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.

Get outside with new furniture from the DCOTA

We're counting down the minutes to the weekend (just a few more hours!) but till then, let's be honest, we're daydreaming about being outside, preferably by the pool with a cocktail in hand! To further entice (or maybe we should say torture), here's an assortment of new outdoor furnishings available at the DCOTA.

An all-weather wicker from Janus et Cie is pictured above.

Looking for a lounge? Brown Jordan has this sleek new addition:

Those with ample deck space will enjoy good conversation at this spacious sofa from the American firm McKinnon and Harris, available at J.Batchelor:

And for a seating area to rival your indoor set up, try this look from Royal Botania, available at Inside Out:

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!

DCOTA's International Design series starts July 12

Starting July 12 and running through August 9, the DCOTA will present a series devoted to "Clever Fixes with Designer Influences" as parts of its International Design celebration. The weekly events, on July 12, 19, 26, August 2 and 9, will share insight from talented designers and industry leaders on subjects ranging from color to custom furnishings. Here's a glimpse of what's in store in the series. Check back soon and we'll give the scoop on the subsequent programs. Here's a peek at what's in store for the first on July 12, devoted to COLOR!

Kicking off at 11am: Two exceptional individuals, David Bromstad from HGTV’s Design Star, and Maria Raco from New Wall, are by no means strangers to using pops of color in their work. The Miami Herald’s managing editor of Indulge Magazine, Betty Cortina Weiss, will delve into the world of these two unique characters as both David and Maria divulge where, what and who gives them their creative inspirations.


Keynote lunch reception at Donghia, Suite C-250. Then join Joy Eber and the staff at Inside Out with delicious desserts provided by Thierry’s, Suite B-216.

1– 3pm, Decorative Crafts, Suite B-218 • Creating Abundance with Feng Shui 1CEU Complimentary Credit
Join guest speaker Michelle Luongo, a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and founder of Balanced Living, Inc., as she walks us through an environment with Feng Shui eyes. Discover how Feng Shui can compliment your designs by bringing awareness to shapes, colors, fabrics and decorative objects. Michelle will focus on the Feng Shui approach to influence designs that reflect a luxurious lifestyle, attract abundance and invite prosperous opportunities. Reception to follow at Decorative Crafts Showroom, Suite B-218.

4– 6pm, Designer’s Plumbing Studio, Suite C-270
A NEW BEGINNING ON HOW WE HAVE MASTERED 25 YEARS OF "It's not just a bathroom, It's a lifestyle"
After 25 years at DCOTA we keep getting bigger and better and want to showcase our new and improved
showroom with more options, more technology, and more of everything that makes your bathroom unique.
Join us for a cocktail reception sponsored by LUXE Magazine.

In the News: B&B Italia Introduces Ray & Jay for Neocon 2011

B&B Italia introduced two new armchairs, Ray and Jean, designed by Antonio Citterio at this year’s Neocon. Additionally, the company adapted a series on iconic B&B Italia seating products into the North American PROJECT line.

These additions include successful products from designers Jeffrey Bernett, Antonio Citterio, Naoto Fukusawa and Patricia Urquiola. Each product has its own character and design integrity, allowing architects and interior designers to create lasting design statements in varying environments around the world.

You can find B&B Italia’s Ray and Jane chairs at the Walters Wicker showroom at the DDB and the Inside Out showroom at the DCOTA.

Save the Date: From the Terrace to the Great Outdoors

International Design@DCOTA is helping you to be chic and savvy when you're hosting outdoors this summer. Joe Fava of Fava Design Group, Lara Shelton from La Plates, artist Ashley Longshore, and Omar Guzman of Liquid Art Custom Pools join forces for a dynamic conversation about improving outdoor living environments.

From landscape to water feature, the group discusses how to make a splash with a pool party, enhance garden spaces with Longshore’s waterproof paintings, and entertain alfresco with customized La Plates outdoor tabletop and accessories.

Whether the city terrace or the big backyard, From the Terrace to the Great Outdoors is all about stylish outdoor living.

A reception will follow at Inside Out in Suite B-216.

The event takes place July 13 at 11:00 a.m. at the DCOTA's B Atrium. For more information visit http://www.dcota.com/#/special-events/.