Outdoor furniture that's refined

It can be hard to tell anymore where the living room ends and the outdoors begin.

This summer's patio furniture blurs the lines with weather-resistant materials and sophisticated color schemes that would look right at home indoors.

Stereo One in Cape Girardeau offers an outdoor television it claims is even waterproof, and Kenco has dozens of patio grill and accessory options for the upscale outdoor area.

Aluminum is now rugged, powder-coated and sleek in rich caramel or velvety black. High-tech composite woven cushions dry quickly and hold their shape for years.

For those willing to spend the sum required to turn the backyard into a mini four-star resort, there are spectacular pieces to be had.

"One of the most interesting trends is towards statement pieces — large, unique, oversized elements," said Eric Parsons, president of Gloster, one of the pacesetters in the high-end outdoor marketplace. He points to woven pieces, organic curves and unusual colors as the hot looks this year.

Southeast Missourian features editor Chris Harris contributed to this report.