Sunbrella sponsors Southern Living Idea House

Features outdoor furniture, awnings and shade structures fabricated with Sunbrella

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 7/18/2011 3:27:45 PM

Sunbrella is a sponsor of the 2011 Southern Living Idea House that opened in Horseshoe Bay, Texas this month, with prominent placement on retractable awnings, a loggia and numerous outdoor furniture settings.

Austin-based Hill Country Shades of Texas partnered with Sunbrella fabrics for the project, providing the design and installation of the house's extensive shade structures.

"We continue to enjoy our partnership with Southern Living and the Idea House because it showcases our fabrics in ways that will inspire the magazine's  readers," said Gina Wicker design and creative director for Sunbrella fabrics. "This year's house has an architectural style and extensive grounds that allow us to share the entire Sunbrella story from our awning roots to the marine lifestyle to indoor and outdoor furnishings."

The 4,700-sq.-ft. estate is located in the golf community of Escondido in Horseshoe Bay and is positioned on lakefront property on Lake LBJ. It was designed by Michael G. Imber of Michael G. Imber Architects with interior design by Marcus Mohon of Mohon-Imber Interiors.

Golden sandstone makes up the home's façade, along with reclaimed-wood beams, blue woodwork details and clay roof tiles. Two coordinating Solair retractable awnings from Tri Vantage, a division of Glen Raven, Inc., shade the outdoor dining porch and boat dock. The awnings feature Decorator Somfy-Matic motors with wind sensors that automatically retract the awnings when needed. Both awnings are fabricated in Moreland Nugget, a fabric from Tri Vantage's exclusive Mayfield Collection.

"Awnings are a must-have for outdoor spaces in our part of the country," said A.D. Pitcher, owner of Hill Country Shades of Texas and the awning fabrication partner for the project. "The shade structures at this home demonstrate the beauty and functionality of shade and the seamless way it can be integrated into a home's façade."

Along with awnings, Pitcher also created a retractable Sunbrella fabric shade system for a loggia made of reclaimed wood along the home's exterior wall. The fabric Canvas Cornsilk was used overhead and Sunbrella sheer panels hang between the loggia beams, creating a romantic setting.

Sunbrella furniture fabrics are featured on all outdoor furnishings at the house, including furniture from the Southern Living furniture line through NorthCape International, as well as outdoor furniture by Ballard Designs. Additionally, Sunbrella sheers are used for several indoor window treatments  throughout the home.

The Sunbrella presence at the Southern Living Idea House is also on display on the water on Christine, a custom Hacker-Craft Runabout that is docked at the house. The classic 24-foot wooden boat was built in 1997 and features a bimini made of Sunbrella Sand marine fabric.

The Southern Living Idea House will be open to the public July 4-Oct. 2, Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The house is closed on Monday and Tuesday and admission is $10. For more details on this project, click here.

For more information, visit sunbrella.com