International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ / MMPI Announces Outdoor Living Trends and Show Details

CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market / Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) today announced new outdoor living trends and show details for the 2013 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™, Sept. 17-20, 2013, at the Chicago Merchandise Mart.

From modular deep seating collections and functional grilling stations to high-performance dining sets and aesthetically pleasing furniture accents, this year's show is poised to have the most prolific mix of innovative products to date.

The wide-ranging selection of outdoor furniture and accessories as seen at the show will enable retailers and dealers to pre-plan their 2014 inventories. As a result, consumers can look forward to redesigning their outdoor spaces in the new year.

Spacious Grilling Stations – Homeowners are looking for creative ways to upgrade outdoor patios with spacious cooking and grilling stations to suit their backyard entertaining needs. According to a recent outdoor living trends survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects, 74.4% of those who participated said additional counter space in outdoor areas is a priority.

The Big Green Egg Cooking Island, from Big Green Egg, provides ample storage space for grilling accessories, while the counter enables homeowners to comfortably prepare meals for backyard parties and gatherings.

Aesthetically Enhanced Furniture – Banding and bolsters are on the rise. Many consumers are looking for additional backyard space elements that reflect personal tastes and preferences. This includes choosing artistically enhanced outdoor furniture collections that can be customized to complement existing color palettes and accessories. For example, Skyline Design's Wilshire Chaise Lounger features a banded cushion of Sunbrella fabric and an exclusive, adjustable bolster, making it a product of "outdoor couture."

Low-maintenance Dining Collections – Low-maintenance dining collections are all the rage, and Telescope Casual Furniture is on the fast-track to paving the way with its Bazza Sling Dining Collection. "Now you do not have to choose between something very durable or something stylish, you can have both," says Adam Vanderminden, advertising director at Telescope Casual Furniture.

The Bazza Sling Dining Collection is constructed from Telescope's Marine Grade Polymer, a recycled high-performance plastic. It is cool to the touch on hot days, and the material is not porous, therefore it is mildew-and mold-resistant. 

Industrial-style Fire Pits – While traditional outdoor furniture and accessories never go out of fashion, contemporary, industrial-style designs are also taking their place in outdoor rooms. Outdoor fire pits designed with an industrial flair create the illusion of simplicity and sophistication for modern lifestyles, such as OW Lee's Aero Fire Pit. "We see this as a definite trend," says Leisa Rogers McCollister, marketing / project manager for OW Lee. The signature industrial-style oftentimes incorporates strong angular shapes, metallic colors and an overall sense of working practicality.

Modular Seating Units – Modular seating collections are well-suited for both contemporary and transitional-style settings, allowing for versatility. These types of seating options can be customized into a multitude of configurations, allowing homeowners to further personalize their outdoor areas.

Gloster's Casa Modular Set is an example of a modular seating unit. Its mix of bright, stainless steel accents with dark, metallic covering conveys an entertaining visual contrast that easily makes for a great focal point.

Functional Shade Accessories – Functional shade accessories play an important role for allowing homeowners to enjoy backyard spaces all year long and during the day or at night. The accumulating assortment of shade accessories ranges from high-end lighting designs and heating systems to protective shade covers and sturdy umbrella locks.

Lockdown Industries' Umbrella-Lok fastens umbrella stands to ground surfaces so umbrellas can withstand various weather extremities without blowing over or toppling. Designed to work with both wood and composite decks, the Umbrella-Lok is manufactured from UV-resistant materials and dismantles easily for storage.

In addition to new outdoor living trends that will be seen at this year's Casual Market, the show will unveil its redesign and renovation project for the 16th floor at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. This portion of MMPI's redesign plan was led by Cannon Frank, an award-winning design firm specializing in custom interior design that was recognized earlier this year as Chicago's Interior Design Firm of the Year.

The four-day trade show will kick off with an Opening Night "Backyard BBQ" Party in a fun and lively outdoor setting. Industry education seminars and the first annual combined International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) Awards Gala and Apollo Awards Banquet will also take place during the Casual Market.

The Casual Market, which is endorsed and sponsored by the ICFA, is 100 percent dedicated to the outdoor furnishings industry and encompasses 350,000 square feet of new and improved exhibit space with more than 45 permanent showrooms and nearly two hundred temporary exhibitors in the Market Suites. For more information about Casual Market, visit www.casualmarket.com.

Media Contact: Eberly & Collard Public Relations
Dominique de Bruin and Don Eberly
Phone: 404-574-2900

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SOURCE International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market