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Charming, Shady, Airy
Aug 7, 2015

“All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow,” Leo Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina. Light and shadow accompany us all life long, both physically and metaphorically. In sayings such as “the dark side of life” or in terms such as the “shadow economy” – shadow as the opposite of light as the source of life often gets a pretty rough deal. Things are different when it comes to the harsh, hard, searing sun of summer: We yearn for shade and coolness. Once the thermometer lodges well above 30°C, it is shadow that makes outdoor life possible and pleasant. Where there are no natural sources of shadow, sun shades and sails perform the good deed. As long as they are well-designed, practical, and posses ingenious technologies. We’ve selected a few examples of “shady spots” for you. (mm)



“KOSMOS” BY DIRK WYNANTS FOR EXTREMIS

Designer Dirk Wynants is a passionate sailor. And thus was inspired by sailing boats when creating “Kosmos”: a pleasantly shady round of seats for up to nine people, made of aluminum and with artificial leather seat cushions. You can sit round a table or simply fold the tabletop down and put your feet up. The made-to-fit shade opens out like a 360-degree fan. Since it also came out of a wind-tunnel test with top marks, you can even use a “Kosmos” on one of those large yachts.


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PURE SUNSHADE
“PARASOL” BY DEDON

At first glance, “Parasol” by Dedon looks like some trivial sunshade. On closer inspection you soon see that what you have here is basically the pure essence of any sunshade. “Parasol” is perfect down to the smallest details: The fabric chosen is made of Batyline polyester, the mast of fiberglass that is perfect imitation teak or gleaming aluminum, and its base cement-filled aluminum, with a pulley rope boasting stainless-steel elements that are seaworthy.


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THE DESIGNER SHADE
“SHADE” BY CHRISTOPHE PILLET FOR EMU

The parasols in the “Shade” collection are perfect companions for the Emu tables and chairs. Luxury hotels round the globe love the combinations – and the Umbrian makers consulted an expert in the process: French designer Christophe Pillet developed “Shade” along with the side-stand-based model on show here. The result is not just visually persuasive but also practical, the technology highly refined.


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PRIVACY FOR THOSE COZY MOMENTS
“BITTA COCOON” BY RODOLFO DORDONI FOR KETTAL

We all know those Hollywood swings with their typical awnings. The minds behind Kettal teamed up with designer Rodolfo Dordoni and took things a step further: A canopy and curtains that hang down to the ground shroud the entire sofa or rather the entire swings in the “Bitta” collection like a canopied four-poster. The seat thus transforms at the pull of a cord into a secluded spot for cozy moments. On top of which, the airy fabric doubles up as a fashionable mosquito deterrent.


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PAVILION FOR DINING OR RELAXING
“GAZEBO OASIS” BY RODOLFO DORDONI FOR RODA

Wanting to have your living room outdoors – then you’ll find the “Gazebo Oasis” by Italian makers Roda is the perfect solution. With a square footprint of 2.72 x 2.72 meters and 2.40 meters high, it is neither too small nor to large for the patio, meadow, or beach. With the added protection of a roof, and curtains as an option, you can use it to dine or relax, depending on the modular fit-out you choose.


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FUN TENT TIME
“MIKASI” BY FLO FLORIAN FOR MÜLLER MÖBELWERKSTÄTTEN

If everything simply gets too much and the sun threatens to sear the last quantum of intelligence from you brain then all you can do is seek refuge in a tent. Müller Möbelwerkstätten have come up with an especially beautiful item: “Mikasi”, which has wooden slats spanned with Tyvek fabric. Intended more for an interlude than overnighting, the tent is ideal for urbanites who have a large patio, can’t always flee to the country, or simple want to feel like kids again.


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WITH SUN PROTECTION FACTOR 40
“EL-30-T1-UV” BY SEFAR

Back in 1907, six family-owned companies joined forces to form Schweizerische Seidengazefabrik AG. In 1995, the corporation was renamed “Sefar”, and today it’s one of the world’s leading specialists for precision textiles. In addition to products for the electronics and medical technology industries, and for the automotive, food and pharma industries, Sefar also makes coated, weatherproof and UV-resistant fabrics for architectural purposes – they can be tailor-made if required. The materials can be used for football stadiums, and for seaside sun terraces, a prime example being “EL-30-T1-UV” which offers 30 percent light transmission, can be subjected to a maximum tensile force of 2000 N/5 centimeter and comes with a sun protection factor of 40.


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SYSTEMATIC SHADE
SUNSQUARE TRIANGULAR SUN-SAIL

So where do you need to put it? Available: sun sails that are triangular or square, made of a coated, weatherproof “Soltis” polyester woven. And choose from five different suspension systems, closed, motor-driven rope-runs including pneumatic springs that give when the wind gusts, and, optionally, “Niro” stainless steel or “Alu” aluminum frames and lighting options. Needless to say, it can all be customized and is available in different sizes of up to 70 square meters.


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ENTER THE MANTA
“OCEAN MASTER MAX” BY TUUCI

Metaphorically speaking, it is one of the real gliders. Alongside “Stingray”, with its wide flaps the “Manta” model from Miami sunshade specialist Tuuci definitely brings to mind the silhouette of one of the great fish that glide slowly and majestically through the depths. In this case, under the wide wings there is plenty of shade. The technology is superb, including elements such as the patented, independent bracket hub system, and a telescope mast with an “Easy Crank Lift” system.


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IN THE BIG BROTHER’S SHADE
“BRANCH” BY ILARIA MARELLI FOR CORO

Is it a person, possibly a butler, balancing a large round plate or tray on his head and hands? Coro’s “Branch” sunshade certainly looks that way. It is made of stainless steel and lacquered with epoxy resin. And it’s available in a far smaller version as a side-table. Which poses the question whether one couldn’t actually place something on the big brother’s plate or tray. A plant, perhaps, or a stork’s nest? Or should we be imagining that it is in turn only the baby brother of an even larger... well, best to ponder such things while out of the sun.


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THE IPHONE LOOK
“SHANGRILA” BY FLORIAN ASCHE FOR APRIL FURNITURE

There are kitchens, TVs and shelves in the iPhone look. So why not sun pavilions, too? Maybe this is what the minds behind April Furniture were thinking and their “ShangriLa” is an ultra-light, easy-to-erect pavilion with a 3 x 3 meter footprint and a height of 2.3 meters. Two strips of cloth are pulled over the roof and/or the side and can be adjusted depending on how the sun is shining. Like the metal frame of the iPhone 4 the slender stand of rectangular profiles is made of stainless steel and rounded at the edged for that elegantly smart touch. An iPhone gives you far less shade.


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FANNING
“ENSOMBRA” BY ODOSDESIGN FOR GANDIA BLASCO

“We reinterpreted the opening and closing system in a different product typology, namely that of a sunshade. The idea was to create a simple system that could be open or closed like a fan. The result is a great interplay of colors and shadows that you can fine-tune just the way you want; and it transforms your garden or patio into a real feel-good oasis that is full of life,” is how Luis Odosdesign’s Calabuig, María Mengual and Ana Segovia describe the “Ensombra” they designed for Gandia Blasco. And that truly sums it up.


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SETTING THE SUMMER STAGE
“MONACO” BY GARPA

Should drops suddenly come down from on high or to sun rays start to melt the meringue on the lemon, then all you need do is pull the folding “Monaco” roof closed. Garpa’s solution is a bit like the roofs of football stadiums or those opulent curtains that are suspended from theater ceilings – quite apart from curtains that can be pulled completely closed and which can be attached when open to the powder-coated aluminum frame. To summarize: “Monaco” offers princely shade and protection for your summer stage. Surely Charlene and Albert would also agree...


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MARY POPPINS WOULD LOVE HIM
“BISTRÒ” BY PAOLA LENTI

Nicely old-fashioned like Mary Poppins’ umbrella – she used it to sail through the sky. That’s the feel of the “Bistrò” sunshade created by Paola Lenti. The vintage look is emphasized by the checkered “Madras” or “Tamil” fabrics, both of which are available in various color combinations. Optionally, a side-table and a pouf snuggle up to the mast. If the domed version seems too striking, you can simply opt for the slightly flatter version.


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THE TRICK WITH THE BULGE
“ELIPS4SUN” BY C4SUN

Many people design sun sails. But C4sun from Hückeswagen, nr. Cologne, ffers them in convex trapezoidal, square and elliptical versions. Special handmade “Clouth” profiles give the sails a constant bulge, so rain water flows off the sides and gusts can be flexibly absorbed. If the wind gets up, then an ingenious wind-pressure-relief system in the mast keeps things easy. There are three product lines: “Trapez4sun”, “Square4sun” and “Elips4sun”, and they all rely on the same structural principle. The size is tailored to the client’s needs and local conditions.


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