Project: dinner al fresco

You may have read my post on the disappointing outdoor umbrella from World Market. I returned that umbrella and they were very nice about the return without a receipt. I did a lot of looking for an orange (not rust) umbrella that had a crank mechanism.
No luck.
So I settled for blue, making my outdoor color scheme blue and white and orange. Ballard Designs had the best price on a 9 foot umbrella ($199) and it also had an auto tilt feature.

The pole and fabric part were separate and had to be put together. Not a difficult task but I procrastinated for nearly a week.

The quality is far superior to the previous umbrella. So far we are very pleased with this Ballard umbrella.

 It is generally windy where I live so this tie feature is helpful.

I did have one "heart attack" moment. My outdoor set is vintage and I really love the smaller scale but for a second I thought the umbrella pole was too big for the hole in the table. Luckily, it is simply snug.

I have slowly been repainting each piece. It is a bit rusty. My goal is to get the chairs finished this week. The dining table is done. The side tables and bench above will have to wait.

I realize that my deck will never be on the pages of a shelter mag but I am so glad that this year it will be useable thanks to the umbrella.
Now I am on the hunt for accessories that won't blow away or melt.
Any ideas?

 I don't totally hate World Market for the umbrella fiasco so I was thinking this Garden seat might work. Its on sale too.
Maybe cork placemats?

I have scoured Home goods and other stores to no avail.
I found this fab beast for $30 at Lowe's

I hope to have the whole thing zhushed and styled in a few more days but I am having a hard time finding the supposedly fashionable Tangerine Tango anywhere.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

World Market fail

I have been sort of piecing my outdoor space together this year. I bought some orange cushions that actually fit my vintage furniture, at Home Goods. Hooray! This vintage wrought iron furniture was previously on a screened porch and was protected. It now needs to be painted and I have been slowly tackling that. We also needed an umbrella for the table since the deck is on the west side of our house. Without some cover our deck is un-useable.

 Retailers take note: try making outdoor umbrellas in fashionable colors. I do NOT want a beige umbrella!

I found an orange one at World Market for $79 and took my time putting it out since it took me even longer to paint the table and buy an umbrella stand.

When we finally got all of those things together and took out the umbrella there was disappointment. The places where the vent attached to the larger part of the umbrella were ripping and the seams unraveling. This is right out of the package!

It goes back today.

 I am leaning towards an umbrella from Ballard. 

Anyone have any experience with those?