West elm’s décor takes a vacation

West elm is offering valley residents the opportunity to go on vacation this summer without leaving home. Or, at the very least, feel like they're on vacation.

The lifestyle furnishings company's new summer line inspires visions of tropical getaways, said Debbie Boggs, assistant manager of the store in The District at Green Valley Ranch.

"It feels like you're ready to have a piña colada on the beach," Boggs said of the store's look for summer. "The comments I'm hearing from customers who walk in is that they feel like they're walking into a resort or are on vacation."

Boggs said the colors -- wasabi, white, indigo and espresso -- are cool, crisp and very calming. The unique color combinations work surprisingly well, she added.

Last year, west elm introduced outdoor furnishings for the first time with its square-metal collection. The collection's success prompted the company to bring its iconic overlapping-squares outdoors as well.

"We've had the overlapping-squares for indoor use forever. It's very exciting to see it for outdoor use," Boggs said. "People used to be happy with plastic lounge chairs, but now things are a little different. The outdoors is almost as important as the indoors and people are really paying attention to it."

Available in a white finish, the outdoor overlapping-squares collection includes a metal dining table, side chairs and coffee table.

Some of the overlapping-squares outdoor pieces are available in a chocolate finish when ordered over the Internet or through the catalog.

For those who prefer a more natural look, west elm offers the wood-slat and metal and wood-slat collections. Solid wood finished with a water-resistant stain is used for both lines.

New additions to the wood-slat group include a storage bench and double lounger, while a barstool, bistro table and nesting tables were added to the metal and wood-slat collection.

"The great thing about our outdoor collections is that they're all very mix and matchable," Boggs said.

Her favorite piece is the lounger. "So now I have to build a pool in my backyard, which is just dirt," she joked. "Really, even without a pool, you can make a nice backyard perfect with these collections."

Complementing the furnishings are a variety of accessories, including several outdoor lanterns.

Boggs said she is especially excited about the new morocco lanterns that are made of brass with a bronzed finish and feature intricate designs. The lantern is available as either a hanging or standing light and uses a candle, votive or tealight.

A perforated ball lantern measuring about 10 inches in diameter is part of the group.

A more modern look can be found with the stainless steel and glass lanterns, vitrine wall sconces or stretched metal candleholders.

Boggs also is fond of the new curvaceous goya vases done in a cobalt glaze.

"They are really bright blue and look amazing," she said.

Known for its accent pillows, west elm has introduced several new patterns in its summer colors that are ideal for outdoor use. Bean stalk is a rectangular pillow with stripe-like stalks that seem to stretch toward the sky, and palm leaf features oversized striped fronds. The pillow covers are made of a durable, weatherproof polyester material.

Also available are beaded woven water hyacinth pillows.

Additional information is available at www.westelm.com.