Tag Archives: Kwila

10 Tips for protecting your outdoor umbrella!

Posted on by webadmin
outdoor umbrella
22 May

Of all the outdoor furniture you can install on your patio, an outdoor umbrella is one of the most vital and the most affordable. It protects you from the harsh Aussie sun and keeps the rain away when you are relaxing with a coffee outside. It also adds a flair of style to your patio and gives you a feeling that you are lounging at an expensive hotel, being waited on hand and foot!

An outdoor umbrella can quickly become dirty and unsightly when exposed to the weather for long periods of time. Umbrella protection, cleaning and maintenance should be a top priority for ensuring your umbrella continues to look as fabulous as the rest of your Daydream Leisure Furniture.

 

10 Tips for protecting your outdoor umbrella! | Daydream Leisure Furniture

Cleaning an Outdoor Umbrella Canopy

  1. Minimise stains: Your first arm of defence is to attack stains or debris as soon as you notice them. Brush off any fallen leaves and bird droppings, because these can quickly stain the material. Wash any slight stains with warm water, detergent and a soft sponge, rinse away the soap and place the outdoor umbrella in a spot where it will dry quickly. Some of our outdoor umbrellas are made from an Olefin Fabric, which is highly durable, long lasting, fade and stain resistant, and pretty much waterproof. We also have umbrellas that are made from an Obravia Fabric that is environmentally friendly and resistant to mildew, rot and UV rays.
  2. Store umbrellas dry: To keep your outdoor umbrella looking its best, store it in a dry, shaded location when not in use. If you have one of our cantilever umbrellas, we also provide you with a waterproof outdoor storage cover, making it easy to store your umbrella. You can also purchase additional umbrella protection covers from us, in a range of sizes and styles.

 

outdoor umbrella 2

Cleaning an Outdoor Umbrella Frame

  1. Aluminium frames: To keep your umbrella frame looking brand new, mix warm water with mild soap and wipe down the metal frame. If you have water spots on the metal, remove these with a mix of white vinegar and water in a 1:9 solution. Make sure that the frame is dry when you finish.
  2. Timber frames: You can usually use a mix of warm water and mild soap to clean timber frames, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

Why not check out our range of aluminium framed and timber-framed outdoor umbrellas?

 

10 Tips for protecting your outdoor umbrella! | Daydream Leisure Furniture

Outdoor Umbrella Maintenance Tips

  1. Abrasive cleaners: Don’t use abrasive cleaners on the canopy or frame, as these can destroy the finish.
  2. Don’t force it: If you have trouble opening or closing your outdoor umbrella, don’t force it, because this can cause damage to the canopy or frame.
  3. Safe storage: If you are storing your umbrella for any length of time, always make sure it’s clean and dry; otherwise stains or mould can take hold. We also recommend that umbrellas should always be folded down when you are finished sitting underneath them, placing an umbrella cover over it if not in use for an extended period.
  4. Umbrella protection: Apply scotch guard to the fabric of your umbrella, as additional protection against the elements.

 

10 Tips for protecting your outdoor umbrella! | Daydream Leisure Furniture

Outdoor Umbrella Safety Tips

  1. Avoid windy conditions: As a general rule, umbrellas should also never be left up when not in use or being monitored. In the case of a windy day, take down the umbrella and store it somewhere safe. Non-commercial and freestanding outdoor umbrellas are not usually rated for high winds, so don’t put them on high balconies or rooftops where they can be blown over.
  2. Secure the base: To give your outdoor umbrella more stability, use the appropriate base or anchoring system, which will keep it in place under normal conditions.

 

Aussies love their outdoor furniture, so why not give your patio a makeover with our daybeds, sun lounges and outdoor sofas? Call us at our Warana store on 5493 4277  or our Noosa store on 5449 9336  or shoot us an email for more information on any of our outdoor furniture settings and accessories.

Cover image: Tingirana Noosa

The Aesthetic Value of Furniture in Hospitality

Posted on by webadmin
nardi chairs in cafe
22 Mar

Updating your outdoor furniture is extremely important, especially when running a business within the hospitality industry. A strong economy, rising global consumer purchase power and digital innovation have all contributed towards the hospitality industry’s record growth in the last few years.

What is the servicescape?

The servicescape is the environment in which a service is provided and there is customer interaction. Servicescape furniture should be designed to appeal to customers pleasure and arousal states as well as facilitate operational ease and efficiency. There are four roles in the servicescape that we’ll be examining offering strategic reasons as to why you should update your outdoor furniture. These include:

  1. Package
  2. Differentiator
  3. Facilitator
  4. Socialiser

italian inspired nardi furniture at a cafe

In order to shape the success of your own business in the future, you should be updating your servicescape furniture sooner rather than later. Why?

  • Firstly, remaining relevant and fiercely competitive in the marketplace will keep your business top-of-mind and successful (Package).
  • Secondly, the hospitality industry has potential in social media allowing greater awareness for ‘trendy’ businesses to be shared (Differentiator).
  • Thirdly, physical settings influence the customer’s ultimate satisfaction with the service flow, design and functionality (Facilitator).
  • Lastly, furnishing and updating your service area will help facilitate whether customers feel comfortable in socialising and staying longer (Socialiser).

outdoor table setting with nardi furniture

  1. PACKAGE || Updating furniture in hospitality creates an impressionable package

The first role in the servicescape is the package. This is when outdoor furniture settings and the overall layout of a business creates a split-second impression to outward-looking customers. For example, this could be potential or new customers walking past a café whose first impression of your business is the look and design. First impressions are mostly created by the furniture layout, design, lighting, music and mood.

Take a look at how the Cantilever Umbrella is styled at the Providore on Hastings café in Noosa. It’s a practical, yet aesthetic that creates ambience customers love! View it here

nardi furniture oceanside restaurant view

  1. DIFFERENTIATOR || Updating furniture in hospitality will help differentiate your business from competitors

The second role in the servicescape is the differentiator. This is often where a business can separate themselves from the market using unique furniture to offer a competitive advantage. That’s right! Outdoor furniture has the power to build your brand in the minds of customers, as well as establish your market position. Colours, design and feel will determine the value imposed on the customer whilst dining at your business.

Take a look at how the Cave Bianche Hotel have styled all white Nardi chairs by their poolside bar here

nardi furniture and table setting

  1. FACILITATOR || Updating furniture in hospitality will facilitate service flow and movement within your business

The third role in the servicescape is the facilitator. With over 20 years of industry experience, you can trust the team at Daydream Leisure Furniture to recommend a design that enhances the flow of activity in your business. We know that a well-designed, practical service area will make the experience for the customer a pleasant one. Say goodbye to cramped dining and hello to comfortable, functional settings.

nardi furniture at rooftop bar

  1. SOCIALISOR || Updating furniture in hospitality will increase your customers need to socialise

The last role in the servicescape is the socialiser. A business that oozes comfort will keep your customers staying longer as well as coming back. The range of outdoor settings that we stock at Daydream Leisure Furniture is not only stylish but extremely comfortable. If customers are encouraged to interact and stay longer, your business will continuously look busy and attract more people. Furthermore, this also increases the opportunity to upsell your products (e.g. more coffee, dessert, drinks, snacks bought).

nardi furniture at resort

 There is no better time than now to update your outdoor furniture, especially if you’re running a business in the hospitality industry. Staying top-of-mind and competitive, as well as increasing the perceived comfort, value and satisfaction of your business will help you reach further success.

 If you would like any styling tips or advice on new furniture fit-outs, feel free to contact the professional team at Daydream Leisure Furniture today. We are the outdoor living specialists who can help bring life back to your hospitality business.

 

The Ultimate Summer BBQ: Entertaining Tips

Posted on by webadmin
ultimate-summer-bbq-entertaining-tips
22 Jan

Summer is well and truly here, and I have to say, we are loving the warm sunshine! Where there is sunshine and good company, there is the perfect excuse for a weekend BBQ with friends. So dust off the grill and get your backyard or patio space ready for the ultimate summer entertaining experience in your very own garden.

Having a BBQ is all about simplicity and ease. To help make things easier for you we’ve put together these entertaining tips as a guide.

Enough Food To Feed Your Tribe

Preparing a meal for a large number of people doesn’t need to be stressful. The beautiful thing about a BBQ is that it’s a very informal and light-hearted event. Why not turn your BBQ into a pot-luck? You’ll provide the grilled meats, and your guests can bring along cheese platters, bread, salads, and even dessert. Classic favourites like sausages, kebabs, steaks, and rissoles are always a hit at our family BBQ. What will you be serving up?

BBQ’s are fantastic when it comes to recipe planning too. They offer so much versatility with the kinds of meals you can prepare. Jamie Oliver and Webber offer some scrumptious recipes online, to spark your tastebuds with inspiration.

Get Creative With Your Seating Options

Make sure you have enough outdoor furniture to accommodate all of your guests. From classic outdoor settings to picnic rugs on the grass, you can never have enough options for accommodating your mingling guests.

Entertaining ranges like the Nardi and Kwila suites are fantastic! They’re durable, stylish, and comfortable all year round. Plus, they offer incredibly versatile arrangements, so that you can find the perfect chairs to match your table and home decor. Bench seats and bar stools are also a great option when entertaining a big group of people. Visit Daydream Furniture before hosting your next BBQ and make sure your entertaining space is a hit this summer!

Keep The Kids Corner Busy

While you’re entertaining your guests at the ultimate summer BBQ, remember to keep the kids’ corner occupied too. There’s nothing worse than when all of the adults are having a great time and suddenly the kids start complaining that they’re bored. Perhaps plan a few fun activities for the littlies, or if you have a pool, you can encourage them to bring along their swimmers and floaties to take a dip?

There you have it. Use some of these tips and create the perfect entertaining space, no matter your budget. And when you’re ready to furnish your area with the latest in outdoor living and dining settings, look no further than Daydream Leisure Furniture. Our showrooms in Noosa and Warana are stocked with beautiful and stylish pieces to suit all tastes and budget. Shop our range online here or find us on Facebook.

 

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Dream Backyard Renovation

Posted on by webadmin
planning-outdoor-backyard-renovation
18 Oct

Aussies love their outdoor spaces and the backyard is our haven from the stresses and tribulations of our daily lives. We embrace our backyards wholeheartedly, regularly inviting friends and family over for a big BBQ, maybe a swim in the pool, an afternoon watching footy on the outdoor TV, and generally lounging around and relaxing at home.

So if your backyard could do with a serious makeover – where do you start? First of all, you need to know all of the specific regulations that will affect your outdoor renovation, otherwise, you can be in a great deal of trouble. Next, take a good hard look at your outdoor space and decide what you like and don’t like, and what is and isn’t possible.

Creating a plan on paper is always a good idea because you can see where everything fits, and prevent any huge mistakes before they happen! Some mistakes can be costly, so give due consideration to your plan before you start calling in the backhoe and demolishing your backyard!

If you are ready for a backyard makeover at your home, here are our top tips for making the whole process run smoothly.

Identify your colour scheme

The colour scheme you chose for your outdoor spaces will be determined by your home’s internal and external colour palette. This is because you will want your outdoor entertainment spaces to flow naturally from your internal spaces, so continuing with the same palette is a sensible idea.

Decking for your home

You might not have any decking at all or need to replace your existing decking because it is old and rotten or no longer suits your lifestyle. One or more decks will help to define your outdoor spaces and you can choose from hardwood timber or the newer composite materials. Even pavers or bricks can be used instead of decking, depending on your budget and your design style.

Privacy and shade

You can create a stand-alone outdoor pergola with a variety of different screens or use large plants, such as clumping bamboo to provide privacy from neighbours. A popular choice when it comes to furnishing our backyards is the wide range of outdoor shade options available today, such as wind-rated cantilever umbrellas and retractable outdoor awnings. These additions not only provide shade and protection from wind and rain, they have the ability to compliment your landscape design and furnishings. Other options include using large pots filled with palms to provide both privacy and shade for your seating areas, building a hedge or installing outdoor blinds that are designed for external areas.

Pool fencing

With older pools, you might want to completely revamp the pool itself, the pool surrounds and even replace the pool fence. If you want to do any renovations around your pool, always check the pool regulations that are applicable, so you don’t have to re-do your renovations to comply with local laws. For example, you can’t have outdoor furniture and pots within a certain distance of the fence, as this prevents children from climbing over the pool fence.

Outdoor kitchens

Many Aussies are now investing in an outdoor kitchen complete with sink, fridge, stove and food preparation areas, and even pizza ovens, which is fabulous if you have space. However, there is nothing wrong with simply renovating your BBQ area and patio with aa table, chairs and perhaps a drinks trolley, like this one, to make it more inviting and functional for everyone.

Landscaping makeovers

If your garden has seen better years with fences falling down, retaining walls crumbling, and dead plants and grass everywhere, then it might be time for a makeover. Always spend big on a number of large focal plants, filling in with smaller cheaper plantings and don’t forget to consider shade plants. If you have a large backyard, you can also consider creating one or more meandering paths through your garden, ending in small magical areas with outdoor seating for two!

Outdoor furnishings

Once you have the landscaping, plants and hard surfaces organised, it’s time to think about your furnishings. This can be the most exciting time for many home owners when they start to decide how they will furnish their outdoor entertainment areas. There are plenty of options available, but most people want tables and chairs to create an outdoor dining area, and daybeds and sofa lounges for relaxation. Of course, there are sun lounges for around the pool and all of the cushions you need to soften the spaces as well.

Costs of your backyard renovation

The cost of renovating your backyard can be as small or as large as your budget allows. Everyone’s needs are different and there are always changes you can make that will improve a space, regardless of the size of your budget.

For more information on any of our outdoor furniture and accessories, call Daydream Leisure Furniture on 07 5449 9336 (Noosa) 07 5493 4277 (Warana) or complete our online enquiry form.

 

 

 

Bleeding and oiling your Kwila outdoor furniture

Posted on by webadmin
kwila-turniture-care.tips
25 Jul

Your Kwila furniture is ideal for withstanding the rigours of the Australian climate. This timber is more durable than many other timbers used in outdoor furniture and has minimal shrinkage, resistance to splitting and withstands harsh salt water environments.  To keep your Kwila furniture looking its best, here are a few easy to follow tips.

Oiling your Kwila outdoor furniture

Kwila furniture doesn’t require oiling for durability purposes, but if you want to permanently leave your furniture outdoors, it will weather if it is not oiled, turning a silvery grey colour over time. All of our Kwila furniture has already been oiled prior to packaging and you can continue with regular oiling or allow the timber to naturally weather and age.

Unoiled Kwila furniture, might experience minor splitting over time, but this adds rather than detracts from its beauty. If you decide to oil your furniture regularly to maintain its original colour, then use a light decking oil.  An oil with a UV stabiliser and an anti-fungal additive is recommended.   Avoid any products that contain bleach or solvents.

It is important to remember that your Kwila furniture will still maintain its integrity if you decide not to oil your furniture. This timber is very tough and durable and this toughness and durability is not influenced by whether or not you oil your furniture.

Bleeding the tannin from Kwila furniture

As Kwila contains a large amount of tannin (resin or sap), when the timber becomes wet it will bleed the tannin onto the surface it is sitting on. If not cleaned up immediately, the tannin can stain porous ground surfaces, so it is advisable to accelerate this process to attempt to remove the surface tannin from the furniture.

All you need to do in order to bleed-out the Kwila timber is hose the timber down with clean water until the tannin has stopped bleeding out of the wood and then allow to dry. Depending on the amount of tannin in the product, the process may need to be repeated several times. It should be noted that as timber is a natural product, the amount of tannin is not measurable, therefore even by following bleeding instructions, it is still possible to end up with a small amount of residual tannin which could stain a surface.  So be as diligent as you can with this process.

Don’t stop hosing until the runoff water is clear and then use an old rag or towel to sop up any standing water on the timber, roughly going all over all of the furniture with the rag. It will take many hours for the timber to completely dry (depending on the weather), however using the rag helps to prevent water spots marking the timber while it dries.

Once your Kwila furniture is totally dry, and if you want to maintain the rich colour of your furniture, at this point it is recommended that you oil the furniture using a light decking oil, as outlined above.

It is important to note that you are not removing all of the tannin from the wood, just the surface tannin. This is important, because it is the tannin and the moisture within the timber that retains the tannin that helps to preserve your furniture, making it resistant to the elements.

Daydream Leisure Furniture offers customers an in-house bleeding service for a small additional charge. Using our service means that you don’t have to spend your valuable time bleeding the surface tannin out of your Kwila furniture, instead you can start enjoying it as soon as it is delivered.

For more information on any of our outdoor furniture and accessories, visit one of our furniture showrooms, call us on 07 5449 9336 (Noosa) 07 5493 4277 (Warana) or complete our online enquiry form.