Best of the Best

When I’m looking for the best of the best for Mr. Porter, one place I like to go to is the Robb Report online.

It’s a great source for all things new & noteworthy especially for men with great style!

Tonight I was looking at the Robb Report’s The Best of the Best 2011 for advice on picking the best cigars. On occasions when the MR. is allll relaxed & enjoying a late evening out on the patio with friends, he loves to enjoy a really good cigar.

Shhhhh…..I want to surprise him to celebrate a recent accomplishment. Padron Family reserve No. 46 might be just perfect!  Hmmm, natural or Maduro?

Now, look at who else I found relaxing on the patio.

The incredibly talented outdoor furniture designer Richard Frinier and his Drift Collection. 

What a perfect combination.  I think the only thing missing from this fabulous setting is the MR. & Me, good friends, and the Padrons!

These beautiful sectional lounge chairs, matching ottomans, and cocktail tables also from Richard Frinier’s Drift Collection are produced from plantation-grown and weathered teak. 

I first wrote about Richard & his wife Catherine here.  Catherine Frinier is principal and managing partner of  FrinierAtelier and the Richard Frinier Collection.

Like I said, the best of the best!

Just one more new & noteworthy mention.

There is another MR. PORTER!

A fabulous website!

I loved reading The Report: High Flyers about ABC’s new show, Pan Am.

Grab your Samsonite & your Ray-Ban’s and before you go, enjoy Mr. Porter’s very swell video!

Inviting style indoors & out.

We are all beginning to feel & see a hint of spring from our windows.

Lonny

For some of us, dining outdoors is what we long for. Ask my bunch and they will all agree, if the sun is out, that's a good enough reason to fire up the Weber, walk the dog (again), head to the deck to study or to just relax with friends.

Lisa Warninger

 But because anything beyond a light breeze sends me back inside, I'm always looking for ways to bring nature indoors, especially to the table.

Lonny, I think.

I love a cloche filled with moss or just about anything green & growing! Last spring I showed you some clever examples of what you can put under these pretty glass pieces in "What's Under Your Cloche?" Here are some other beautiful ways to bring mother nature to the table.

Simple decorative touches like this gorgeous bronzed pomegranate vase/candle holder or this unusual bronzed branch flower vase, both from Bo-tan-ik, are perfect examples!

I adore this bronzed pomegranate salt & pepper set!

For a lighter touch, this etched botanical glassware serves a dual purpose holding simple glass votives.  I think that after dark, the etchings would be just beautiful!

And what could be more natural than these glass vases also from Bo-tan-ik, wrapped with natural Cyprus?

A birdsong from two sparrow paperweights, perfect for keeping paper goods in place when those breezy reminders of winter pay you one last visit! From my good friend Christina at My Sparrow.

The most impressive way to erase the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living is with the gracious, beautiful and practical designs of Richard Frinier.

Barcelona for Dedon by Richard Frinier

His sophisticated style adds instant al fresco glamour to any setting!

Andalusia for Century by Richard Frinier

His talents are matched only by his wonderful, insightful and humble personality.

Denpasar for Century by Richard Frinier

I discovered Richard Frinier last summer "On The Patio"

Just recently, Richard received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Casual Furnishings Association for his contributions to the casual industry as well as to his community.

  His lovely wife and business partner, Catherine, a luxury marketing publicist and event planner, stylized a memorable evening with a bash at the Mondrian, West Hollywood.  Family, friends, colleagues, clients, architects, designers, and curatorial friends, all came out to celebrate Richard’s 30-year career!

Here's to wishing you both, relaxing times together & continued success!

Lisa

On The Patio

Relax

Richard Frinier

When California based designer,

Richard Frinier

created his daydream daybed

in 2001, he never imagined

that, over the ensuing years,

his wavy, dream-like canopied design

would ultimately become one of the most

widely-copied iconic emblems of the quickly

changing outdoor furniture industry.

“It was designed as a place to dream,

or a private place to gather with friends,”

recalls Frinier, whose inspiration came from

his travels through Morocco during his youth.

As for the breezy fabric canopy resting
on four angled spear-like posts,
Frinier says that was intended to be
a bit more ephemeral.

“I wanted it to flow freely in the wind,
not to be a taut umbrella

but rather to add to the
earthly elements of sun and wind.”

“It's not so easy to travel anymore
so why not transform
your own home into a resort,”
says Frinier.


“Take a five-minute vacation in your own backyard
before you head out for the day.”

or stay home with Richard Frinier