Three pros from patio furniture stores in Beulah, Petoskey and Suttons Bay tell us what’s hot this summer.

Who: Timothy Edge, senior designer + sales
 // Labadie’s Summer Place Casuals in Beulah

As an interior and exterior home designer, as well as a furniture designer, Tim is more than qualified to help customers find their perfect pool (or lakeside) furniture.

What’s hot in outdoor furniture?

In Northern Michigan, most people are seeking an outdoor furniture look that blends with our beautiful natural landscape—the woods and water. Nothing flamboyant. They want pieces that are ergonomic in terms of comfort and style. One company I would point customers to is Telescope Casuals. The furniture is made in America, good quality and a good price point. They have a wide range of styles, fabrics and finishes. Wicker is always popular because it looks both organic and cottagey, and is marine-grade polymer, which resembles wood. In aluminum-framed furniture, Telescope has a wide range of colors so you aren’t stuck with black or white. A shade called aged bronze, for instance, blends well with a wooded landscape.

Who: Jennifer Keiser, general manager
 + designer // Quiet Moose in Petoskey

Credit Jennifer’s exquisite design sensibilities to an art history degree from University of Michigan. And, yes, those sensibilities extend outside to the deck!

What’s hot in outdoor furniture?

We do a lot of work with Lloyd Flanders and Woodard. Both are Michigan companies. All the furniture at Bay View (the Victorian cottage community on the north side of Petoskey) and many other associations have Lloyd Flanders wicker that is generations old.

For people who don’t want that traditional wicker look, vendors are adding some great transitional and modern designs. One of my favorites is Lloyd Flanders Tobago collection because it can be used with lodge or cottage-style homes to give a fresh look with much comfort.

Tommy Bahama, from Lexington, is another great line we carry. They’ve got some really great transitional looks with fabulous fabrics. For transitional homes the stainless steel and lines of the Très Chic line are hot.

No matter your style, here are some tips to keep in mind: Texture is important. There are great vinyl products that look just like wicker, rattan, teak. Blend your outdoor furnishings with your indoor by keeping the finishes and fabrics neutral outside. We get a lot of winds from our lakes, so making sure your furniture has some weight is important. Pillows blow around, too. There are new frames out there with no pillows that are comfortable and have a lot of style. Foam seats are implemented under the weave.

Who: Dave Pobuda, sales manager // Edwards Home Furnishings in Suttons Bay

Dave has 28 years of experience selling
all types of furniture—and sitting on his own porch.

What’s hot in outdoor furniture?

I am a big fan of Telescope Casual—a made-in-America company that is 100 years old. I particularly like their marine-grade polymer. It’s a great product for outdoor use in Northern Michigan. The color is all the way through, so it doesn’t scratch or discolor, and it comes in all styles from contemporary to cottagey.

I also love Woodard. This Michigan company is 150 years old and still relevant. They are still doing the scrolling patterns forged from wrought iron, such as Briarwood, that most of us are familiar with, but they have many other styles now, and they have branched out into aluminum and woven outdoor furniture. Their products really hold up. I’ve had a couple of their spring chairs for over 15 years, and they are still in great shape.