Ready, set, spring...into Ikea's outdoor furniture collection!

6. Haro series, Ikea.ca

5. Roxo series, Ikea.ca

4. Solvinden series, Ikea.ca

3. Greno series, Ikea.ca

2. Hasselon series, Ikea.ca

1. Falster series, Ikea.ca

This week I was fortunate enough to get a preview of the 15th annual Canada Blooms Festival in Toronto, and boy did it get my senses blossoming! The festival, which runs March 16th-20th at the Direct Energy Center, Exhibition Place, is a spectacular celebration of landscape design, horticulture and greener ways of living, not to mention a great way to get you excited about the spring and summer season that is just around the corner, yay! I left the event ready to spring into action, literally, and reach for the gardening tools.

Serendipitously, as I began warming up my green thumb, the IKEA Summer 2011 outdoor furniture and accessory catalog arrived on my desk. The Swedish company's latest designs are hard not to like (both in design and price) with fabulous colors and patterns, durable materials and endless storage possibilities. Here are a few of my favourites.

1. Falster series looks and feels like wood but is actually plastic with a wood-like texture, which makes it super easy to care for. The rust-proof aluminum frame chairs are weather-resistant and fantastic!

2. Hasselon series is made from solid eucalyptus for better durability, and chairs are rust-proof aluminum and resilient mesh. This collection will look good in any yard or cottage.

3. No matter what your look is, the Greno series will surely fulfill your outdoor space needs. From checkered and assorted colors, to stripes of all sorts, these removable, washable pillows and accessories are delightful.

4. Solvinden series brings a sparkle to your outdoor space. The magical summer nights come alive with these solar powered, cordless LED lights. There are globes, table lamps, garden lights and silhouette models, all available in assorted colors.

5. Roxo series, designed by Ola Wihlborg, is for outdoor areas with limited space. Stackable chairs, flatpacked stools and reversible cushions help you enjoy the outdoors, no matter how big your space. Available in bold and beautiful pinks, blues, greens, whites.

6. Haro series, designed by Mia Gammelgaard, consists of folding tables and folding chairs, perfect for condo-style outdoor spaces.