We really have no right to complain about Hong Kong winters. Compared with many countries, ours are relatively brief, blissfully mild - a welcome respite, even, from the lengthy heat. But it's only with the spring sunshine that our thoughts turn to outdoor living: to sunset drinks, dining alfresco, and what we can bring home to rejuvenate our courtyard/rooftop/balcony.
The trend to zhoosh up any available outdoor space is fairly new in our traditionally indoor-loving city, but it's taken off at Olympian pace. This means that a much wider range of outdoor kit is now available locally - and if it's hot today in Europe's gardens or Asia's resorts, you can probably find it in Hong Kong, or at least bring it in thanks to online shopping.
So what's new this season? Move over wicker furniture and make way for a new trend. So says Everything Under the Sun CEO Janice Ortmann.
'After 10 years of synthetic rattan products, the trend this summer is to use aluminium and sling or stainless steel and sling,' she said. These are softened by plump cushions made from quick-dry foam and finished in stylish yet robust all-weather fabrics in a range of white and brights.
Everything Under the Sun also has outdoor lamps and floating pool lights that can change to suit different moods. Vondom lighted pots, floating cocoon lamps and Serralunga lamp art pieces are expected to be hot sellers this summer.
The humble barbecue has made way for complete outdoor kitchens. Ortmann cites the Viteo Outdoor brand, which uses Corian tops and Gaggenau burners - 'the same as their indoor kitchens'. 'Our Cadac Braai Max barbecues now come with a pizza stone, wok, paella pan, and teppanyaki grill - and, of course, a regular grill for sausages and steak,' she said.
For the ultimate resort look, it's hard to go past German brand Dedon's range of gorgeous City Camp daybeds and swing seats by Austrian designer Annette Hinterwirth. Hinterwirth calls her four-poster, fabric-swathed creations 'an all-in-one outdoor living unit for modern nomads'.
