Contest calling: Design a "D-Lux"

Attention all New York Tri-State area designers: Test your creativity—and support a good cause—by entering Royal Botania's "Dress Up the D-Lux" contest.

The Belgian outdoor furniture manufacturer is offering a chance for designers, artists and inspired minds from NYC and the tri-state area to show off their talent and mingle with the who’s who of the design world—all while helping to benefit the non-profit Design Trust for Public Space. The brand is offering its innovative D-Lux aluminum chair as a blank canvas for creativity. The winner’s completed interpretation of the D-Lux will be up for auction and on display at the Design Trust's 2012 Art+Design Benefit Auction on November 7, hosted by Interior Designer Kitty Hawks and Interior Design magazine Editor-in-Chief Cindy Allen. The winner will also score a ticket to the fête, allowing them to network with an influential and talented crowd, the likes of which include event honorees Danny Meyer and David Rockwell. Entries should be submitted to usa@royalbotania.net and are due by September 28th.

The theme of this year’s Design Trust event is “urban agriculture.” While not required, here's a tip: it's a good idea to relate to this timely topic s suggested that all submissions relate to this timely topic. The concave and convex lines of this supremely ergonomic (read: comfortable) chair will no doubt challenge designers of all ages.

But for those of you outside the NY-NJ-CT area, don't forget to check out Royal Botania's assortment at Giati at the PDC and Inside Out at DCOTA.

Here's some of the fine print (read: legal speak!) you need to know on the competition:

1) Entrants must create a plan/sketch/concept for “dressing up” the D-Lux chair (e.g. decorating, drawing, painting, enhancing the piece, while keeping its basic form). Inspired by the female body, the chair consists of several concave and convex shapes, made out of a highly rigid aluminum plate. Aluminum was an ideal choice, because it is lightweight, durable and rust-free—even outdoors. The powder coating technique was added to the aluminum to help resist corrosion and damage from the elements. Its dimensions are as follows: 34” height, 18” seat, 24” width, 20” length
2) Entrants must have the ability/means to use their plan/sketch/concept to transform the D-Lux into their vision and create a finished product by Monday, October 8th. The winner will be contacted with further details regarding delivery of the white D-Lux, next steps and specific deadlines. The winner is responsible for all costs related to their creative work on the D-Lux. Royal Botania will cover all transportation costs. The chair must be completed and delivered to Design Trust by Friday, October 12th. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 7.
3) Entries must not defame or misrepresent, instill violence, threats or hate.
4) Entries must be received by September 28th to usa@royalbotania.net. In addition to the plan/sketch/concept, entries must include complete contact information including name, address, email and telephone number. This information will be kept confidential and only used to contact the winner.
5) The winning project will be announced on Royal Botania’s Facebook page (@RoyalBotania) on/or around the first week of October and included in a press release about the competition and its charitable partner. By entering this Promotion, the entrant agrees that the entry may be published in any form of media chosen by the Sponsor or its designees, without any other fee or other form of compensation.

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!