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April 21, 2010 on 3:45 pm

So this is the year. You’ve decided to spruce up your surroundings and create your own backyard oasis. You want to show off your gourmet cooking skills while entertaining guests in a picturesque outdoor setting.

First Course
According to a survey made by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), most people are sticking with purchasing the essentials, like the classic outdoor grill and affordable dining and seating arrangements.

Outdoor fireplaces remain a popular way to add extra warmth and atmosphere to outdoor settings, inspiring everyone from the outdoor grilling aficionado to the eager and soon-to-be expert marshmallow roaster.

Second Course
Since your outdoor dining room will most likely be used the most in the evening, you’ll want to provide proper lighting. You don’t have to buy expensive lighting systems to light up the patio or garden.

Everyone knows that ambiance can make or break even the best restaurants; use lighting to create the mood. Wrap tree trunks, patio railings or columns with white Christmas lights for an interesting, subtle effect.
If your outdoor space gets plenty of sunlight, install solar lighting that naturally lights up as it gets darker. Oil torch lamps add a rustic touch and nothing beats a host of candles for romantic dining.

Dessert
If you have a spectacular view you should arrange either your dining area or a cozy seating area in a way that will show it best.

What if you don’t have a particularly attractive view? Create one with imaginative landscaping or some interesting object d’arts. Plant a fun pink mosaic tiled flamingo in the garden or add texture and bold splashes of color with mosaic planters and urns filled with fragrant flowers. You can’t go wrong with a fountain or water feature.

Al fresco dining isn’t just about eating outdoors. The fresh open air encourages healthy appetites and before you know it you are appreciating a slower, relaxed pace to life. It’s really about creating a feast for all the senses. Buon appetito!

April 8, 2010 on 11:15 am

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” ~Robin Williams

When you look out at your backyard or deck do you feel like celebrating or going into permanent hibernation? Maybe it’s time your backyard had a mini facelift! Every well planned party starts with a guest list. Make a list of the things you want to invite into your outdoor space this year. Here are three things that made our list:

Invite Beauty
Do you love butterflies? Create your own butterfly garden or plant something that is known to attract the most varieties of butterflies.

outdoor furniture

Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush or Buddleia davidii is a perennial shrub that can grow to around 6 to 12 feet tall and spreads from 4 to 15 feet. The blooms can be pink, white, red or purple and have an orange center. The best part? The butterfly bush blooms all summer long.

Invite Comfort
You and your guests will need a comfortable place to sit and sip on cocktails. If you’ve shopping for new outdoor furniture this season you can’t go wrong with modular seating. Modular seating is all the rage and easily customizable. Have fun creating your own configurations and adding interesting accessories.

outdoor seating

Outdoor Modular Seating
Look for something constructed of rust-resistant aluminum framing. Aluminum is low maintenance and weighs just enough that it won’t be blown away on windy days. With outdoor furniture it’s best to choose neutral tones. For comfort and style, toss in some beautiful accent pillows.

Invite Warmth
One of the hottest outdoor living trends for 2010 is the backyard fire pit or fireplace. Whether used for grilling or creating ambiance, this is a great way to add interest to the landscape.

Fire Pit
Be sure to find out about your city’s fire pit rules, like how far away from your home or other buildings it needs to be. Some areas don’t allow wood burning pits, so you might want to opt for a gas burning model. If you’d rather not add a permanent fixture to your landscape, portable fire pits come in a wide range of sizes and designs.

Whether you decide on creating a special new space with some great outdoor furniture or you want to concentrate on growing a garden this year, you’ll find that a few little touches are all you need to smooth out winter’s wrinkles. Party on, Spring!