Wednesday, June 18, 2003

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Sunny Seats:

How do your chairs stack up? The best summer seating is comfortable, durable and weather-resistant. Stackable (so it takes up minimal space) and easily portable from outdoors to in and vice versa are other qualities we admire. And in light of the dreary weather we've had for weeks, color counts. So, we're big on hues that say summer, like sunny yellow, orange and bright white.

Leave L.L. Bean's All-Weather Adirondack chair out all year long. Take a load off in its generously proportioned contours. Don't worry a jot about upkeep; it's made of recycled milk bottles. The chair comes in white or hunter green ($229) locally at L.L. Bean or online at L.L. Bean.

Minimize pressure on your spine, maximize relaxation with Frontgate's Zero-Gravity Recliner. Lean back into it and when you've reached optimum position, lock the knob in place. The steel frame comes in white and beige and the fabric is available in white and navy mesh and in yellow fabric, among other choices. Fold it down to seven inches and pack it away at the end of the season. The recliner is $169 from Frontgate; buy two or more, and they're $149 each.

Comings and Goings:

Kate Spade has opened its first boutique in D.C. in Georgetown, where else? Now customers will have a choice as to whether they want to get their handbags from the corner vendor or pay the big bucks for the real McCoy.

Longtime favorite Arise is closing July 27. Take 20 to 70 percent off everything from bronze Buddhas to antique textiles. Owner Paul Maclardy will retain his large warehouse operation while he looks for another retail space.

I Scream, You Scream:

Target stores' latest promotion hypes their fun summer collection of pool toys, beach towels, coolers and picnic baskets, starting at 99 cents for an I Scream Beach Ball.

Sale Stuff:

Bathing suits take the plunge at Sylene's. Look for discounts of 50 percent.

Until June 30, during Garnet Hill's Summer Sale, Charisma bath towels are selling for $15, some cotton sheet patterns are reduced 50 percent and women's Camper leather flip-flops are $64, reduced from $118.

Don't wait till next winter's chill to buy a down comforter. Until Sept. 4, at the Company Store, the Hungarian white goose down comforter in four warmth levels (super light, light, medium warmth and extra warmth) is on sale. Snag a queen or a king-size one from $203 to $263.