Fire Pits and Chat Groups: The Hot Patio Furniture Trend for 2011By JHCadmin, March 21, 2011You’ve heard of patio sets – which typically consist of four chairs around a dining table. But are you familiar with chat groups?Chat groups, also known as conversation sets or chat pits, consist of four chairs gathered around a fire pit. Whereas the focus of patio sets is on sitting and eating, the focus of chat groups is on – you guessed it – sitting and chatting.The focal point of a chat group is the fire pit (also known as a fire bowl). A fire pit sits lower than a table, creating a relaxed (and warm!) atmosphere conducive to conversation.Here's an example: The Vesuvius Chat Pit, manufactured by O.W. Lee (available from Rich's): What is a Fire Pit?If you haven’t seen a fire pit in action, it provides the ambiance and comfort of a campfire minus the smoke and ash. Fire pits are designed for outdoor use, but they are not wood-burning, so you shouldn’t attempt to cook (or roast marshmallows) over them. Many fire pits have adjustable flames and they are powered with either liquid propane, gel fuel (an alcohol-based blend), or natural gas. The bowl can incorporate realistic log sets, river rock, lava rock, or tumbled glass.Below is an interior view of the Glass Top Firelight, from Agio, along with an exterior view of the same fire pit: Following are examples of various styles of fire pits:Largo Chat Pit, from O.W. Lee:Santorini Chat Pit, from O.W. Lee:Hampton Real Flame Fire Bowl:Mix-and-MatchIf you already own a patio set, consider adding a fire pit to your set. You can mix and match chairs, sofas, and swivel gliders and add a complementary fire pit to create a fresh, updated look for 2011. We has several chat groups on display in our five Puget Sound showrooms in Lynnwood, Bellevue, Southcenter, Tacoma, or Silverdale, so you can get great ideas for what will look best on your patio.Our chat group displays include outdoor dishware as well as a variety of statuaries and planters so you can easily design a new look for your entire outdoor room.Subscribe to Rich’s blogSubscribe to our blog via your feed reader or receive our latest posts in your e-mail Inbox. Simply click “Subscribe to this blog’s feed” or fill out the form located in the right-hand sidebar of our blog. ‘Like’ Rich’s on FacebookWe also provide daily tips and Internet-only specials on our Facebook page. Hope you’ll “like” us, and encourage your Facebook friends to join us, too.Recent Articles See All Infrared Saunas: Relax at Home from the Inside Out Saunas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:September 1, 2023 Eight benefits of relaxing in an infrared sauna, plus our favorite saunas by Health Mate: the Enrich, Inspire, and Essential series. Read More Outdoor Lanterns Add Dramatic Elegance: Tempest Torch and Tempest Lantern Tempest Torch Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:August 1, 2023 Gas lamps dramatic elegance to outdoor spaces. Learn about Tempest Torches and Tempest Lanterns. Read More 5 Trends in Luxury Outdoor Furnishings for 2023 Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:July 1, 2023 Create a stylish, comfortable, multi-functional outdoor oasis that you’ll love spending time in. Read More Complete Fire Pits by Fire Garden: Big, Bold, Beautiful Flames Fire Pits Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2023 Dreaming of a fully-assembled, weatherproof fire pit that provides cozy warmth year-round? Check out Complete Fire Pits, a new line of fire pits manufactured locally by our friends at Travis Industries. Read More Minimalist, Modern, Danish Patio Furniture by Houe Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:May 1, 2023 Rich’s customers love the Danish modern, minimalistic style of Houe furnishings, so we continue to expand our line each year. Check out our selection of dining tables and chairs, cafe tables, chaise lounges, rocking chairs, tray tables, and benches. Read More Adirondack Chairs: Weatherproof and Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:April 3, 2023 MADirondack (by Seaside Casual), is a modern take on the Adirondack style. These sleek ergonomic chairs have a seat height of 14" and an arm height of 22". Read More