Global Warming Minnesota Style

Greetings from the Tundra,

Some people ask, can you really leave this beautiful furniture outside all year long? The bench in the photo is an antique we found in a remote village of Java, Indonesia. It now resides in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota at JL's sister, the Thorsgaard's home. The photo is of our daughter Eva and her friend on the second day of winter, December 22nd.

This bench is left outside year round and like all teak furniture, it fades to a beautiful gray patina with no up keep.

Getting out of the Arizona desert and up in a Minnesota winter makes it really feel like the Holidays. Enjoy the season.

Designer Suess Unveils New Teak Line At Barrett-Jackson Show

Well, the news we have waited to hear for a while has happened. World renowned indoor and outdoor designer, Mark Suess will make an appearance to introduce his new creations at the Barrett-Jackson show, January in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Check back here to find out the exact dates he will be in Scottsdale. There will be a seminar associated with this along with an official unveiling to the media and the public.

Here is the official information:

Dec. 21, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Global Surroundings, LLC introduces the Mark Suess Collections of teak furniture for indoor, outdoor living
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Phoenix-based Global Surroundings is introducing the Mark Suess Collections of teak furniture at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event Jan. 13-20.

“The Barrett-Jackson event is the perfect venue to introduce the Mark Suess Collections to the world,” said Global Surroundings owner JL Jackson.

With dramatic dimensions, luxurious fabrics and a bold new take on traditional teak, the Mark Suess Collections bring casual furniture to new levels of style, scale and comfort.

“The discerning clientele attending Barrett-Jackson appreciates the finer things in life, and the Mark Suess Collections deliver,” Jackson said.

“Barrett-Jackson has transformed into a must-attend event, with patrons from all over the world not only attending to witness exquisite collector vehicles cross the block, but to take part in the lifestyle elements that are just as much a part of the experience," said Craig Jackson, CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

“We are proud to partner with Mark on his two latest collections, Bellasera and Tuscano. Mark is a very special talent," JL Jackson said. “Not only is he a visionary for outdoor living, but he also is a very hands-on designer. After Mark drew the designs, he worked side by side with our Indonesian craftsmen to convey his ideas for creating these exquisite pieces.”

The Mark Suess Collections are at home inside or out, crossing the threshold of what traditionally have been viewed as two distinctively different furnishing styles.

“These new collections have the same grand proportions as today’s luxury homes. The furniture supports the architecture and invites large-scale outdoor spaces to be lived in comfortably,” Suess explained.

The Mark Suess Collections will be on display in the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event’s “Lifestyle” Pavilion at Westworld in Scottsdale.

About Global Surroundings, LLC: As the global leader in sustainable, ecologically friendly furniture, Global Surroundings is a designer, manufacturer and importer. JL and Jay Jackson founded Global Surroundings in 1998 after living and traveling several years throughout Southeast Asia.

Mark Suess

Global Surroundings Skates Along With Bali Roadmap

Remember this date: December 15th, 2007.

The Bali Road Map is going to change the future of our climate and change the way people look at our business. Clearly the United States is finally going to be on board with the rest of the world on climate change and it will trickle all the way down to the furniture industry in a big way.

Ten years ago when we began this business, we used recycled teak wood to build furniture simply because it looked cool and was a good story. Now today the world is realizing that keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum is good for everyone.

In 2008 look for us to incorporate more designs with reclaimed teak and even other mediums.

Whether you are a retailer, a designer or an end user, the time is now to hop on the eco-friendly train. This is not "greenwashing". This is real, and now the tipping point has finally arrived. Welcome to our journey.

Here is a photo of one of my recent trips to Bali. Sometimes I inline skate to be very eco-friendly in small villages as I look for interesting finds.

Tuscano Bar Introduced

Recently we introduced the Tuscano Bar and Bar Stool to the Mark Suess Collection. The Bar is very elegant and because it is made of teak wood, it can be used inside or out.

The Bar Stool is of teak an iron and is very durable. The heavy iron used will not blow away. The hand carving on each piece is stunning.

See these pieces at the Barrett-Jackson Auction coming up in Janary in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Paddy O To Open New Store In Scottsdale

Paddy O' Furniture is set to open their newest location about January 1st on Scottsdale road just south of the 101. This will be a fabulous new store showing off furniture both indoors and out.

Their furniture is always displayed beautifully and the quality is top notch. Check out our Rusteaka Collection as they are the exclusive retailer in the valley. Please email us at jay@globalsurroundings.com for further information.

Suess Collections To Be Unveiled At Barrett-Jackson

When you introduce the most beautiful outdoor teak furniture in the world, it may as well be at a special place. Non other than the most famous car auction in the world. Furniture at a car auction you say? It has been widely known that the Barrett-Jackson auction has turned into much more than cars.

There is an entire "Lifestyle Pavilian" that includes everything from Jewelry, High-end electronics to Lear Jets and now of course the unveiling of the most high-end teak furniture available anywhere!

Mark your calendars for this once in a lifetime showing, January 12-20th in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Here is their web site to learn more: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/

Its too early to announce yet, but we may even have the designer himself, Mark Suess making a appearance at the show. Please come back here to the blog to learn more.

Here is a sampling of what we will be showing:

and

Get ready to see first hand the most beautiful and comfortable outdoor teak furniture ever unveiled!

Rusteaka Collection Hot in Texas

It seems lately the Rusteaka Collection is seeing the hottest reception right now in Texas. We have two retailers in particular, that are doing an outstanding job with Rusteaka. Covering Austin and San Antonio is the very stellar outdoor retailer: Greenhouse Mall. They have two locations in the Austin area and one in San Antonio.

Rusteaka fits in well in the Hill Country and they are the premiere retailer in the area.

The Arrangement is a fabulous furniture store with locations in Dallas and Houston. They bill themselves as "The Best of the New West Home Interiors". Their vision is to create unforgettable home and office settings inspired by the spirit of the west. The store in Dallas is absolutely stunning. If you are headed in to see our products, we suggest you move quickly. On the last two shipments, the furniture is being sold when its still in the back warehouse.

We worked in conjunction with them to design a custom bed. Made of reclaimed teak wood, a carved headboard, this bed is very unique. Texas is a big state but these two retailers cover the 4 major cities very well. Please look them up and check out Rusteaka!