House Design

Submitted Varaschin at Casa Italia.

Inside Out design event

Relax on the sofa by the fireplace, cook a gourmet meal and enjoy it in the dining area with friends — and do it all outdoors.

Inside-out living is now one of the selling points for Florida home buyers and creating exceptional outdoor spaces is as important as interior décor. That’s why Miromar Design Center, in which 10 of 45 stores feature outdoor furnishings and accessories, is showcasing outdoor living at a two-day event on Wednesday and Thursday. Design consultations, seminars, demonstrations and refreshments in the participating showrooms are free and open to the public.

“Lanais in Southwest Florida aren’t occasional gathering places anymore. They are essential living space, so we need to furnish them with as much attention to detail, function and design as we do the rest of our homes,” says Ozzie Pancaro, owner of Casa Italia at Miromar Design Center in Estero. “Fashionable outdoor furniture such as the Varaschin Tibidabo collection can create drama in your outdoor space. High-backs give these pieces a ‘wow-factor’ but also add to the comfort.”

Outdoor furniture has evolved from what was once called “summer furniture” — the lounge chairs made of vinyl strips riveted to aluminum frames — to works crafted from exotic woods, head-turning fabrics and the latest technology for design, comfort and durability.

Vivian Armenti at the Henredon Interior Design Showroom will show a new WeatherMaster by Lane Venture outdoor collection, which features fully upholstered pieces with removable machine-washable slipcovers. Armentis says it “addresses the current trend in the marketplace that is moving towards more solid shapes and forms created with fabric rather than wicker or other mediums.”

Mark Fanta of Ralph Lauren Home is offering a new Maritime Outdoor Collection, which was inspired by nautical motifs and textures of seaside living. Tony Mammoliti will be offering mood enhancement with EcoSmart outdoor fireplaces.

“People instinctively gravitate towards the natural fire elements, every time we ignite our fireplaces it draws people closer to it and people love to hang out around it,” he claims. The EcoSmart fireplace, he adds, uses green technology and doesn’t require a chimney or gas line.

If you go

What: Outdoor Furniture Showcase with trunk shows and seminars

When: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday, June 22 and June 23

Where: Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Road, Estero

Admission: Free

Information: 390-8209

Schedule

Wednesday, June 22

11 a.m. “Uncovered: The Upholstered Garden.” Outdoor furniture designed with sophistication and built to withstand the natural elements will be presented by Deborah Grant of Lee Industries. Enjoy tropical mimosas and assorted mini-quiches in Angela Fine Furnishings.

Noon: “Let it Rain.” This is the first showing of a new outdoor upholstery collection from WeatherMaster. A light lunch, desserts and refreshments will be offered in the Henredon Interior Design showroom.

1:00 p.m.: “Double the Pleasure.” Back from the Milan Furniture Fair, Pancaro will present the latest pieces in the Varaschin collection. Joe Cooper from Over & Under Advanced Sewing in Fort Lauderdale will demonstrate custom upholstery products. Prosecco from the vineyards of Varaschin is part of the event.

2 p.m.: “Let the Sun Shine.” Chill with champagne and light refreshments as Michelle Simone, sales representative for Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils presents all-weather fabrics and furniture. There’s also a sneak peak at the new Lilly Pulitzer collection for Lee Jofa.

Thursday, June 23

11 a.m.: “What’s New: Outdoor Seating from Jardin de Ville.”

Noon: Trunk show premiering the Maritime Collection by Ralph Lauren Home. There’s a petite picnic lunch and refreshments in Ralph Lauren Home at Webster & Company.

1 p.m.: “McGuire Outdoor.” Collections showcase a diversity of material and style that is environmentally conscious – plantation grown teak, recyclable woven resin and powder-coated aluminum generated from 80 percent recycled content.” There are tropical-inspired drinks and refreshments under the umbrella at Baker.

2 p.m.: “Fun in the Sun.” Poggenpohl reveals its designs for outdoor living spaces in stainless steel and embossed wood grain finishes.

3 p.m.: “The Pursuit of Outdoor Luxury.” Fendi Casa showcases the Nicki Beach luxe outdoor collection.”

There’s Champagne and a “virtual tour” of the Lady Lara, the 94-foot custom yacht designed by Fendi Casa.

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