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An emerging new trend in the United States is "staycations," which refers to people who opt to stay home in lieu of taking vacations due to rising gas and travel costs. This is the same growing homeowner segment seeking to improve their outdoor living spaces, along with "casualizing" indoor areas, for the utmost comfort in their humble abodes.

Locally, Debs Pedigo, owner of Fire House Casual Living stores, the Furniture Marketplace, and the Casual Living MarketPlace, offers his insight for current indoor and outdoor casual furnishings' trends:

"For outdoors, look for cushioned, deep seated furniture and synthetic wickers," said Pedigo. "Today's synthetic wickers are so good people can't tell it from real wicker, plus it lasts much longer, coloration is incredible, and it won't decay like regular wicker. Changing out cushions when you want a new look works for these high durability frames that will last a lifetime."

Pedigo also noted that indoor furnishings are more casual. Slipcovers are popular particularly for people with pets, plus they're easier to maintain and change.

"There's a growing trend toward smaller scale furniture for downtown condo living, along with outdoor furniture due to more balcony settings that require smaller dining sets," added Pedigo.

Turnkey sources for entire casual outdoor and indoor rooms are thriving. This has not gone unnoticed by Pedigo. Not only does he offer a full array of outdoor home furnishings, but goes a step further by opening Casual Living Marketplace, a combo of his other two store concepts by offering all your indoor and outdoor casual home furnishing
and accessory needs in one convenient location.

"To my knowledge, no other store in Charlotte offers indoor casual furniture alongside outdoor furniture and accessories," Pedigo says. "A home's outdoor room is an extension of the interior and homeowners want to coordinate the looks."