Outdoor living in style
Set in a lush green garden covering 6,000sqm, the new Dunas Living concept store was inaugurated this summer in Almancil and is located just a stone’s throw away from Quinta do Lago.
Co-founded in 2004 by English designer Judy Clayton and her husband Simon, the Dunas Living brand relies on a team of specialists who work with European high-end outdoor furniture brands, which you can now experience first-hand in a calm indoor space. These include Tribù from Belgium, Dedon from Germany and American parasol specialists Tuuci.
Along with the new showroom came the launch of Austa restaurant, creating a new concept in a single space that Judy says does not exist in Portugal. “After browsing the furniture and accessories, our customers can stroll around the garden and enjoy a meal in the restaurant. Here, visitors can contemplate the space whilst looking for something special.”
Royal Botania
In line with the services that already existed for designing outdoor spaces, the new showroom makes it easier for clients to choose the furniture that best fits in with their décor as there are many collections on display. Aside from being able to try them out and gauge their comfort, customers can also select the brands they most identify with and can then personalise their selection from a wide range of fabrics and colours that can be adapted to any piece, making each project unique – you won’t find two outdoor spaces that are alike.
Royal Botania Fabrics
For clients planning their exterior spaces, Judy suggests starting with three essential areas: the dining area, the pool area and the seating area. “That’s the basis. Then you can expand to the rooftop and smaller areas such as bedroom terraces and the barbecue area.”
TRIBU
Another aspect to bear in mind is the quality of the furniture. “At Dunas Living, we work with brands that focus on sustainability. Our furniture items should last 10 years and often 20 to 30 because they are all made specifically for the outdoors and tested to withstand all kinds of weather – rain, wind and sun. The furniture is made to be strong and resistant,” she explains. “What’s more, the fabrics are washable and have protection against UV rays. The materials we work with most often are teak, powder coated aluminium and ceramics, as they are the most durable for outdoor environments.
Tuuci
As for current trends, Judy Clayton says they are hard to pinpoint as furniture is not really ruled by trends but is now the focus of more and more well-known designers who are bringing their own personalities into exterior design. “Our customers prioritise comfort, and brands are focusing on that as well as on sustainability, which is also becoming an important trend. A particular design can be on the market for many years, which is why we have so much variety in the showroom.”
As for the most popular colours, “for furniture they tend to be neutral, and then you add accents with fabrics”. Judy highlights colours such as natural linen, white and taupe. “These are the main base colours that fit all seasons. Of course, we also have brighter colours, but these tend to be used for accessories in leisure areas or on a rooftop,” she adds.
In a region boasting more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it is just as important to invest in exterior design as it is in interior design. In fact, for Judy, you could even start with the garden. “After all, how much time do we spend outside in the Algarve?” she muses.
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