Now, more than ever, our family’s outdoor space is a necessary treat for the soul—where we relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with nature and friends. If you’re welcoming summer with a renewed interest in sprucing up your outdoor living space, the talented team at Casual Furniture World should be your first and only call!
Catching up with Josh Rowell—whose family has owned and operated Casual Furniture World for over 37 years—gives us some insight into the process of staging your dream space at home while savoring the longer hours of summer days!
FF: What’s the first thing clients should consider when designing a new outdoor space for the summer? How does your design team begin the process?
JOSH: We like to discuss how the client wants to use the space: Will dining be the primary activity, or lounging, or do we have enough space for both, and for how many people? Our designers then work with the physical limitations of the space and design aesthetics, such as focal points, colors, and overall style preferences. Even with the popularity of online shopping, we still take great pride in our showrooms, where customers can actually sit and test the comfort of all our furniture.
FF: What are the easiest and most stylish options for providing shade?
JOSH: Our cantilever umbrellas seem to be loved by customers who own them, and they are available in multiple sizes and colors, and also rotate, tilt, and even roll! This is the ultimate, versatile shade system that’s an easy delivery and setup without mounting an awning to the house or building a permanent structure. We also have cantilever umbrellas with built-in lighting and a battery pack option.
FF: Tell us about some of the most popular outdoor furniture styles and fabrics? Which ones are most durable? Which are best suited for kids?
JOSH: Believe it or not, all our fabrics are great choices! We only use premium, solution-dyed acrylic fabrics, and Sunbrella is one of our largest vendors, offering solution-dyed acrylic fabrics that are extremely durable, colorfast, water-resistant, and bleach- cleanable. They are perfect for kids, dogs, and even red-wine spills!
FF: Are outdoor grills still a popular addition? How do you design an entire outdoor space around a grilling area?
JOSH: Absolutely! Just as the kitchen is the heart of the home, the grill—or a complete outdoor kitchen—will become the heart of the outdoor living space. Smokers, grills, griddles, and outdoor-rated refrigerators can complete the perfect setup. One of my favorite things to do is take a customer’s ideas and a rough sketch, and make the complete outdoor kitchen come to life with aluminum or PVC outdoor cabinetry, adding all of the appliances to suit their wants and needs. Our vendors supply 3D CAD drawings based upon our specifications, so potential clients can see exactly what their outdoor kitchen will look like before making a final decision.
FF: If my current outdoor furniture needs a face lift—can you also help me with a re-do?
JOSH: We absolutely can help if the customer is looking to replace or add to their existing space. Working with existing colors and styles is not a problem at all, and if the customer is wanting to re-work or update furniture they already have, our sister company, Triad Cushion, is best suited to step in. They can assist with chair re-slinging, new outdoor cushions, or cushion casings.
Let the well-trained sales associates of Casual Furniture World (many with previous design experience!) guide your dream towards the perfect outdoor space. Casual Furniture World is located at 1500 Hanes Mall Blvd in Winston-Salem, 336-760-1766, and online at casualfurnitureworld.com. Hours are Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. You can also visit their showrooms in Greensboro, NC, and Myrtle Beach, SC, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @CasualFurnitureWorld.
