Who is Parker James?

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Parker James is one of our favorite manufactures that we carry here at All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings.  Established in 2002, Parker James is already known for their unparalleled casual furnishing that all feature well-made and durable materials designed for luxury living.

Parker James prides itself on their stellar reputation as being one of the leaders in the industry by “seamlessly combining the best available materials and finishes to produce authentic, timeless furniture built to last”. Not only are the Parker James’ collections diverse and inspired from several places around the world, they are constantly updating their collections and adding new ones to ensure there’s a collection to fit everyone’s lifestyle.

The Parker James’ corporate office is located in Atlanta, Georgia with show rooms located in both Chicago, Illinois and China. Here are some of our favorite collections by Parker James:

The Alyssa Collection:  

Alyssa collectionThe Alyssa collection is among one of our best sellers.  Made with natural, all-weather wicker, hand woven over an aluminum frame, Parker James describes this collection as “a wicker collection with flare.”  The Alyssa collection features resin block feet and is a great collection for big or small sized patios and porches.

The Bella Collection:

Bella CollectionMeet the Bella Collection. Best known for its beautiful curves and tapers, the Bella Collection features an elegant design mixing both wicker and exposed aluminum. One of the most durable collections, the aluminum is stained to imitate mahogany wood. To top it off, Bella’s cushions are available in over 100 Sunbrella fabrics to ensure the best possible look for your outdoor space.

 The Calais Collection:

Calais WeatheredThe Calais Collection is one of Parker James’ most unique wicker collections. Made with long-wearing, UV-resistant resin strings, this collection is hand-woven into four inch squares creating great dimension and texture.  The Calais Collection features a rust-free aluminum frame and is great for places that endure a lot of sun.

Ready to purchase some new patio furniture that will last a lifetime? At All American Fine Outdoor Furnishingswe have a large selection of luxury patio furniture and patio accessories to turn your dream patio into a reality! All-American Fine Outdoor Furnishings is your source for great wicker and aluminum outdoor patio furniture covers! See our unmatched selection of outdoor patio furniture featuring wicker and aluminum furniture give us a call today to get started, 1.877.930.7070.

Four Outdoor Decorating Ideas

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Mix Up Patterns and Solids

Wicker patio furniture

Calais Collection by Parker James - Hand-woven, UV-resistant and rust-free aluminum frame

Mixing up the fabrics you use on your patio can add extra interest to your overall décor. The use of patterns and solids together adds depth to your patio furniture creating an overall, more inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

Activity Spaces

Patio furniture

The Athena Collection by Summer classics features a curved and elegant design with N-Dura resin wicker.

Creating different zones by using smart furniture arrangement and outdoor rugs can help establish different activity areas for your patio. For example, place your main patio chairs and couches around a table or a fire pit in the largest area of your patio; this will create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. For dining, place your table and chairs near your cooking area, or, if there is not enough room, near a corner. Not only will separating your spaces keep your patio from looking cluttered and confused, but it can also make your patio seem more spacious.

Combining Patio Materials

Patio furniture

The Rustic Collection by Summer Classics features resin wicker and is woven over a welded painted aluminum frame with weathered resin feet.

The floor of your patio is often overlooked but it can actually be one of the most interesting parts of your patio if executed correctly. How does this work? Instead of making your patio simply gravel, only stone, or just grass, mix two different types of materials together to make a usually boring area, interesting. The other great benefit of this is that it will generally save you money in the long run.

Patio Umbrellas

Patio furniture

The Royan Collection was named and inspired by a seaside resort in France The arms and legs feature Resysta, an eco-friendly material sealed in a scratch resistant coating.

For patios that lack natural shade purchasing a brightly colored large sun umbrella can really do wonders for your patio. Having a large umbrella will keep you out of the sun, making your patio more usable during the day. Another great thing about umbrellas is it adds a vertical element to your patio while also adding color overhead.

At All American Fine Outdoor Patio we have a large selection of luxury patio furniture , including outdoor rugs, umbrellas and fabric choices. Please visit your closet locations or shop our selection of patio furniture online!

Patio Umbrellas: How To Choose The Right Umbrella Features

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There are a variety of patio umbrellas, all featuring different kinds of designs and options to choose from. For example, there is the “Button Tilt”, “Crank Tilt”, “Collar Tilt”, “Auto Tilt”, “Pulley Lift”, “Crank Lift” and so on. So today’s blog post is dedicated to educating you on patio umbrellas.

Lift Style

Pulley-lift vs. Crank-lift

Pulley-lift umbrellas are your standard patio umbrellas that require you to pull a string and insert the metal pin into a hole to hold the umbrella in the open position. A crank-lift umbrella has a crank on the pole and opens the umbrella with a series of gears.

Tilt Style

Push-button tilt umbrella

Push-Button Tilt Umbrella

Push-Button Tilt

A button tilt umbrella is exactly what it sounds like, and it is probably the tilt style you have seen and are most familiar with. By pushing in a button on the umbrella pole, this simple mechanism releases an upright lock that allows you to then tilt your umbrella into your desired position.

Auto-crank

Crank Tilt Umbrella

Auto Tilt / Crank Tilt

When you hear Auto Tilt or Crank Tilt don’t be fooled, they are both referring to the same tilting mechanism.  Auto Tilt or Crank tilt, is only available on crank lift umbrellas. How it works is once your umbrella is fully open, all you have to do is keep cranking and it will start to tilt to one side. The greatest part about auto tilt is that as the sun moves, you don’t have to get up and mess with a button to keep tilting it, you can do it right from your chair!

Collar tilt umbrella

Collar Tilt Umbrella

Collar Tilt

Collar Tilt is very similar to auto tilt and sometimes can be refereed to a type of auto tilt. This mechanism instead of being built right into the crank, instead has a ring or a collar that is located right about the crank. The greatest benefit of this type of tilt is you can create a combination of both tilt angle and open

 

Looking for a new umbrella for your patio? All American Fine Outdoor Furniture offers many types of patio umbrellas to fit your needs! Give us a call at 1.877.930.7070, visit our website or come in to any of our Arizona locations!

Spring Training 2013

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Spring Training

Have you gotten out and supported your favorite baseball team yet this spring training season? There is a good chance your team practices right here in Phoenix, Arizona. Half of the Major League Baseball’s 30 teams have their preseason training in and around the Phoenix area.

In fact, Arizona has a long history of being a popular destination spot for spring training baseball, and who wouldn’t want to play here in the spring? The weather is perfect and the sun is always shining!

With Arizona’s Cactus League in its 67th season it continues with its long traditions however it isn’t to say that nothing has changed! Much like everything else it continues to evolve and grow,  bringing record high attendance rates in both 2009 and 2010 adding more than $360 million to our local economy each year. Just since 2003 the Cactus League has added five ballparks with another on the way due to open in 2014. So who is the newest member of the Cactus League going to be? The Chicago Cubs!  The coolest part? The brand new training center will be at Riverside Park and is being designed to mirror the Chicago’s historic home park, Wrigley Field.

As more and more stadiums are being built, the Cactus League continues to expand into other areas of the Valley including Peoria Sports Complex in 1994, home of the San Diego Padres; Goodyear Ballpark In 2009, home of the Cleveland Indians; Surprise Stadium in 2003, home of the Kansas Royals and the Texas Ranger.

So enjoy the weather while you can before the real heat moves in and get out there to see your favorite baseball team! Is your favorite team on the Cactus League?

Current Cactus League Teams

  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Chicago Cubs
  • Chicago White Sox
  • Cincinnati Reds
  • Cleveland Indians
  • Colorado Rockies
  • Kansas City Royals
  • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Milwaukee Brewers
  • Oakland Athletics
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants
  • Seattle Mariners
  • Texas Rangers

Plan on visiting a spring training game in Scottsdale or Glendale? Stop in and visit any of our showrooms! At All American Find Outdoor Furnishings we have a large selection of luxury outdoor patio furniture and patio accessories to fit anyone’s style!

 

Bird Watching from Your Patio

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Spring is almost here and you know what that means, the birds are out and singing! The first thing you need to do to start the bird watching process is to attract the birds to your patio by providing them with a few simple necessities.

What do birds need?

  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water
  • Nesting sites

Food– Providing food is most important for those states who get a full winter. Most birds arriving for spring have just flown on their long migration journey and are in need of proper nutrition. The best way to deliver birds with proper nutrition is providing many bird feeders with a variety of bird seeds; this will help migrating birds recover from their long trip as they get ready to begin nesting.

Water– Although spring is known as the wet season, we recommend you keep running water and a few bird baths around your patio area to attract birds flying by. The easier it is to get to water, the more likely a bird is going to stop! Because birds molt in the spring, it is important to check baths regularly to discard any feathers and keep the bird bath clean.

Shelter– This is another very important aspect for birds especially in the colder states. We all know, that just because its spring, doesn’t mean the nights are going to be warm. Having proper shelter can be life or death for small birds that are unable to survive in harsh, cold weather. Make sure you have a few roost box’s around your yard. Planting early leafing plants will also attract birds that are seeking shelter.

Nesting areas– In the spring, birds number one priority is to find a good, sturdy and reliable nesting site. To better attract birds to nest in your yard there are a few things you need to do. First, make sure you have a few bird houses big enough for nesting around your yard. If you already have bird houses, make sure you clean them out and repair any damages that may deter them from picking that location. The next important thing is to make sure you keep your bird feeders full at all times.

Need new patio furniture to comfortably bird watch from your patio? All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings have tones of comfortable selections both big and small to accommodate your needs. Come on down and visit us at our store front or shop online!

Spring has Sprung, Here Comes The Sun

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Patio FurnitureSpring is almost here and this past Sunday most of the country set their clocks forward an hour, which always clues us into the fact that spring is right around the corner. This year spring falls on  Wednesday, March 20th and we couldn’t be happier!

With Spring already next week, it’s time to get your patio furniture ready for the long summer. There are many things you can do, that will make life easier for you once winter approaches again. Dust, mud, water, food stains, and sun damage are inevitable no matter where you live, so it is important to give your patio furniture a good seasonal cleaning. It is important to keep in mind that a quick clean before storing furniture away for the winter is always a good idea, however spring is the best time to give it a good detail cleaning, touching on every aspect. Plus, chances are you are going to want to be outside as much as you can in the spring and what better excuse then getting your patio ready for the fun months ahead!

The Process:

Cushions– Dust and dirt build up over the summer months, especially in fabrics. It may be tempting to just throw your cushions in the washing machine but some patio furniture cushions are not machine washable. Either way, be sure to read the labels for the proper cleaning methods. 
Furniture-Determining what kind of material your patio furniture is made out of will determine the best way to get that dirt and grim out. Wicker is always a bit more tricky due to its weave that allows dirt to wedge itself practically everywhere, however it is not impossible. For detailed instructions on how to clean different materials click here.
Fabric Protection– The steps above are important to take if you want your patio furniture to have a long, healthy and clean life. However, the most important part is added protection. This is where 303 High Tech Fabric Guard comes into play. 303 High Tech Fabric Guard will help restore both water and stain repellent that may have diminished over the years due to weather, dirt and everyday wear and tear from being used. 

What else does 303 do?

  • Restores water and stain repellency back to factory new levels
  • Resists soiling
  • Impedes mildew formation
  • Protects against harmful UV rays

At All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings we have a large selection of things to help maintain your furniture and spruce up your patio. Please visit your closet locations or shop our selection of patio furniture online!

Pantone’s Color for 2013: Emerald Green

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Green patio

Last month, the Pantone color of the year was announced and Emerald Green takes the hot seat for best color, as it should. Emerald is the perfect mix of radiance and fun while still remaining elegant and luxurious. Its bold hue makes it the perfect accent color that you can easily integrate into any existing color palette!

Emerald Green Accent Ideas

When decorating with accents of emerald green, it’s important to keep large surface areas a neutral color for several different reasons: keeping the overall fabric a neutral color will allow you to update your decor on a seasonally basics without having to purchase new furniture. This will allow you to give your patio a makeover by simply replacing throw pillows or patio rugs in bright hues.

Emerald’s Complimentary colors

Green accent colors are great because they have a calming ambiance to them. It is also the color of nature that surrounds us everyday and therefore mixes well with a variety of colors. Here are a few colors that pair well with this year’s Pantone color, emerald green.

  • * White
  • * Cream
  • * Yellow
  • * Purple
  • * Gray
Green, yellow and gray rooms

Other Shades of Green

Just because Emerald is the Pantone color this year, doesn’t mean you can’t use a different shade of green. Picking what color green you want to use may depend largely on factors such as existing color themes and, of course, personal preference. In fact many different green shades made the top of the list this year.

Looking to upgrade your patio furniture this year? At All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings we have a large selection of luxury patio furniture and patio accessories to turn your dream patio into a reality! All-American Fine Outdoor Furnishings is your source for great wicker and aluminum outdoor patio furniture covers! See our unmatched selection of outdoor patio furniture featuring wicker and aluminum furniture give us a call today to get started, 1.877.930.7070.

Spruce-Up Your Patio with Outdoor Accessories

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An important part of utilizing your patio to its fullest potential is to make the exterior feel as homey and comfortable as the interior of your home. Often times a few patio accessories can turn your boring patio into a luxury outdoor living space, here are  a few design tips to help turn your patio into a luxury living space.

Wall Art

Wall Art

Wall art instantly adds interest to a room; outdoor wall art will make your patio feel custom and bring a little of your inside decor taste, outside. Be careful though, you don’t want to clutter your patio with too many things and completely take away from the beautiful outdoors!

Outdoor Rugs

Outdoor Rug

 

 

 

 

Who says rugs are just for the inside! Rugs look great outdoors too! Incorporating an outdoor rug on your patio can add an extra element of interest and typically work best with covered patios since they are less exposed to the natural elements.

Patio Lamps

Outdoor Lamp

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of our favorite patio accessory and unfortunately, many homeowners often overlook this aspect of their outdoor living. Outdoor lamps are a great outdoor living accessory, it allows you to enjoy and utilize your patio for a longer period of time. You many be saying to yourself, well isn’t that what fire pits are for? Yes, but also having a lamp is handy for those hot summer nights or when a fire pit does not provide the right amount of light.

Wall table or Chest

Out door long table

 

 

 

 

Incorporating a wall table with drawers or a storage chest is another great accessory to have on your patio. Again, these type of thing works best with covered patios, so the rain does not ruin your furniture. Wall tables with drawers come in handy for storing outdoor accessories you use regularly outside such as: books, remotes, candles, lighters, and even your gardening tools. Chests are great for extra throw pillows or a spare blanket for the chillier nights.

All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings has a wide selection of patio accessories with all types of styles. Spruce up your patio today! Shop online or come and visit us in store at either of our locations.

2013 Outdoor Living Trends

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Even though we are only one month into 2013 there are some trends that we already see forming for spring and summer in the luxury patio furniture industry. Extending your living space to the outdoors has been an upward trend for years now and is only becoming more and more popular. As people, every year, start to spend more time and effort into their outdoor living space, the demand for certain outdoor products are on the rise! Here are a few of the trends for outdoor living in 2013!

1) Durability

  • Durability and longevity are two deemed as two of the important factors when it comes to anything for your outdoor living space. People dislike when they purchase “nice things” to find out a year later they’re not as nice as they thought.

2) Custom

  • Consumers like to know that they are part of the design process, even if that simply means picking out fabric. Having the ability to have a say in how their new patio furniture or decor is huge to consumers this year. No one wants to have the same patio collection as their neighbor.

3) Covered Patios

  • More and more homeowners are starting to utilize their outdoor living space; many are turning to covered patios. Covered patios are great for a few reasons, first off they protect you from the elements of weather. Covered patios can also be great with the appropriate fire pit and the correct roof. As heat raises, the roof catches it, allowing the warmth to stay around for a longer period of time. Before you decided to place a fire pit under your covered patio, make sure it is the right kind of fire pit and that your roof is high enough that you avoid any fire hazards. Another trend for 2013 is bringing your entertainment, outdoors and covered patios allow you to do so without the worry of rain ruining your electronics.

4) Fire pits 

  • Low maintenance fire pits are in this year. Instead of trying to start a roaring fire for 30 minutes, why not flip a switch to your gas powered fire pit and enjoy right away! Convince isn’t the only reason gas fire pits are trending this season, but also because they are not as much of an eye sore like your typical wood burning fire pit. Gas fire pits easily fit right into your decor with many styles and colors to choose from.

5) Decor 

  • No more neglecting your outdoor decor! Why not have a lamp on your patio, or a outside wall decoration! People are catching on this year that items such as lamps, rugs, table decorations and pretty wall art, are not just for the indoors, but for the outdoors as well!

Looking to upgrade your patio furniture this year? At All American Fine Outdoor Furnishings we have a large selection of luxury patio furniture and patio accessories to turn your dream patio into a reality! All-American Fine Outdoor Furnishings is your source for great wicker and aluminum outdoor patio furniture covers! See our unmatched selection of outdoor patio furniture featuring wicker and aluminum furniture give us a call today to get started, 1.877.930.7070.

Spring Clean Your Patio

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It is still a bit cold out but before you know it, it will be time to start your yearly spring cleaning. There is nothing more rewarding or more liberating then clearing your house of clutter and organizing for a new season!

One place people often forget to tidy up is, their patios and porches. Start this years spring cleaning with your outside patio or porch with the following tips. Remember nothing is more inviting than a clean and tidy space to entertain guests!

1. Power Washer:If you don’t already own a power washer, its time to invest in one! Using pressure washers is a great way to clean up all of the previous years dirt, leaves and grim from your patio or deck. Without the use of toxic chemicals; the absence of chemicals is good for both your patio and the environment.  The best thing about using a pressure washer is, no matter what your patio is made out of whether that is wood, cement, or brick power washers are safe and will do the job! Many power washers also come with a detergent chamber, allowing you to add eco-friendly soap just in case you need a little extra help!

2. Cleaning your patio furniture: Depending on the type of patio furniture you have you can either continue using the pressure washer or you can switch over to a garden hose. I suggest using a garden hose for nicer pieces of patio furniture since using a power washer can add unnecessary wear and tear to your nice collections.

  • For Wicker furniture, first vacuum with an attachment to remove any dust and other particles. Then gently wipe down with a mixture of mild soap and water. After this is done, take your garden hose and rinse thoroughly.
  • For Wrought Iron, use a mild soap and water mixture with a sponge. Let the sponge soak for a few minutes and then wipe the wrought iron in a circular motion. It is best to only work in small sections at a time. Next, simply hose down with your garden hose making sure all of the cleaning product is eliminated.
  • For Aluminum furniture, use a mild dish soap and lightly wipe down the whole piece. Next you need to take care of any scuffed areas. To best remove these, try a gel or liquid non-abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub. This will likely remove the scuffed area without damaging the finish. Rinse thoroughly with your garden hose.

3) Patio Umbrellas: If you left your patio umbrella outside or in a shed all winter, expect the creepy crawlies to be hanging out. Umbrellas are a great shelter for all types of bugs trying to get away from the winter chill. Another types of insect to look out for are, yellow jackets especially in the mid-west and east coast states. In the fall, male yellow jackets get kicked out of the nest and must find their own shelter for the winter and a patio umbrella can be the perfect spot. On the upside if you clean your umbrella in early spring when it’s still cold out, the yellow jackets will still be in their comatose state, presenting no immediate harm. Take a broom and brush them off, they will likely fall to the ground until they warm up enough to fly off.

To clean your patio umbrella, hose off spider webs and other dirty spots. After you do this rinse off and scrub the fabric gently with a mixture of water and dish detergent. Using this water mixture instead of other chemicals will insure that your umbrella’s water resistant coating will not be stripped off.

At All American Fine Outdoor Patio we have a large selection of luxury patio furniture as well as, patio accessories. Please visit your closet locations or shop our selection of patio furniture online!