News from SHADEmakers

MultiValve – extraordinary canopies from SHADEmakers

Angus — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:00:12 +0000

Many of our parasols such as the Giglio, Sirio and Poker are available with our optional MultiValve canopy system. The layered design provides much improved wind resistance and heat dissipation. The canopies, in our opinion, make for some of the most attractive parasols around, open or even closed!

The layered structure allows wind to pass through the canopy, greatly reducing any ‘sail’ effect to the point that parasols with MultiValve canopies can be used in previously inappropriate locations such as super yachts (see our maritime parasol, the Girasole Evolution). The layered structure also allows for any warm air that forms under the canopy to escape thus creating better ventilation on those warm days.

MultiValve canopies are available either in Solution Dyed Acrylic or Soltis Air fabrics. Soltis Air is a fabric by Ferrari whose Micro air technology provides a breathable yet water proof membrane.

MultiValve canopies are available with the following parasols: Arcobaleno, Giglio, Girasole Iroko, Girasole Evolution, Girasole Lusso, Poker, Quadrifoglio and Sirio

SHADEmakers make and deliver a Girasole Iroko to NYC’s Bryant Park

Angus — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 11:00:11 +0000

Shademakers has just delivered a 3.5m octagonal Girasole Iroko parasol with a valence and custom printing. Bryant Park is a 9.5 acre park located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. After falling into decline in the 70s and 80s, the park had a major 4 year renovation, reopening in 1992. The reopened park is considered one of the signatures of the New York’s revival in the early 1990s and has since grown the nickname of “Town Square of Midtown” as a result of it being a very popular after work destination for nearby workers. The park is actually now the most densely occupied park in the world. Many events are held in the park including concerts, plays and a feature of the summer calendar is the “Piano in the Park” which brings some of the best pianists from across New York to play in the park. The new Girasole Iroko will provide shade to the pianists as they work their magic throughout the summers!

Here are some photos of the custom canopy prior to delivery and Bryant Park itself:

(Click to enlarge)

- Update – Latest Photos from Bryant Park

Photos supplied by the Bryant Park Corporation – many thanks. Credits:

Event series: Piano in Bryant Park, May – October, every weekday at lunch, different performer every week.
Performer: Kuni Mikami
Photo: Julie Ember

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 – Parasols for Audi and Qatar Airways.

Angus — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:47:43 +0000

SHADEmakers UK recently supplied parasols to three different events at this years Festival of Speed at Goodwood. The FoS has been running since 1993 and the annual hill climb event has become one of the most important events in motor racing’s calendar. Taking place in early July the event takes place in the traditional summer break for motorsports such as F1 and is a magnet for race teams and car manufactures from all over the world, the later often launching some of their more sort after models. Nowadays the event attracts more that 150,000 people and has a sister event, the “Revival“, held in September. For this year’s event Audi took centre stage, constructing an enormous centrepiece statue infront of Goodwood House.

We supplied a Liberty parasol to Audi for a promo event for their new R8 V10 – see photo below (and yes the car does somewhat distract from the Liberty in the first shot!). The Liberty parasol is a 3.5m one with a Pearl Mist canopy. We also supplied Audi’s main stand with a dozen Luna centrepost parasols (also with pearl mist canopies) for the large seating area outside. Unfortuately we forgot to take any photos but we’ve dug this one out (see below) – though typically the sun was in and our Lunas were closed!

We also supplied Qatar Airways‘ stand with 16 of our Harmattan 2.6m Octagonal parasols (wooden centreposts and in this case Pearl Mist Canopies).

Giglio parasol installed at Darwin’s Down House

Angus — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:41:12 +0000

SHADEmakers has recently completed the installation of a Giglio parasol at Charles Darwin’s former home, Down House, located in the village of Downe in the London Borough of Bromley. The English naturalist’s home is now a museum, owned and managed by English Heritage and house and surrounding area has recently been nominated by the UK government to become a World Heritage Site. SHADEmakers has installed the double canopy Giglio parasol which features the MultiValve canopy system and an iroko post.

(click to enlarge)

Shademakers parasols at the Grove Hotel & Spa

Angus — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:29:04 +0000

Shademakers have recently installed a number of parasols at the Grove Hotel & Spa. The Grove is a luxury counrty house hotel located in Hertfordshire that offers 300-acres of park and woodlands, spa, world championship golf course and three restaurants.

Shademakers have installed a number of Luna and Sirio parasols. The large Sirios, in this case fitted with MultiValve canopies, offer large shaded areas for those relaxing after using the adjacent golf course. The MultiValve canopies are not only particularly striking but also allow wind to easily pass through them, greatly improving their stability on gusty days. The Lunas offer excellent compact shade to tables and alike and feature screen printed canopies.

(click to enlarge)

Sirocco paraols now at Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower

Angus — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:40:40 +0000

Shademakers has just installed a number of white Sirocco parasols at the Spinnaker Tower’s “Tower Cafe/Bar”. The tower, which now forms the centrepiece of the redevelopment of Portsmouth Harbour, has proved a huge success in recent years despite its troubled beginnings with many delays and cost over runs. Intended to be open for the millenium, construction actually started in 2001 and opened in October 2005. Today the tower offers spectacular views of Portsmouth and the Solent. The “Tower Cafe/Bar” sits at the foot of the tower and the new Siroccos can be found providing shade to the tables and chairs on the veranda running around the quay.

The white centre post parasols provide compact shade solutions, perfect for this space. The Sirocco features a telescopic mast that allows the canopy to be retracted without affecting any tables and chairs below it. Aluminium and stainless steel mast and parts as well as features such as a laser welded top hat will ensure these parasols stand the test of time as well as anything the weather from the nearby Solent may through at it.

(Click to enlarge)

Shademakers at the Pub Business Show

Angus — Sun, 13 May 2007 17:22:44 +0000

Shademakers had a stand at the 2007 Pub Business Show. Here’s a photo of our stand:

Perfect parasols – Daily Telegraph

Angus — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 11:18:29 +0000

Shademakers have popped up in an article by the Daily Telegraph called Perfect Parasols which you can read here!

Shademakers at the Tatton Park Flower Show

Angus — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:27:19 +0000

Recently we were at the RHS Show, Tatton Park. Located near Knutsford, Cheshire, the show is one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s regional shows which has taken place annually since 1999.

Shademakers at Pub & Bar Show

Angus — Fri, 13 May 2005 17:12:19 +0000

Shademakers attended the 2005 Pub & Bar Show at Olympia. The show has been running since 1997, run by the Publican.