Summer 2014: the outdoor life by Seletti

Seletti’s summer 2014 advertising campaign is focused on a special way of outdoor life, conceived to present the brand's new Festival collection using a selection of traditional products with a contemporary twist.

Hand-crafted parasols by Sunbeam Jackie

Ideal for the summer season, Sunbeam Jackie's luxury, hand-crafted parasols are made of a patchwork of antique, vintage and designer fabrics.

GROW: The contemporary garden fair

Opening to the public tomorrow on London's Hampstead Heath, new contemporary garden fair GROW will bring together 100 carefully selected exhibitors selling plants, furniture and gardening accessories.

Backing British farmers and growers: Live from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014

For the fourth year running, Waitrose and the National Farmer's Union have collaborated on a stand that celebrates both horticulture and agriculture at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. For this year's display, the companies have been inspired by the extreme climate change; designer Penny Riley explains, "We wanted to highlight the problems growers endured with the flooding."

Traditional bedding: from indoor to outdoor

Le Lit National, a French manufacturer of high-end bedding since 1909, has launched its first collection of outdoor accessories. From cushions to mattresses, the range takes the lounging and napping from the bedroom to the garden.

Boffi's first outdoor kitchen

Boffi launched its first outdoor kitchen at Milan Design Week this month. Designed by Piero Lissoni, the Open unit is made of stainless steel, reinforced glass and wood, chosen for their ability to sustain all types of weather conditions.

Stephen Burks for Dedon: Milan preview

American designer Stephen Burks has collaborated with outdoor furniture brand Dedon and designed Ahnda, a lounge chair made of woven textile cords and available in two versions, with high and low back rest.

Barbecue on the go by RS Barcelona

Mon Oncle by RS Barcelona - Photo courtesy of Fleux

Optimistic Spanish design company RS Barcelona has released a portable tabletop barbecue with a vintage feel. Named Mon Oncle, it is fitted into a briefcase so it can go unnoticed, and can be taken away and set up anywhere. This makes it a useful accessory for spontaneous picnics or for city dwellers with small outdoor spaces such as balconies.

Cycling safety lights by Veglo

Veglo has developed and created a range of innovative bike lights which aim to tackle driver’s inability to see cyclists in the hours of darkness. The Commuter X4 is made up of four fibre optic light guides and a projective central light. The light can be worn over the cyclists’ rucksack or placed directly on their back using straps which fit over the shoulders. When the fibre optic setting is switched off, the straps become their own reflectors to car lights. The device is water-resistant, USB rechargeable and durable, adjusting to multiple bag sizes up to 35 litres, and fits over rain covers.

Coloured outdoor furniture by Paola Lenti: Milan preview

Portofino collection by Vincent Van Duysen 

During the upcoming Salone del Mobile, Paola Lenti will present a new collection of outdoor furniture and rugs at Chiostri della Società Umanitaria, in Milan, a stunning location which will celebrate its 20th anniversary of business activities. As usual, the brand's vision of outdoor living is focused on functional and elegant, simple and long lasting, but mostly colourful pieces.

Live from IHHS 2014: silicone glasses by Spruce

Spruce is exhibiting its range of silicone glasses at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, which runs until Tuesday.

Farmili: urban farming at home

Brand new website Farmili.com supplies all the materials, food, housing and even animals needed to create a small farm at home, as well as a farmers' guide book, including tips and advice for a successful farming experience. Henhouses and hutches are the first items available on the site, adapted to urban environments. 

Alba Vase by Massimiliano Adami nominated for Designs of the Year 2014

The London Design Museum has announced the nominations for Designs of the Year 2014, which include the Alba Collection of Vases designed by Massimiliano Adami and produced by Italian brand Serralunga. The collection of polyethylene vases are enriched with a soft colour change, giving the object a feeling of lightness.

50s birdhouse by Mariëtte van der Ven

Designed by Mariëtte van der Ven, this midcentury-inspired birdhouse is made from porcelain and can be dissembled for cleaning between uses.

The product recently met its funding requirements on crowdfunding platform Crowdyhouse and is now being produced in its first edition.

B&B Italia: Antonio Citterio's first outdoor collection

Mirto is Antonio Citterio's first collection of outdoor furniture for B&B Italia. Sleek and elegant, the folding armchairs, dining chairs, chaise longue and dining table are made from mesh fabric taut across a metal structure. These are available in two finishes, white and tortora, for minimalist furnishings or contrasting profiles.

Aid to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan by Kenneth Cobonpue

First Light by Kenneth Cobonpue. Photo by Paolo Konst

Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue has created a limited-edition candle holder set to help the victims of typhoon Haiyan, which devastated huge regions of the Philippines last November. Developed in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat Youth Council, the majority of proceeds will be donated towards the rebuild. 

Live from Spoga+Gafa 2013: Cologne in full bloom

Thinking Hands at Spoga + Gafa 2013

This year at Cologne's Spoga+Gafa trade fair we saw a growing number of companies and designers addressing the needs of the urban garden and gardener, as well as new ‘glowing’ ideas for furniture to light up to create mood and atmosphere.

Summertime by Valerio Berruti for Gufram

Gufram has refreshed its Multiples Collection with the new Summertime sofa, designed by Italian artist Valerio Berruti. The Summertime multiple is produced in 250 numbered pieces for each of its two colour combinations: optical white/copper green/tobacco and optical white/burnt sienna/brick red.

Organic outdoor furniture by Ross Lovegrove

British designer Ross Lovegrove's new furniture collection for Vondom combines the brand's expertise in advanced roto-moulded technology and the designer's ongoing research into transferring digital processes into contemporary design. Named Biophilia, because of its fluid organic shapes, the pieces push the boundaries between material, structure and form into a new modern territory. 

Gardens of sensations in Chaumont

Ruban Rouge by Yu Kongjian - Photo by E.Sander

The 22nd International Garden Festival, in Chaumont sur Loire, France, is this year focusing on feelings and sensations. Landscape artists and garden designers from all over the world were asked to work on the subject and stimulate all of the visitor's senses, by building surprising gardens. 

The 'Ruban Rouge' garden (Red Ribbon) by Chinese designer Yu Kongjian encourages contemplation and rest.