CREATOR: Noel Price rests on his chair, which has been exposed to the elements for three years. Photo Jackie Russell.

SULTRY evenings demand an appropriate level of inactivity, such as alfresco dining and relaxed reclining while absorbing the sounds of summer.

Years ago outdoor furniture options were somewhat limited to that which the man of the house could knock together or conservative hardwood settings. Worse still, were those white plastic chairs seen in every inorganic collection with at least one broken leg.

Today’s homeowner has considerably more choice when furnishing their open-air retreat. Technology, thriving cottage industries and globalisation have all contributed to the Pandora’s Box of alternatives.

Shoppers are no longer restricted to what they can find in the weekly delivery of junk mail, nor do they have to spend their weekends on shopping safaris hunting down the perfect seat for a shady corner.

Investing a little research time on the internet, with the air-conditioning soothing the at-home consumer, soon reveals a world of choice from the contemporary to the classical.

Budget restraints are the only thing holding back shoppers from fulfilling their every desire.

Howick aficionado Noel Price has lived and breathed furniture all of his working life. He says some people are looking for a point of difference with their outdoor furniture, and he wanted to create something that could not be easily copied by cheap offshore manufacturers.

In 2005, developments from the super-yacht industry presented him with an opportunity he could not refuse. A company was manufacturing reticulated foam, which does not retain water and is anti-microbial. This was used for seating on luxury yachts and came with a price tag to match the technology. In a stroke of good fortune he met a fabric manufacturer with outdoor fabrics that are light-fast and won’t rot or grow mildew.

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CHILL OUT: An arc chaise longue makes relaxing an art form. Image courtesy of Solaire

Throwing a marine plywood frame into the mix stimulated Noel’s creative streak and he recognised the potential for top-end luxury furniture that could transform outdoor rooms from the ordinary to exceptional.

“I started on prototypes, did some sketches and worked out how to make the frame,” says Noel. “There was a lot of work involved because it all had to be marine grade stainless steel staples, thread, zips and waterproof glue.”

The furniture needed a design edge to attract the eye of well-to-do clientele, as well as provide the comfort and luxury they are accustomed to.

The domestic market limitations required an innovative approach and Noel launched his Solaire website to capture the great outdoor Aussie market. More homeowners across the ditch have the dollars to invest in quality furniture and their long hot summers are conducive to spending months outside.

“We tend to be naturally conservative here, but in Australia they are a little more out there,” says Noel. “There is also a bit more one-up-manship.”

With unique designs, Noel manufactures Solaire furniture to fit specific landscapes or restricted spaces such as apartment patios. Although contemporary fabrics are available, most people tend to select neutral tones to complement interior décor.

Of course not everyone has the luxury of lazing upon a chaise longue while sipping on cocktails, but it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the open air in style.

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BEACHED: Classic Cape Cod furniture is iconic in an outdoor setting. Image courtesy of Garden Pine Design

Cape Cod chairs, which are also known as Adirondack or Muskoka chairs, have stood the test of time. Home handymen may well have assembled these beauties, following in the carpentry footsteps of Thomas Lee who is reputed to have designed the chair in 1903.

When enjoying a lakeside vacation he needed some outdoor furniture for his summer home and apparently, like a typical dad, he tested the first designs on his family.

In New Zealand the design conjures up seaside images, but the straight back and seat were originally set at a slant to sit better on the steep mountain inclines of Lee’s summer surrounds. Wide armrests are a hallmark of the Adirondack chair, perfect for resting a cool gin and tonic.

As for the appropriate name, it seems no one really knows which is correct. Geography appears to dictate how the furniture is referred to, and who really cares, as long as those seated are having a good time.

For a more organic option, it is hard to surpass chunky macrocarpa outdoor furniture that would have put a smile on Fred Flintstone’s face. Numerous cottage industry manufacturers produce the heavyweight furniture, adding a rustically casual Kiwi ambience to outdoor living.

Some designs include curvaceous shapes that reflect the flow of the grain, which developed as the tree grew to maturity. Alternatively, there are sleek contemporary shapes with strong squared edges that suit structured landscapes.

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SOLID: Macrocarpa is the heavyweight in casual repose. Image courtesy of Woodcraft Creations

Macrocarpa is an exotic tree introduced to New Zealand by early European settlers. Farms were protected from damaging wind by macrocarpa shelter belts, and the durable timber was used for quintessential fence posts, railway sleepers and house construction. Most macrocarpa timber is felled from plantation forests.

COLONIAL: Wonderful wicker can be traditional or contemporary in a sheltered spot. Image courtesy of Origins Interiors

The beauty of the stocky outdoor furniture is its durability. Forget about paint or varnish — just enjoy the handsome silvery sheen the timber takes on as it ages gracefully.

Pretty cottage gardens may not be the height of fashion but it’s hard to deny the beauty of borders bulging with blooms. Traditional seagrass or wicker chairs add an air of colonialism our forbears and those with a passion for yesteryear have fondly embraced.

Environmentally aware shoppers should check the sustainability and ethical status of seagrass and wicker furniture before purchasing a perceived bargain. It’s frequently imported from Indonesian isles, which have some dubious practices.

Seagrass and wicker furniture can tolerate showers of rain but should not be left permanently exposed to harsh weather. A sheltered veranda surrounding a villa is the perfect setting for the natural materials.

A good scrub with a brush and a can of spray paint can easily change the colour from an old-school white to an outrageous red. Toss a pretty cushion on the piece and homeowners have a quaint resting spot where they can recover from a day in the garden. There are also natural brown and black washes for more subdued and ethnic effects.

The options are endless when looking for furniture to add flair and comfort to outdoor living.

Most of all — be daring, be original and be careful with your credit card details.