WONDERFUL WICKER THAT WILL MAKE YOUR HEART BEAT QUICKER

Working with craftsmen and the machines in a workroom that has been making wicker and rattan since the Victorian era, Soane Britain has some incredible new rattan additions.  But beauty takes time and an exacting hand.  Making a sofa can take over a week. The casual lightness in the material adds an airy addition to any space. Soane's dedication to making their goods in Britain earned them the prestigious Walpole Award for Luxury Craftmanship in 2010. As you can see, there is no talent shortage in England, as founder and creative director Lulu Lytle designs everything and it is produced to perfecting standards. The quality as well as her creative eye are nonpareil.

The coral mirror with a radiating circular pattern

The Mortimer Table is a pedestal table reinterpreted in wicker with a strong silhoutte

The Armadillo Hanging Light with stepped-down tiers

The Daisy Hanging Light has wonderful presence

Their new classic Halma Man table also comes in rattan

Be your own Venus on The Half Shell in the Venus Chair. It is just magical.

The Carousel Chair with round back and ferris wheel effect

The Carousel Bar Stool

This lamp is very Moooi, taking one medium and creating an entire piece out of it. The malleable material looks so fresh and new in this old-timey table lamp form.

The Isis Chair with lattice detail on the sides

The Isis Coffee Table

SUN SALUTION: COMPLETE COVERAGE

Photo courtesy of Thomas Paul

Get out your sunnies! The weather has been hot, hot, hot. New York City just had it's third heatwave.  Thomas Paul's fab Jackie Sunglasses Case is just the thing to throw into your bag to easily access your shades to block the blinding rays.

 If you find yourself entertaining out of doors and want a shady spot, here are some chic outdoor umbrellas that won't break the bank.

 Photo courtesy of World Market

Coral and white make the Emberglow Timber Umbrella from World Market an easy fit for tropical lush settings.

Photo courtesy of World Market

Keep cool under The Lotus Umbrella in a chic ethnic orange and red fabric from World Market.

Photo courtesy of World Market

Catch some shade under World Market's vibrantly patterned Rio Outdoor Umbrella.

SITTING PRETTY

Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily

If you are planning on sunbathing this weekend, this is just the chair to take along. The teak Soleil Sling Chair from Serena and Lily in their cheery new demilune outdoor print will be around for years. Take it to the park, take it to the beach, it's a way to sit in style is never far from reach.

Photo courtesy of Milly

And after you go for a dip, grab Milly's mod Novo 5 Beach Towel for some more punch.

THE OUTOOR ROOM: VOTE FOR ELAINE GRIFFIN'S L'ORANGERIE IN LOWE'S DESIGNER CHALLENGE

The design notion of making your outdoor space as comfortable as your inside interiors is worth embracing. Now that warm days are here, don't you love the idea of spending as much time as possible out of doors? My friend Elaine Griffin is very good at creating said lush outdoor spaces, so it's a good thing she was selected tp participate in Lowe's Designer Challenge. Her space, entitled L'Orangerie, is perfect for an urban dweller's garden. Using lattice on the walls for texture, she created a charming enclave to spend time in nature. Incorporating flowering plants, outdoor lighting and a space to sit and linger, the area provides a transporting experience.

 I hope you will take a second to vote for Elaine's space on Facebook beginning tomorrow till June 5th. so she can donate the proceeds to Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club! Lowe’s will donate $25,000 for each of the designers’ charities, with the winning charity receiving an additional $25,000. The winning vignette will be selected by votes on Lowe’s Facebook page from Tuesday, May 22 to Tuesday, June 5. So head on over to VOTE ELAINE!

Photos courtesy of Lowe's

Elaine, sitting in her outdoor living room, ready for summer to start.

A little piece of outdoor heaven.  Blue walls, blooming trees and places to perch in an enveloping environment.

Elaine shows how easy it is to create a little getaway and enhance it with natural elements.

Outdoor furniture like this Blaney Chair has the scale of the classic Billy Baldwin Slipper Chair, just zshush it up with some bright pillows.

The master plan Elaine hatched to create her space was thorough and precise.

The Creative Components Elaine Used For Her Outdoor Room:

Valspar's Sky Space covered all the wood work for a cohesive effect.

 Ceiling Medallion

 Columns

Diamond Lattice

Concrete Urn

 Eastfield Coffee Table

Blaney Wicker Woven Chair

Allen and Roth Garden Seat