Styleture

The first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere falls on June 20th or 21st, the longest day of the year. But that’s just a technical date. For many, the first day of summer is all about a feeling: that seasonal and instinctual shift when we’re inspired to do things like swim day-in day-out, head to the cabin, go camping and generally spend copious amounts of time outside and having fun.

Whether you’ve already experienced that seasonal shift, or are still waiting for Old Man Winter to be put to rest, the following home products are sure to help make every minute of this summer count.

CSL (Creative Systems Lighting) Splat

Whimsical and clever, this satin aluminum wall or ceiling mount is the perfect functional accent for pool areas you and your brood (plus friends) go to cool off or clean up. Eight inches in diameter, and wet-location listed, Splat by CSL is a great conversation starter for summertime guests. 120v 35w xenon lamp standard.

CSL (Creative Systems Lighting) Splat

Stone Forest Vesta Fire Table

Who wants to sit indoors when you can toss back a few beers and share some laughs around an outdoor fire. The Vesta Fire Table’s granite top and stainless steel base provide a safe, sturdy and eye-catching vehicle for producing warm outdoor flames. It includes a blue/gray granite slab with contrasting polished top and chiseled sides, stainless steel base and a match lit trough burner kit.

Stone Forest Vesta Fire Table

Zephyr Willow

If you are looking for an outdoor insert hood that stands the test of time, look no further than Zephyr’s Willow. Made from 316 stainless steel to prevent corrosion – even the baffles are stainless for easy cleaning. Available in steel with powder coat protection and in 36, 42, 54 and 60 inch sizes with optional liner.

Zephyr Willow

Corbett Lighting St. Tropez

Like its sunny Cote d’Azure namesake made famous by Brigitte Bardot, Corbet Lighting’s St. Tropez evokes old world charm with its curvature and intricate design. The fixture features classic wrought iron in a bronze finish that is offset with dangling crystals to produce a dazzling hanging pendant or wall-mount lantern. With options as varied as one-, two-, four- or nine-lights, St. Tropez is well suited for supping or lounging al fresco.

Corbett Lighting St. Tropez

Corbett Lighting St. Tropez

Native Trails Grapes

Most sinks are selected for their durability and functionality, since they serve as command central for kitchens. In addition to the aforementioned, Native Trails’ sinks sport recycled content, artisan craftsmanship and handsome looks. Grapes, a hand hammered, undermount sink featuring decorative grapes along the interior, is a wonderful addition to a deck or bar. It makes outdoor summertime entertaining essential and can be specified in antique, natural copper or brushed nickel finishes.

Native Trails Grapes

Native Trails Grapes

When man discovered the controlled use of fire during the Early Stone Age, roughly 790,000 years ago, he never could have imagined that the future of controlled fire was going to be so darn beautiful. Modern outdoor fire tables, designed to be an eye-catching focal point, create warmth and entice social gathering in the yard, are a decidedly hot trend in home design. Our Styleture editorial team members have long been fans of fire tables and we’ve been keeping our eyes out for the hottest ones on the market. Okay, now we’ve used “hot” and “hottest” in a fire table blog, so that means it’s time to get to it. Here are our five favorite outdoor fire tables:

Bond Newcastle Propane Gas Fire Table

The Bond Newcastle Propane Gas Fire Table

This beauty has a stacked faux-stone base and marble tabletop with a wide border for plates and drinks. Its center cover opens to reveal lava rock and open flame. Puts out 30,000 BTU’s for lots of warmth on the deck or patio. A stainless steel burner with push-button igniter allows for easy starts and maintenance. Measures 35 by 32 by 24 inches. Read the rest of this entry »

Bamboo is making quite a name for itself as an eco-chic material used in the contemporary bath environments of discerning homeowners. Bamboo’s environmental benefits stem from the fact that it can grow and spread quickly without the need for much water or care. A bamboo grove can release 35 percent more oxygen into the air than a similar-sized lot of trees, and it matures within seven years as opposed to 35-plus years for trees. Furthermore, bamboo can yield 20-times more timber than trees planted in the same-size area. With a heightened awareness among consumers to be green in their bath environment, bamboo is undeniably a great design resource. Of course, bamboo would never fly in the bathroom if didn’t look beautiful, too – and that it does. The Styleture editorial team has zeroed in on some of our favorite bamboo products for the bath:

Xylem Bambu 36″ Vanity in Dark Bamboo

The Xylem Bambu 36" Vanity in Dark Bamboo

The eco-renewable bamboo veneer is the starting point for this versatile and fresh design vanity. Highlighted with natural bamboo accents, it can be wall mounted or floor-standing using either of two floor stands that provide comfortable heights for vessel applications or under-mount lavatory installations. Read the rest of this entry »

Shia LaBeouf

Success is not easy to come by in Hollywood; millions of hopefuls try, but only a fraction of a fraction actually succeed. There is no doubt that Shia LaBeouf, 25, star of hit films such as “Transformers”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “Eagle Eye” and “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps”, is breathing in that rarefied air of success that so few will ever get to experience. With such success comes all the perks including the seven-figure salary and the palatial movie star home; not long ago, LaBeouf plunked down $1,825,000 for a 2,463 square foot bachelor pad in Sherman Oaks, California. Read the rest of this entry »

Greenbuild 2010

The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo– taking place November 16-19, 2010–is the world’s largest expo dedicated to green building. Each year thousands of building professionals from all over the world come together for a  few days to take part in networking events, green building tours, educational sessions, listen to renowned speakers and to see all the latest innovations in eco-friendly building products. This year’s event will be returning to Chicago, IL at the McCormick Place Convention Center, the site of Greenbuild 2007. Chicago is a fitting location for such an event as the city is home to more LEED-certified buildings than any other and has shown a true commitment to a greener future.

If you plan on attending the event this year we’d like to give you a heads up on a few products you’ll want to keep an eye out for and a couple events worth checking out.

Caroma USA  – Booth #1601
Caroma is among the world leaders in quality and innovative eco-friendly bathroom products. In 1982, Caroma revolutionized water conservation by introducing the first dual flush toilet system. This year they will be displaying a collection of products that are sure to continue their tradition of innovative water conserving bath products. In addition to the products that will be on display, Caroma will be conducting a fun promotion involving the giving away of iPads, iPods and a variety of other prizes. For details visit www.caromausa.com/greenbuild. Among the products on display will be the Sydney Smart 305 One-Piece Toilet and the Caroma Flow Showerhead.

Caroma Sydney Smart 305 One-Piece Toilet

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French Rosette Fountain

Antique columns and urns, wrought iron railings, topiaries and finials are just a few of the pieces that lend age to a new garden. However, to really complete the look – every traditional English garden, Spanish courtyard and French Villa needs a fountain as its focal point.

Stone Forest’s Old World Collection features several vintage-style fountains which provide the perfect accent to everything from the Victorian to the English Manor. These are the type of fountains best used amongst formal terraces and layered hedges to create an established, romantic and radiant outdoor setting.

Provencal Fountain

Stone Forest’s Provencal Fountain is typical of an 18th Century watering trough and adds stately elegance and ambiance to any outdoor space. It is available in two pieces at 36” tall or in three pieces at 60” tall. For larger outdoor areas, their French Rosette Fountain is hand carved from solid rose granite and is made up of 12 separate pieces of granite, which should be assembled and joined by a stone epoxy. Other fountains in their Old World Collection include the Alpine Planter and classic Three Tier Fountain with pool surround.

Three Tier Fountain

Stone Forest uses natural materials to create items that evoke the feeling and tranquility of the outdoors. The company offers collections for the landscape, garden, kitchen and bath. All Stone Forest products are made using a form of a natural element, such as granite, copper, bronze, onyx, marble or iron. By using a hammer and chisel, the individual character of the rock, as well as the inspiration of the stonecutter, lend each sculpture a unique quality. Stone Forest’s collections are the perfect addition to enhance residential, hospitality and commercial properties.

Sienna Benches

An indispensable element for enjoying the garden on a particularly splendid day, the garden bench has been given an extra dose of style. Now in an array of different designs and intriguing natural materials like basalt, travertine and even sustainable hardwood – a good bench can transform any area from drab to fab. Here are a few benches from boutique design studio Stone Forest:

The contemporary Sienna Bench in silver or beige travertine are slabs cut from large masses of natural stone with a clean and contemporary Italian style. The integrity of travertine gives Stone Forest carvings a radiant mass or presence not realized using man-made materials such as cement or cast stone.

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