers in the US.

Second up is another beauty from Stone Forest.



That's carved from a single piece of marble and comes in either Silver Travertine or Travertino Romano. It's as much a piece of sculpture as it is a piece of furniture. It can be used indoors or out and if anybody want to make me really happy on my birthday in May, I think this would do it.

Check out the rest of Stone Forest's wonders on their website here.

Summer will be here eventually. Right?

21 comments:

  1. The lounge chair is striking - I have a couple friends making these in custom concrete - very similar profile. One even has heating coils in it! Talk about lounging...

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  2. The shape of that lounge is indeed striking. The idea of a heated version of this made from concrete is almost too much to ponder. Sign me up!

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  3. Double yummy --I love the idea of a porcelain pool deck.

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  4. "if anybody want to make me really happy on my birthday in May, I think this would do it."

    How about a cake instead?

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  5. Only if it's a marble cake. Hah hah!

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  6. Hmm, now the question is.. would it be possible to make a cake that looked like real marble.. *ponder* That sounds like a challenge to me!

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  7. You're just the woman to pull it off Lisa. Oooops. can I call you that here?

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  8. Lol, yes, just don't give away *all* my secrets :P

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  9. All that goodness is making my head spin.

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  10. Nim: I promise.

    Raina: Your expansive patio needs those chaises.

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  11. I wonder how they would stand up to our Canadian winters? I have an inground pool and would be more than willing to test-drive the productS for them. Chair included. -Brenda-

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  12. You have an in-ground pool? You're in Ottawa, right?

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  13. Yes, on both accounts. -Brenda-

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  14. I've always been curious about how much time you get out of an in-ground there? What months do you usually have it open?

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  15. Oh Lord, tough question as much depends on how quickly things thaw. Even though ours is a Southern exposure and our Winter temperatures were somewhat mild, we still have ice on it. On the average though I think I can safely say we get about four months of usage. (Mid May to August, sometimes to mid September.)
    -Brenda-

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  16. The last time I was up at "our Lake" in Ontario it was during a US Labor Day weekend a couple of years ago. My nieces wee harassing me endlessly because I wouldn't go swimming with them. I'd been in Florida for years already at that point and I swear that lake water was 50 degrees. And that was in early September!

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  17. Ours is a heated pool Paul and still you will not find me in it come September. If you really want an experience, you must try swimming in one of our Rivers as now you are talking cold!
    Lakes are generally much warmer. -Brenda-

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  18. Oh I've been canoeing in the Ottawa River, I know just how cold that water is, even in the middle of summer!

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  19. As it is 12 F degrees here today; make that three months of swimming. At this rate of going I may have to get the 'flame throwers' out, to thaw out our pool. :) HAVE A GREAT DAY! -Brenda-

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  20. 12?! OK, I will stop complaining about our "cold front" then.

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Talk to me!