All About The Great Outdoors

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All about the great outdoors.. 

Today I am sharing with all of you the secrets of the great outdoors.. All you need to know to build a fantastic modern contemporary outdoor space that is sure to be the talk of the town is here in this next post so read on and learn how to create the perfect outdoor space.. 

Enjoy the pics and post

a modern picnic table?

What ever happen to good old-fashioned picnic tables? For quite a while, they could be seen in every yard, park, etc., but now it seems as though people make more contemporary style choices with their outdoor furniture and have no need for these traditional pieces. Still, can anything really beat the memories a group can make gathered around a picnic table?

Well, The Hopper table pictured above certainly changes ones opinion about picnic tables! This sleek picnic table by Extremis was thoughtfully designed Dirk Wynants who was inspired by communal celebrations. Hoppers, farmers and long days working out in the field often ended with everyone gathering around a long table swapping stories, sharing laughs and indulging in some great homemade food.

The Hopper’s benches and tabletop are made from natural Iroko wood while the frame and bolts are powder-coated steel. The integrated sunshade is more than appreciated for areas that receive direct sun all day but of course, this can be closed if you prefer or eliminated altogether!

To find out more information on the unique Extremis creations or to locate a dealer, you can visit their website. Sometimes early inventions just need a little attention to spin them into something new and dynamic.

revamping old wicker

Before you toss that old wicker in the trash or pass up that table set selling for a few dollars at a garage sale based on appearance, you should know that it can look dynamic with minimal effort. Wicker has a long life, sometimes it just needs a little help to be aesthetically-pleasing after a few years.

• Secure Weak Pieces – If there are any pieces that are weak, secure them using fiberglass packing tape. Then, apply glue over the nail joints and hold splintering pieces together with tightly wrapped fine stainless steel wire.

• Fix Unraveled Pieces – Brush diluted exterior glue over these pieces to soften them and hold them in place with tape until they dry.
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• Prep – Using an old banister brush, clean away dirt, flaking varnish and old paint. Some parts may even need a bit of attention with fine-grit sandpaper.

• Paint – Use a self-priming acrylic to paint the wicker. If the piece is super old and extra dry, use two coats. This will give the wicker more stability and strength.

You can find old wicker anywhere that can be made to look brilliant with a little effort. Whether you use it indoors or outdoors, these are classic pieces that will never go out of style! They’re not only perfect for your deck or patio area, they’re ideal for entryways, a child’s room, reading room, basement or anywhere else you want to add a little color.

how to build a rock garden

Fall is here, and you’ve no doubt already seen its withering effects on your perennials as they die off for the colder months. Gardens are a lovely addition to any home’s landscaping, but it can be a bit disheartening to care for them all spring and summer, only to watch them fade to brown come winter.

Rock gardens can help combat the retreat of your flowerbeds. Always a staple in modern landscaping, rock gardens feature large and small colorful rocks scattered artistically across a front or back yard. Here are the basic steps to create your own rock garden, so you can have a beautiful yard all year round:

1. Choose the location for your rock garden. If you want to place it in a large, sprawling space, you’ll need more rocks and a more natural design concept than if you want only a small rock garden bed amidst other landscaping elements.
2. Find the rocks that you’ll use in the garden. When choosing rocks, consider the color (do you want red sandstone or grey limestone?), size, and shape of your rocks. Large, oddly shaped rocks are often the centerpieces of a rock garden.
3. Choose the plants that will accent your rocks. Some believe that the plants you choose should only be those that grow naturally amongst rocks, while other go for sprigs of bright color amidst the stones. The choice is yours.
4. Place, plant and position your rock garden. You’ll likely need help from a strong friend or a landscaper when moving the heavy boulders and rocks around your yard, so before you even begin you should have a solid design plan in your head to minimize the amount of lifting.
5. Enjoy your year-round landscape!

companion outdoor bar table

Pristine patio perfection. The all-American style of outdoor furniture meets a unique modern flair in this Companion Outdoor Bar Table. The table is made of thick lines and uses southern yellow pine as its base. This renewable American wood is stained in your choice of a number of colors, including apple green, white, Caribbean blue, natural and many more. It is then given a distressed finish, which makes it appear authentically weather-worn and well-loved. Your outdoor dining experience will benefit from the stability and the southern country style that this table will bring. The Companion Outdoor Bar Table is available at Spacify.com for $532.00.

resort outdoor sectional

Entertain guests in style with this modular outdoor sectional set. Combine the three styles, corner chair, armless chair and ottoman, into patterns and layouts to reflect your summertime mood. This sectional can be easily rearranged to be long and sleek or intimate and square. And the only sweat you’ll break will be because of the summer heat: these durable chairs are lightweight and compact. They go for between $249 and $399 a piece, or $1,346 for a 4-piece set atwww.cb2.com. Get your chill on this summer with this customizable patio set and feel like you’re on a resort in your own backyard.

etra chaise lounge and side table

SIMPLISTIC, STYLISH, SLEEK SEATING.  The clean lines and subtle shades of this outdoor seating set allows for modern lines, contemporary style, and a clean look in your outdoor spaces.  Featuring an adjustable back, there is no skimping on relaxation.  These pieces are suitable for by the pool, on a patio, and on a deck these loungers and side tables offer the perfect punch of comfort and elegance.  Choose from seven different colors and two different finishes, allowing for versatility and the ability to achieve the exact look you are going after.  You can purchase this outdoor furniture set from allmodern.com for $3,598.00.

cabana club modular seating collection

VISITORS WILL SWARM YOUR PAD WHEN OUTDOOR ROOMS ARE OUTFITTED with this Cabana Club Modular Seating Collection.  How could contemporary decorators resists the unique style of these pieces when decorating their decks, patios, and outdoor rooms?  Luxurious finishes, sleek curves, and glisten bring a resort-like look to designs.  Throwing parties will take on new meaning when guests lounge on seating and use surfaces that accommodate both day and evening entertaining.  Homeowners who prefer quiet evenings alone will also appreciate the comfort, beauty, and durability of these pieces.  The clean lines create stunning environments, while bringing in comfort with plush textures.  This collection is available throughFrontGate.com starting at $1,295.00.

Like I said..

All about the outdoors..

AG Home Goods

Outdoor Furniture Ideas

How To Spring Your Patio Into Action

Like closing up your cabin for the winter, certain measures should be taken to brace your patio and its patio furniture for colder months. Post-hibernation however, it is equally as important to inspect and treat a patio in the spring for the bumps and bruises that can occur while we were inside. Thankfully for our weary, cold weather spirits, springtime weather is just around the corner and with the help of these hints on how to spring your patio back into action, you’ll officially be ready for the sun.

1)  If your patio is concrete, make sure it’s free of cracks before bringing your outdoor furniture out of your garden shed.  To do this, first make sure that all of the outdoor decor is  cleared off. Then, with either caulk or epoxy, begin to fill in any of the cracks. You’ll want to add sand to epoxy for aesthetic purposes – making it a perfect match of the concrete – and then smooth over the epoxy just as you would flatten out concrete itself.
2)    Using a concrete sealant after filling in the cracks will help prevent future cracking. You should first make sure the area is swept, and cleaned with an acidic cleaning agent to best remove stains, before applying the sealant to the patio.
3)    Look over all of the patio furniture for damaged areas and reconfigure the pieces on the patio. You may notice a bit of rust or patina to the garden furniture, so if necessary repaint, reupholster, or purchase new additions as needed. Set them out according to a plan you have in mind from the previous year, or adjust as necessary.
4)    Speaking of new additions, one thing you’ll definitely want to add this year, if   you don’t have one already, is a grill. Together with the outdoor furniture, bringing a grill into the scene adds a charming outdoor dining effect and is convenient for warm summer parties. If you have one already, make sure it’s positioned right where you want it, equipped with its tools and gas or coal, and polished up for use.



If you go through the simple steps of ensuring your patio is topped off with all cracks filled, all outdoor furniture touched up, and with a new sealant, all you’ll need then is to pull out the grill and do some entertaining to officially get rid of the winter blues!

Tags: garden furniture, grill, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, picnic tables

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Round Up: Admirable Adirondack Chairs

The quintessential patio chair – tried and true since their inception in 1903 when eleven pieces of wood cut from a single board made their shape – Adirondack chairs are a crowd favorite for entertaining in the backyard, rocking on the front porch, and even folding up when space is needed. It seems that whatever the purpose, an Adirondack chair has a solution for the problem. Thin, reclined, and with a great geometry that accounts for the comfort we seek in an outdoor patio chair, the Adirondack chair varieties serve almost all of our basic human needs in everlasting style.

Treated Pine Kennebunkport Chair: Named after the town in York County, Maine that is known well for its reputation as “a summer haven for the wealthy”, the Kennebunkport Adirondack chair uses Treated Pine in this classy version. Hand-crafted and durable from the nature of its wood, this chair uses galvanized bolts, washers, and nuts to finish out the Adirondack chair’s stylish appearance and help it to sit tall and strong forever.

Polywood Adirondack Rocker: Rocking in the already reclined comfort of an Adirondack chair is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon. Knowing it is made from a Polywood material, or polyethylene plastic lumber, makes you feel that much more at ease knowing you’re keeping forests in tact and plastics out of the landfill. Use this classic porch rocker on your porch or as a set on your patio by the pool. Wherever it decides to rest, a Polywood frame with stainless steel hardware adorning your outdoor living area makes the simple things in life the most pleasurable.



3) Eucalyptus Stained Folding Adirondack Chair: Likely a conversation piece wherever it rocks, the Eucalyptus Stained Folding Adirondack Chair is as apparently luxurious as it is sturdy. Often related to the Teak outdoor furniture whose natural oils help create long-lasting outdoor furniture sets, the FSC Certified Eucalyptus wood is dense and gorgeous when paired with stainless and galvanized steel hardware. To make it even better, this Folding Adirondack chair made it onto this list for its ability to do just as it states – fold up and be put away easily for events, dining or ray of sunshine that comes your way.



4) Red Cedar Southern Wide Slat Adirondack Chair: With massive 5” wide back slats for full body support, the design of this Red Cedar Southern Wide Slat Adirondack Chair lends itself to a great afternoon read or conversation without worry. The deep seating area provides plentiful comfort and lumbar support while the wide arms rest weary limbs at any point during the day. With zinc-plated steel hardware, the Western Red Cedar wood and its 390-lb capacity are a welcome addition to households where size and quality are almost as important as the beautiful design of the patio furniture.

Outdoor Room Design- Defining Spaces and Creating Separation

Outdoor spaces grow with every season, as homeowners create alfresco dining spaces with picnic tables and outdoor napping spots with swing beds.  However, the greatest opportunities can sometimes serve the greatest challenges.  I love the limitless prospects of decorating without walls or ceilings, but creating distinct spaces can be difficult without these go-to dividers.
Many people want a space for dinner parties as well as space for casual socializing.  Using creative barriers can help define spaces and communicate an open, yet structured outdoor space design.
Pathways: Often, space can be the best friend to the outdoor decorator.  If you’re lucky enough to take advantage of an expansive backyard, don’t feel pressured to pile your outdoor rooms on top of each other.  Housing your living space in a gazebo and your dining area under your porch (near the kitchen!) will clearly delineate your outdoor rooms.
To propel guests toward different outdoor rooms, use inviting pathways.  Paver stones and brick walkways work well, but treated pine roll-up walkways are an economical and portable option. Laying out pathways and walkways clearly tells guests where to explore!


Structures:  Using` a destination spot for dining.  Using structures not only adds dynamic architectural elements to your landscape, it creates more covered areas for relaxing and entertaining.



Flora: Using vertical gardening techniques can also create private spaces and living walls between outdoor rooms.  Growing wisteria or trumpet vines up a trellis or garden arbor will develop colorful, living and growing walls that will make guests feel at home in a secret garden.  Using garden arbors with gates and softening the latticed edges with growing morning glories will let beautiful color spill over into every available outdoor space.



Separating living, dining and lounging spaces within your outdoor rooms will make your backyard areas seem larger and more encompassing.  Group your outdoor furniture and patio furniture into outdoor rooms and make entertaining easy by cuing your guests around your outdoor living spaces.
Have Fun!
Hazel.

Trend Watch- Sit Back and Relax into Outdoor Deep Seating Collections

All too often in world of fashion, new styles enter the scene with a bang. Its not before a quick dressing room session and purchase that a silent prayer for comfort is made – since you know you’ll be wearing the non-stretchy skinny jeans or platform wedges regardless. With furniture, trends that range from hard and modern to thick and plush go in and out of style just as quickly as in fashion. This season, we welcome patio deep seating to the mix as one of the hottest – and thankfully, one of the most comfortable  styles of the season.

One of the coolest parts about the outdoor deep seating collections hitting the scene this spring is their ability to match a wide range of outdoor furniture you may already have. Take for instance the chic style of a Mission Sofa with cushions.  The outdoor sofa has cushions that come in so many different colors that it will find a way to match your pre-existing collections or outdoor themes.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, take a deeply set outdoor wicker chaise lounge or even a treated wood swingbed. The porch swing swingbed uses the same design as a classic porch swing, but boasts a deep and wide seat.  The deep seat lets loungers lay down and spread out, as if they were swinging on an outdoor porch bed.

Find yourself falling into one of the best pieces of patio furniture fashion with the deep seating collections for your outdoor living area. The robust surface area will prove itself as one of the best, most spacious alternatives to ordinary seating.

AG Home Goods