Coast is clear

Practical doesn't have to mean boring and unstylish, as the new range of outdoor and marine products from New Zealand-based company Coast demonstrates. The baby of ex-Hong Kong residents Nicola and Alex Webster, Coast makes comfortable, good-looking and functional merchandise, for use on a yacht, junk, balcony or in the garden. So far the brand offers a choice of two large beanbags with contrasting piping, Original Marine Bean (right) ($1,222) in navy, beige and a combination of the two and Green Bean (small: $927; large: $1,173) in navy, red, green and taupe, and the Glacier overnight-cum-cooler bag ($1,664). The accompanying Coaster ottoman table (far right), a bean-bag filled base in navy and cream with a teak decking top, which stands level on uneven surfaces and slopes, will be available soon. Apart from being light, versatile and easy to use, the Coast collection is extremely durable thanks to the Sunbrella acrylic fabric it is made from. This has superior resistance to water, fading, mould and staining and won't make you sweat when you sit on it. Although Coast isn't sold at any Hong Kong retail outlets it can be ordered by telephone (tel: 64 9 360 60 60) or on the internet ([email protected]) and will be shipped directly to you. Visit www.coast.co.nz for further details.