Atuto, Ouzts give metal and clay a new twist

By Susan Dickenson -- Home Accents Today, 11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Randy Ouzts has completed a line of garden containers, topiaries and decorative items for Atuto, a Honduras-based source of private label and wholesale handcrafted home and garden products.

The new collection of 55 pieces includes sculpted, woven and twisted metal forms and topiaries, many of which interchange and coordinate with the collection's clay containers and planters. The new forms include designs inspired by Ouzts' garden tours in England, pieces for use in larger spaces, and a number of items suitable for use indoors or out. “I have always wanted to do a line of containers that would service the garden center and the boutique store,” Ouzts said. “The new collection's finishes are very exciting and have their own unique look.”

Ouzts said he enjoys working with Atuto, “a wonderful company committed to improving life for the local artisans and residents. ”

Since signing with Atuto, Ouzts has been very hands-on in the project's development including working alongside the artisans and welders. “Being able to experiment with new ideas and shapes, make changes and improve products on site is great. Plus, seeing firsthand how the company helps build schools and recycle products has been really rewarding.”

Ouzts also has a licensed line of garden decor with Napa Home and Garden. “My brand is very different for each company, Napa's products being more for indoors or on-the-loggia entertaining, whereas the Atuto collection is more gardener-oriented.” The products developed for Atuto will debut in January at the Atlanta market as the R.O. Collection and In the Garden with Randy Ouzts.

An elegant, multi-use container is among the new designs.