Spotted at the Four Seasons Miami: Royal Botania

Foodies take note, you now have double the reasons to get to Miami before the end of September. Royal Botania was selected by the talented design firm, and James Beard Award winners, AvroKo for the Edge restaurant terrace at the Four Seasons Miami. The restaurant is a part of the Miami Spice Festival (as if the sizzling city needs any more reasons to get spicy) that celebrates the city's best restaurants with events and special offers.



The design scheme includes Royal Botania IXIT sectionals and table for lounging, some around glowing fires, MIXT teak chairs and Flexy tables for perfect al fresco dining.



A perfect place for a delicious bite, and a breathtaking view of the Biscayne Bay and the hotel's two-acre pool.


If you can't make it to Miami before the end of the month, check out Royal Botania at Giati at the PDC and Inside Out at DCOTA.
All images courtesy of Mark Roskams.

Giati's Velvet touch

Giati is introducing a new velvet collection. The aptly named Velvet Collection is the latest addition to their selection of indoor/outdoor fabrics, available in thirteen colors and two stripes. It's the perfect choice for residential and commercial applications.

The Santa Barbara-based company knows about performance textiles, with 100% solution-dyed acrylic fabrics that are guaranteed for three years against fading, splitting, peeling or cracking. Not to mention sunfast and water- and mildew-resistant.<BR>

But if you didn't know as much, the hand would make you think these were their "unpractical" not-great-for-kids counterparts! And you don't get much more ready for fall than with a rich velvet, right? Scoop them up (we couldn't resist!) at the Giati showroom at the PDC and in the DDB at Walters Wicker.

Outdoor furniture maintenance tips from Royal Botania!

Heading to the beach/mountains/lake/shore this weekend? How about out on your yacht? You'll need to make sure the outdoor furniture is up to snuff. But where to begin? And how to know what to do to best extend the life of your collection -- whether it's teak or stainless. We wanted to share these great maintenance tips from Royal Botania. The twenty year old company, founded by engineers Kris Van Puyvelde and Frank Boschman is known for its optimal comfort and innovative designs. Here are tips to make your outdoor furniture last for many more summers to come.

-Teak (pictured above) is strong, lightweight, and resistant to outdoor elements. It has naturally high oil content, which creates a built-in resistance to the elements so that it does not decay and will not splinter. As such, teak does not need to be sealed or treated to protect the wood. When left outdoors, it will gracefully turn to silver patina to harmonize with its surroundings. Royal Botania uses mature, high quality, kiln-dried teak that has been harvested from sustainable sources. Teak is used in Royal Botania's Solid, O-Zon & Kokoon collections.
To keep teak looking chic, Royal Botania recommends a freshening every 6-12 months. When teak furniture first arrives any “teak dust” on the furniture should be wiped off using a damp cloth, otherwise it can leave marks on clothes and cushions. For standard cleanings, scrub with a soft brush and natural soap. Rinsing with fresh water regularly is also encouraged. Many stains can be removed by using a diluted bleach mixture with water, in a 4:1 mix. Scrub with a soft brush and rinse with fresh water. Do not fear a change in color of the stained area. Thanks to teak’s natural oil content the wood’s color will even out within a month after cleaning. For frequent stains, use products like Semco Clear Coat.


-Stainless steel, featured in O-Zon, Ninix & Flexy (pictured above), is durable and stylish and will hold up to frequent cleanings. Royal Botania offers a 304-grade as well as a 304-EP electropolished or marine-grade stainless steel. The latter offers the same quality and performance as 316-EP stainless steel, yet comes at a more affordable price point. This treatment increases resistance to corrosion and helps prevent salt water and chlorine damage. To maintain its luster, Royal Botania recommends regular washings using fresh water at a high hose frequency. For a deeper clean, the company suggests a mix of baking soda and dish soap or some white vinegar. Towel dry and voilà!


-Batyline is an extremely flexible, high quality and durable material that is nearly impossible to tear. It consists of a polyester fiber covered by a coating of PVC. Mildew and UV resistant, it is a great alternative to cushions and perfect for outdoor use in wet environments like a swimming pool. Equipped with a 3-year warranty, the material is part of Royal Botania’s most popular collections including: Alusion, E-Z, Kokoon & Mixt (pictured above). To clean the Batyline, Royal Botania recommends simply washing it with a mild natural soap and fresh water then rinsing and dry with a cloth.


-COAXXS ® exceptionally strong weave and composition make it an all-weather material. It will not loose its suppleness in low temperatures and will not feel sticky on the skin in hot. It is resistant to the damaging effects of chlorine and salt water, stretching or cracking, UV rays and stains from suntan or the locations. Royal Botania’s Sunday collection (pictured above) features CoaXXS® hand-woven over an aluminum frame. To freshen up the synthetic fiber, Royal Botania recommends washing with natural-based soap and a sponge then rinsing with fresh water. Plus, CoaXXS® only needs to be cleaned once a year! To avoid scratches, do not clean using any type of abrasive agent or scouring pad.

Stop by Giati at the PDC and Inside Out at DCOTA to see these designs, and the helpful salespeople can surely answer any lingering questions!

New collection: Giati

Mark Singer, the founder of Giati, has designed a vibrant new collection called Canopy. The inspiration for the collection came from his longtime hobby of woodwork and making wood furniture, which is evident in the four patterns, which evoke the outlines of treetops and wood grain patterns. Even the names, Kapur Canopy, Bengal Bamboo, Mangrove Forest and Forest Fog transport us to a jungle.



All of the nineteen introductions are made of solution-dyed acrylic and guaranteed against fading, splitting, peeling and cracking for five years. In addition, they are water- and mildew-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor and high-traffic areas. It's a natural fit for the Santa Barbara-based outdoor furniture company. A portion of the sales will go to Amazon Watch, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the rainforest.



Have a look in person at the Giati showroom at the PDC and Walter's Wicker at the DDB.

New Faces: Giati Designs Welcomes Textile Designer Sharon Weinraub

Giati is proud to announce a new addition to its design team in California: Sharon Weinraub.

Sharon is a Los Angeles-based textile designer with over 25 years of experience. She has mastered ancient resist techniques to create a sophisticated textile collection suitable for both inside and outside installations. Her fabrics are hand-dyed and rustic, making her union with Giati a perfect fit.

"Giati prides itself on being one of the early innovators of sophisticated textiles for the outdoors," said Giati Founder Mark Singer. "We're very excited to be working with Sharon and her designs."

Product Spotlight: Fabrics Inspired by Southern Luxury

If you've been craving bold, vibrant fabrics this season, look no further than Giati Designs' newest Antebellum collection.

"Antebellum was inspired by the lavish pre-war lifestyle of the American South," said a sales associate. "It evokes images of stately plantations amid grand oak trees, dogwood forests and Spanish moss. When I see it, I think of tantalizing fragrances emanating from gardens with abundant flora fill the air. It's such a refreshing group of designs that reflect the grace and style of that opulent bygone era."

The Antebellum collection is characterized by striking patterns, colors, solids, textures, stripes, chenille and damask. Fabrics have names in tune with a celebration of southern luxury. An exquisite coral pattern on a subtle pinstripe, Myrtle Beach, is conveniently reversible. A charming magnolia motif, combined with crisp, wide-striped chenille is aptly named Charleston Stripe. Plantation is a fresh, multi-colored chenille stripe, while Savannah is the name for the solid chenille patterns.

Carolina Special is a dramatic, large-scale, geometric design in contrasting black and soft beige. The chic black, white and grey damask Masquerade features metallic accents and is of equal impact. The collection is rounded out by the curvilinear twists and turns of the refined white matelassé Steamboat.

Stop by Giati and pick out a few for your perfect Southern Summer.