Merchandise Mart's Dream Room features outdoor entertaining

Staff -- Casual Living, 7/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

The Merchandise Mart Design Center in Chicago will help inspire consumers during the outdoor home entertaining season with the second installation of the Dream Room series, on display through July 27 in the north lobby of The Merchandise Mart's LuxeHome.

Conceived and created by interior designer Erin Shakoor, The Outdoor Room: Inside Out Living Outdoors the Way We Do Indoors, will show visitors how to breathe new life into outdoor spaces for everyday use or special occasions. The room juxtaposes modern and traditional indoor and outdoor furnishings from showrooms housed within The Merchandise Mart.

"Outdoor entertaining has become an integral part of the way we live, and the incredible growth of the casual furnishings industry reflects this popular trend," said Jeanne Fisher, managing director of marketing, MMPI. "With the installation of the Inside Out outdoor room, we seek to educate and inspire consumers to utilize design to enhance their life-styles as well as their living spaces."

The display incorporates product from Ahalya Stone, Aldik Artificial Flowers & Foliage, Beacon Hill Showrooms, Betty M Collection, Brown Jordan International, Cast Classics, Holly Hunt, Kravet Fabrics, Lewis Mittman Inc., Melange Showroom, Murray's Iron Works, Pacific Showrooms West, Traditional at Design Atelier and William Switzer & Associates; with faux commercial wall coating by Roman Architectural Finishes.