authenteak

Solutions for Wintering Container Plants

authenTEAK — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:29:08 +0000

With Winter here and more cold weather on its way, its time to visit your garden and make sure your ready! There are also lots of annuals that look great and will last well past the first frost. Some will even look fabulous and sculptural with a coating of snow. Try combining different heights and forms, or go simple and pot a single dramatic plant in a beautiful container.

Capital Garden Downing Street Planter

Try some of these cold-loving annuals:

Flowering cabbages
Flowering kales
Annual grasses
Sages
Flaxes
Pansies
Creeping wirevine
New Zealand Flax

In general, plants can survive in containers if they are rated as 2 USDA Hardiness zones lower than the zone you are gardening in. So if you are in Zone 5, you’d be safe with plants labeled hardy to Zone 3, but how many of them are there? However gardeners in Zones 7 and 8 can get by with minimal loss on chilly nights if they stick to the much wider variety of plants considered Zone 5 and above.

Another thing to consider is that once the ground freezes under the container, water cannot escape the bottom of the pot. The container will thaw before the ground does and if you get a few rainy days, the water will stand in the pot, either rotting the roots or turning into an ice cube when the weather chills again. Avoid this by tilting the pots slightly.

Some tips to give your container plants a bit of an advantage in making it through the winter include:

The more soil in the pot, the better insulated the roots will be. If possible, you could simply slip the existing container into a larger container and fill the side with soil or mulch.
Cluster several containers together and move them to a sheltered spot, such as near the house or a south facing wall.
Encircle the containers with chicken wire and fill with leaves or mulch. Once the ground freezes, add mulch to the tops of the plants.
Consider using a cold frame or create a make shift cold frame by surrounding the containers with pales of hay and covering them with an old window or glass door or a sheet of plexiglass. Keep an eye on your plants if the weather warms. It can heat up quickly under glass. Lift the cover if temperatures are going above about 40 degrees F. and remember to close it at night.
For marginally hardy small trees and shrubs, you can protect them from frigid winds by driving 3-4 stakes around their perimeter, about 8-12 inches from the branches, and then wrapping them with burlap. Don’t let the burlap touch the leaves or needles or they could suffer more frost damage than if left unprotected. You could use a cage of chicken wire instead of the stakes.

Even with all your best efforts, you may lose a plant or two to circumstances beyond your control. But you’d be surprised how many will make it.

Planters to store in an indoor sheltered place for the winter months:

Terra cotta: there is a 100% guarantee that moisture from any source will increase the likelihood that terra cotta will crack. If not, my experience has proven that even though a pot may make it through the winter, the terra cotta will start to flake, especially around the rim. Ultimately, the pots do crack.

Glass: if you have container gardening pots made from glass, bring them inside, too. Though glass will not break from water penetrating the container itself, it will most likely break if it contains very soggy soil. The soil will expand as it freezes solid. The same is true of even the best ceramic containers, but it moves toward “less likely” as the degree of vitrification increases.

Glazed pots (exterior only glazed): same as terra cotta.

Glazed pots (interior and exterior glazed): these are not as likely to break in the winter. But, you’re gambling if you’ve got them planted and left outside.

And finally, make sure your container is strong enough to make it through winter. The more porous your container is, the more likely it will crack during winter. Planters that are great year round include styrofoam, plastic, polyurethane, fiberglass, wood, hypertufa and concrete.

Leading Outdoor Furniture Trends for 2012

authenTEAK — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:59:58 +0000

AuthenTEAK, located on Huff Road in Atlanta’s West Midtown Design District, has the largest selection of outdoor furniture including deep seating sectionals, rocking chairs, bar stools, and daybeds complemented with industry leading grills, umbrellas, fire pits and outdoor rugs.

With the new year in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll do with your outdoor living spaces come Spring. Each year new collections are better than the year before and 2012 is no exception. AuthenTEAK complied some of the top outdoor living trends to watch for in 2012 so you can get the most out of your outdoor living spaces and spend more time outdoors!

Gloster's Cloud Collection

Another great hit will be swivel dinning chairs which are a chic addition to the outdoor dining experience. Gloster’s Ventura teak swivel dining chairs are classic and elegant. Simply put, Gloster’s Ventura collection is the one collection that all other teak dining chairs are measured.

As more people are wanting to bring the indoor comfort outdoors, Lane Venture’s WeatherMaster outdoor upholstery collections are the ideal trend in the marketplace that is moving towards more solid shapes and forms that are created with fabric. Currently offered just for the trade is Gloster’s Club collection which combines an enduring, classic style with a new pioneering outdoor lounge cushion technology. The mix of subtle curves with fully upholstered outdoor cushions makes this sectional unit the perfect elegance for outdoor entertainment.

You’ll find that AuthenTEAK’s friendly, professional sales associates go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and comfortable in their West Midtown Design District showroom. Discover thousands of products through AuthenTEAK’s eCommerce website www.authenteak.com or see and feel the products for yourself at their on-site showroom. AuthenTEAK also offers trade discounts and services to ensure a fluid and seamless transaction from their showroom to your client’s property. Check out their 15,000 sq. ft. showroom at 1094 Huff Rd. Atlanta, GA 3018.

Gloster’s Cape Collection – New for 2012

authenTEAK — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:50:22 +0000

With 2011 nearing to an end, many manufacturers including Gloster are getting ready for 2012! Check out the new 2012 Cape collection for a sneak peek at next season! This collection is already available to order!

Generously proportioned with high backs for gentle lumbar support, form and function are perfectly combined with a wide choice of outdoor sectional seating units allowing almost any configuration to be created.

Gloster’s Cape Collection brings classic contemporary styling to outdoor dining, living and relaxing. Solid and inviting, the Cape collection brings a distinctly nautical feel to outdoor teak dining and sectional deep seating. Generously proportioned with high backs for gentle lumbar support, form and function are perfectly combined with a wide choice of outdoor sectional seating units allowing almost any configuration to be created.

Gloster’s Cape all-weather seat cushions are available in over 90 solution-dyed acrylic fabrics. C.O.M. available. Please inquire for additional details.

Shop Cyber Monday 2011 with AuthenTEAK

authenTEAK — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:48:21 +0000

Save 15% off all Kingsley-Bate products!

CYBER MONDAY ONLY!

Now Selling Camp Twin Lake Partners Card

authenTEAK — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:53:16 +0000

Help Send a Kid to Camp Twin Lakes

Authenteak is excited to participate in Camp Twin Lakes Partners Card 2011! It is through dedicated partners like ourself and many other retailers that we can make this year the most successful Partners Card yet and send even more kids facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and life challenges to Camp Twin Lakes!

Camp Twin Lakes is a network of camps providing life-changing camp experiences to thousands of children with serious illnesses, disabilities and life challenges. They collaborate with over 50 different non-profit community partner organizations (Camp Partners – Authenteak!) to create customized programs that teach campers to overcome obstacles and grow in their confidence and capabilities. Camp Twin Lakes provides programs at various state-of-the-art facilities throughout the state of Georgia, including overnight camps in Rutledge and Winder, day camps in Atlanta, children’s hospitals, and more.

Along with over 350 shops and resturants, Authenteak will be selling Partners Card for $60 at our West Midtown Showroom! Use your Partners Card to save 20% off in-stock teak outdoor furniture. Help make a difference and support Camp Twin Lakes!

Download the App to find all the dedicated partners in your area.

View the Camp Twin Lakes Partners Card website for additional details.

New Additions – Bentintoshape Fire Pits!

authenTEAK — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:28:48 +0000

Just in time for fall! Authenteak now offers Bentintoshape Fire Pits! Bentintoshape have a passion for creating unique, fun, high quality and lasting products. They create unique, high quality and durable home and garden decor products like fire pits, patio tables, planter boxes and garden art.

The Bentintoshape Fire Pits are constructed with 11 Gauge Cor-Ten Steel for maximum durability and rustic antique appearance. Cor-Ten, also known as Weathering Steel, is a steel alloy which was developed to eliminate the need for painting and form a stable rust-like appearance when exposed to the weather. These fire pits are perfect for patios, a day at the beach or a weekend at the hunting camp.

Bentintoshape 38" Round Fire Pit

Bentintoshape 38" Square Fire Pit

Bentintoshape 30" Round Fire Pit

Bentintoshape 30" Square Fire Pit

New Additions – Elaine Smith Pillows!

authenTEAK — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:10:22 +0000

Check out the Venice Collection from Elaine Smith!

Authenteak is excited to announce a new addition to our Atlanta West Midtown showroom and website!

—Elaine Smith luxury outdoor pillows—

Excerpt from Elaine Smith’s website:

Elaine Smith Outdoor Pillows

Before Elaine Smith, al fresco entertaining was a distinctly less beautiful and desirable experience. Outdoor furnishings and accessories featured fabrics that were weather-proof, but never as soft and stylish. But then in 2003, the successful interior and home accessory designer discovered textiles as lush as they were tough. Their fine fibers could withstand Mother Nature and human nature, resisting sun, rain, and stains.

Working with these fabrics and inspired by her dual loves of exotic locales and natural wonders, Elaine created what is the world’s first and only line of outdoor luxury pillows. Rich in color, lavish in detail, and of course, impervious to the elements, Elaine’s first outdoor collections were such a resounding success that she decided to develop her company’s efforts into becoming the leader in this exciting category.

Currently, Elaine Smith Pillows are available Nationwide to the trade and can be found at Tradeshows in Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. Discerning consumers can find them at Neiman Marcus, Gump’s, Frontgate, Grandin Road, and other finer furnishings, accessory, and gift stores around the country. A favorite of interior designers and the hospitality industry, the pillows currently add the finishing touches to patio and deck settings at the St. Regis, Ritz Carlton, and several boutique properties in the U.S.

Elaine Smith pillow collections is the world’s first and only line of outdoor luxury pillows. They start with the best, solution dyed yarns and work with the finest U.S. mills to create beautiful, long lasting quality products. These pillows can withstand nature and human nature, resisting sun, rain, and stains. Check out her great collection today at AuthenTEAK!

Increase Your Living Space with an Outdoor Kitchen

authenTEAK — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:45:19 +0000

Written by Adam Coholan, an active blogger out of New York who writes about remodeling, landscaping, and exterior design based on his experience working with homes in Queens for Elliman Real Estate. You can follow him on Twitter @Coho22.

Many homeowners are looking for ways to increase their living space, and often choose to remodel or put an addition onto their home, a process that can be drawn out, messy and expensive. However, many never think to simply look out their backdoor, expanding their living area with an outdoor room. By putting everything you need for cooking right at the scene of all the action, outdoor kitchens allow you to spend less time running back and forth between the grill and the kitchen, and spend more time with your family and friends. There are great options for those who love to entertain outdoors and want to expand upon their traditional grill or BBQ set up. For those interested in adding value to their home, as well as adding to their own comfort and convenience, an outdoor kitchen is a sound investment.

Built by Alfresco, Artisan grills and accessories proudly set the standard for affordable luxury.

The main goal when planning the kitchen should be to create a centralized area where everyone will want to gather. The barbeque is usually the main feature of an outdoor kitchen, and with the rest of the features revolving around. Grills can include a few simple propane burners, or can be enhanced with a rotisserie or a smoker. Then make sure the main table is near by so the food can be served easily and everyone can eat together. Another great option would be adding a fire pit and circling chairs around it to stay warm after the sun goes down. It’s hard to beat the smell and crackle of a classic wood fire, but be sure to check local regulations to make sure they’re allowed. If they’re not, there’s a wide range of gas fire pits that are perfect substitutes.

After the grill and table are set, storage should be the next priority, making sure there are cabinets or shelves with room for grilling utensils and lighters, charcoal and wood chips, and all of the seasonings and rubs you’ll be using. Custom cabinets and countertops built specifically for the outdoors will provide storage solutions that are not only weatherproof, but designed to suit outdoor décor as well. Outdoor cabinets can either be constructed on-site using masonry with tile or stucco finishes, or can be purchased in modular components. Many include space to accommodate under-counter appliances like refrigerators, wine coolers, icemakers or ovens, and can easily be adapted for spaces to include a sink for easy clean up when you’re done cooking. You could also consider using them for dishes, containers and linens you’ll need for serving and eating.

For the final touches, adding a bit of lighting and shelter help ensure use of your new outdoor living space into the cold weather months and during inclement weather. There are many different varieties of lighting, from solar powered LEDs to tiki torches that keep the bugs away, you’ll be able to find something that fits the theme of your yard. In terms of shelter, a simple awning can be installed. If you can’t anchor an awning to the house, consider a covered pergola to help protect the room from the elements. These features not only boost the ease of outdoor entertainment, they also provide a significant return on investment by helping increase the resale value of your home. If you already spend a lot of time grilling and you enjoy entertaining outdoors, start planning an outdoor kitchen to combine the best of both worlds.

Follow Up from the 2011 Apollo Award!

authenTEAK — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:45:40 +0000

Meet AuthenTEAK's Management Team! Owners Damon Fogel & Eric Brenner with Operations Manager Cindy Turner.

AuthenTEAK was recently featured in the September 2011 Casual Living Magazine! The article on page 66 “Above the Rest, nominees meet their challenges head on”, describes the journey and history behind AuthenTEAK as we grew from a weekend-only business to being nominated AGAIN as a finalist in the 2011 Apollo Awards for the single store category! This was our second nomination and we are proud to share our clearly envisioned, four-pronged growth strategy via our retail showroom located in the West Midtown Design District in Atlanta, our online presence and trade & contract relationships. Every year AuthenTEAK progresses, grows and reworks strategies to build better relationships with the trade & contract as well as with their manufactures and customers. AuthenTEAK looks forward to next year’s Apollo Award announcements and we are not giving up hope for a win in the future! Check out the complete article by Kristine Ellis in the September 2011 Casual Living Magazine!

The Evolution Of Sunbrella

authenTEAK — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:27:12 +0000

The AG28 is a 10ft cantilever European style umbrella that creates an inviting dining atmosphere. Over 135 different solution dyed Sunbrella fabrics are available for this umbrella.

For over 45 years, Sunbrella has led the way in performance fabrics. What started out as a fabric used primarily for awnings on luxury homes and boats has evolved into a leader in quality and innovation in the outdoor furnishings industry. Sunbrella has been instrumental in the development of upholstery for outdoor furniture. The fabrics stay strong and vibrant, even through intense sunlight exposure and cleaning with bleach. So STOP worrying about stains and fading on your patio furniture, go ahead and get that white sofa you’ve always wanted.

The most important fact that most people don’t know about Sunbrella is that it’s environmentally friendly. There are no waste water from dyes like the other typical competitor fabrics. Sunbrella is GREENGUARD certified for indoor air quality if used in the home. A revolution is also occuring within the indoor furnishings industry. Several upper end furnishing boutiques have started offering Sunbrella fabrics for interior design projects due to it’s durability. Sunbrella furniture fabrics offer more patterns, colors and designs than any other performance fabric in the market. High profile fabric designers have been working with Sunbrella in recent years designing beautiful fabrics that are just as soft as cottons and smooth as silks. It’s amazing how Sunbrella has evolved. Come into AuthenTEAK’s showroom and look through all the great Sunbrella fabric samples or check us out on the web at www.authenteak.com. Also check out www.sunbrella.com to see and read about the latest developments in the performance fabric industry.