Location, location, location.
In the garden, the patio is the place where everybody congregates. Usually my clients want to know where to locate their patio and what size it should be.
The best place is where you have a natural tendency to sit; a comfortable area with ample room. If you prefer sitting in the sun, I would look at the sun pattern (during a day when you are at home) and figure out where the sunniest area of your garden is situated. The sun is the most intense between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Continue reading "Put thought into your Patio Design" »
If you have old wicker or are considering buying vintage pieces, some cleaning and other spiffing up might be in order. If the piece is in good condition structurally, restoring its original beauty is easy.
The key to keeping wicker beautiful is regular, gentle cleaning. Here's how:
To clean wicker, a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment might be all it takes. But if the piece has deep, dirty crevices, an air compressor and blow gun tool (or simply a can of compressed air) will work better.
Continue reading "Putting a fresh face on wicker furniture" »
Double chaises and other comforts bring the inside out.The furniture business is happy to accommodate cuddlers.Oversize chairs, double beds and love seats are cases in point; you have to get close to make the most of them. But until recently, outdoor togetherness was largely the purview of campers who can throw down tents, mats and sleeping bags when the mood strikes. No more.
Continue reading "Furniture that's Outside the Indoors" »
I saw these ideas from the Houston Chronicle today and wanted to pass them along. Hopefully, we have great weather this summer and can enjoy our time outside.
• CUSHIONS: Consumers want indoor comforts outside. Many companies sell furniture and umbrellas made with Sunbrella brand fabrics, which are "pretty much indestructible," says Chair King's Judy Evans. Water beads up and rolls off. Sunbrella also offers different grades of protection with one-, three- and five-year no-fade warranties.
• FAUX WICKER: People like the look of wicker but want to leave furniture outdoors; hence the popularity of powder-coated frames covered by resin strips. "Wicker feels like a vacation house," says Evans. "If you have a pool, you can get an entire tropical look and feel"
• FIRE PITS AS COOLERS: Load up the pit with ice and lay on the beer and sodas during the summer months.
• LOUNGE SEATING: Dining sets are no longer the big draw. Customers want outdoor rooms to look more like lounges, experts say. Contemporary designs are a big part of this look.
Source: Houston Chronicle
TAGS: Furniture Styles and Trends
There is nothing more beautiful than looking out the back windows of your home and seeing your very own chunk of paradise. Often we pay very close attention to the aesthetics but forget about the functionality and comfort, as well as the usefulness of our outdoor furniture. As many of you have seen there are some really cheap, literally disposable patio sets that will make due for a few summers and not much more. There are however some very nice products on the market which will last for many years and prove to be cost effective.
Continue reading "High Quality Patio Furniture" »
