THE OUTSIDERS; IT'S GETTING HOTTER IN PATIO-FURNITURE MARKET.

Byline: Carla Sanders

Is summer on your mind? It'd better be, if you want the pick of the lot for outdoor furniture this season.

From discount stores to high-end retailers, patio designs are making a big, bold splash. Customers started snapping up some of the best specimens in March, according to retailers. That's the prime buying season to ensure a wide array of choices and prices. But for bargain hunters, now's the time to catch good buys as some stores start putting outdoor furnishings on sale.

And there are plenty of suppliers to choose from. Everyone's getting into the outdoor act - from discount stores selling aluminum sling chairs for $18 to Ethan Allen's Spa series, made of golden teak, that will run your credit card bill up $3,600 for a five-piece patio set complete with umbrella.

``Our products are better-quality products because of our high quality regulation and height of construction and finishing,'' said Greg Stout, vice president of merchandise at Ethan Allen.

Martha Stewart's mass-produced line for Kmart offers everything from wooden benches to lattice-designed chairs to glass-topped tables.

And at Target, the annual offerings of family-size patio sets (averaging about $500) are accompanied this year by Michael Graves' contemporary style wood furniture and the fresh appeal of intimate bistro-style sets built for two.

Meanwhile, Pier 1 Imports, which has focused primarily on rattan and wicker tropical looks for interior use, are cautiously testing the outdoor market this season with a couple of offerings. Its Del Rey line of wood furnishings is classically styled, and some stores also carry cushioned black metal dining chairs with a mosaic table.

``Pier 1 has been an indoor furniture store and is just now introducing outdoor furniture, and we'll see how it goes,'' said Liza Ratliff, public relations coordinator for the chain.

This season, a big seller at Fishbeck's, the Pasadena institution that has been outfitting patios for 100 years, is expected to be the resin weave, according to sales rep Tim Gilliam. The chairs and table edges have the look of wicker but without the eventual deterioration.

``It won't unravel; you can hose it down,'' said Gilliam.

Plus, its neutral, yellowish-brown color makes it suitable for many surroundings, and the material won't get overheated - a big bonus for skimpily clad summer bodies.

Wood is popular, too, especially quality hardwoods such as teak.

``It will last a long time (and) usually comes with a 15- to 20-year warranty,'' Gilliam said. ``They're very low maintenance, they can sit out in the elements and will weather to a nice silver patina. It's a very durable hardwood.''

The best part: It won't splinter.

Down a bit on the cost scale are the plastic strap sets and the sling sets that are sturdy, practical and easy to maintain. The downside: Suntan lotion on the straps and slings can discolor them.

But there's an answer for that, too. All Patio LLC in San Fernando will repair most any patio set, including replacing overstretched or stained vinyl straps.

``We take off the vinyl straps, sandblast (the furniture), paint and restrap with virgin vinyl strapping,'' said Tony Hanses, co-owner of the 14-year-old business.

The cost to repair an average vinyl strap patio chair is between $75 and $85. Repairs for patio furniture made of wrought iron cost a little more - from $69 to $99 to fix a chair - and bringing a wood patio chair back to life can cost $99 to $199.

On average, it takes four to five weeks to repair a table and four chairs. And if you just can't live without your patio furniture for that long, the company will loan you a nice set while yours is being repaired.

``We do that to keep people from being anxious about their furniture,'' Hanses said.

Daily News Staff Writer Angelica Palacios contributed to this story.

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4 Photos

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) On the cover: Target's five-piece wrought-iron set includes reversible cushions. The market umbrella is sold separately.

(2--Color) Target goes upscale with the Michael Graves Indonesian hardwood patio set ($479.95) and market umbrella ($99.99).

(3--Color) Longtime indoor-furniture purveyor Pier 1 Imports goes outside with its Del Rey wood set featuring a table ($200), sling chairs ($65 each), slat-back chairs ($85 each) and umbrella ($85).

(4--Color) Martha Stewart weighs in with her three-piece Cafe Set ($99.99) from the South Beach Collection at Kmart.