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LOFA Picture Hunt
June 2003 PRESS RELEASE
LOFA Garden Furniture Hunt
Much has changed in the look of Britain's gardens in the last 35 years. Back then, a few grand houses boasted paved terraces, but eating or entertaining outside was rarely enjoyed back in the 60's. For the well-heeled middle classes, tubular steel loungers with flowery cushions were all the rage and open charcoal barbecues or hibachi the only outdoor cooking implement. However, these forerunners marked the beginning of a steady and increasing interest in outdoor living.
Developments in construction material for chairs and benches occurred with the start of Aluminium garden furniture in the 1960s and the Wedge Garden Bench introduction of 1974 and the popularity of steamer chairs in 1980. The surge in demand for economical white resin seats and tables in 1988 followed by the first Harvest carved bench introduced in 1989. After a few years, the demand for white furniture declined and coloured resin was preferred in the early 90's. From 1995 the popularity of hardwood table and chair sets increased as sources of hardwood became more easily sourced. The 21st century started with the introduction of metal table and chair sets, with smooth, clean lines and modern designs.
Today almost every home has a patio area or conservatory to make the most of Britain's better climate and warmer summers. Nowhere is this change in garden use more apparent than in the amount and quality of garden furniture and barbecues that are being sold by retailers every summer. Changes in fashion have made an amazing difference as materials and fabrics have kept pace with quality outdoor living.
Britain's Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA) Members have supplied most of these innovative changes in public taste, and this year are asking the public to send in any pictures of the furniture or barbecues they bought in the 1960's or 1970's. LOFA is also looking for pictures of furniture from that time that is still being used today. These examples will be exhibited in the LOFA Hall at GLEE in September where photographs and perhaps the surviving furniture will mark the steady progression of the outdoor furniture products supplied by Members of Association.
As we will see when the pictures are exhibited, the fashion for furniture and outdoor living has changed remarkably during the 35 years of LOFA activity. We have all learned to appreciate the benefits of outdoor living and the use of the garden as the biggest room of the home. Members of LOFA are pleased to have supplied quality products that have provided a lot of pleasure. They continue to ensure that the products that furnish Britain's terraces and gardens are of the highest quality, are durable, fashionable and fun.
If retailers have furniture from the 1960's or pictures of them, they should contact
Richard Plowman, SECRETARY LOFA 113 Worcester Road, Chichester, PO19 5EE
Tel: 01243 839593 Fax 01243 839467 Email info@lofa.co.uk
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