All Outdoor Patio Furniture

Colorful patio umbrellas are such familiar sights, that we rarely give them a thought.  Yet, just like Adirondack chairs and porch swings, they’re integral to outdoor décor, whether on our own outdoor dining tables, or the commercial picnic tables on restaurant patios.  Certainly, they’re everywhere.

The same is true of the beach umbrellas that we see when we visit the shore, or the market umbrellas that are fixtures on outdoor kiosks and street vendors’ carts.  Of course, we all have just plain rain umbrellas in our homes; and many people keep extras in their cars and at their workplaces as well.

Therefore, it’s hard to believe that such a common item was once forbidden to commoners; but it was.  Actually, there was a time when the umbrella was considered to be one of the most important symbols of royalty, and was prohibited for use by anyone but the members of nobility.

Although no one knows for sure where or when the very first one was made, historians agree that umbrellas have been around for thousands of years.  There is evidence of their use in the courts of China and Egypt, between 1100 and 1200 b.c.; and it is known that the ancient Greeks and Romans used an early form of the patio umbrella for shade.  In fact, it was a Roman woman who was the first to oil the cloth canopies of umbrellas to make them more resistant to the weather, and increase their protection from the sun (although I’m sure they weren’t touted as being “UV-resistant” at the time).

The word, umbrella, is based on the Latin, umbra, meaning shade.  Its diminutive form, umbella, was modified, to ombrella, in Italy, where it is first known to have been used, in 1611.  The word, parasol, from the Old Italian, parare, which means, to shield or ward off, and sole, meaning sun, was originally used in 1660.

Umbrellas, or parasols, were status symbols, and, the more tiers that they had, the more important the people who used them.  For example, the Emperor of China is believed to have had a four-tiered parasol, while the King of Siam had one with nine tiers, each of which featured ornate tassels.  At one point, he was described as the “Lord of the twenty-four parasols.”

The Greeks are responsible for the popular use of the umbrella by women.  Following the custom of holding umbrellas over statues of Dionysus at festivals, women began holding them over statues of Athena, and other goddesses, at feasts that were held in their honor.  It is thought that this is where the parasol, as a fashion accessory, got its start.

During the Middle Ages, an umbrella became a part of the Pope’s ceremonial regalia.  It is speculated that the widespread use of umbrellas across Europe began in Italy, in the 12^th century, when Pope Alexander III granted the Doge of Venice the right to have a parasol carried over him.

Naturally, the umbrella would become a must in England, where the weather is famously damp.  As a matter of fact, that’s where the market umbrella was first used, in 1685, to shelter customers of coffee houses.  Then, in 1830, the first umbrella shop opened in London; and it is still in business today.

So, the next time you’re sitting around your picnic table, enjoying a day at the beach, or simply walking in the rain, be thankful that the nobles ever allowed us regular folks the privilege of using outdoor umbrellas.  Indeed, they must have been quite open-minded.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, beach umbrellas, commercial picnic tables, market umbrellas, outdoor decors, outdoor dining tables, patio umbrella, patio umbrellas, picnic table, porch swings

Ask a hundred people, and you’ll get a hundred different ideas about what elements constitute the ultimate patio.  Some want theirs to be grand entertainment areas, while others prefer theirs to be cozier spots where they can hang out with their families, and, once in awhile, a few friends.

In many cases, people dream about turning theirs into snug little hideaways that will give them some much-needed solitude; and, naturally, even similar visions will have endless variations.  Then, there are those who have no idea what to do with their patios, beyond putting a few outdoor chairs on them.

Yes, it’s a shame, and it happens for a number of reasons, that many perfectly good patios are unused, or, at least, underused.  In certain instances, it’s because people figure that they just don’t have a flair for decorating; so, they simply set up a couple of porch chairs or folding chairs, for the occasions when they want to sit outside.  Sometimes, people feel that their patios are too small to have any real potential; or, their outdoor areas become unbearably hot in the afternoon sun.  Some folks have even been known to avoid using their patios because they don’t afford enough privacy.

No matter what circumstances lead to the neglect of patios, the results are the same – a bunch of wasted space.  It doesn’t have to be that way, however, because, for one thing, you don’t have to be an expert designer to put together some spectacular outdoor décor.  Furthermore, there are several easy ways to fix, or compensate for, most of the obstacles that stand between you, and your ideal patio.

When you’re decorating a patio (or a porch, yard, gazebo, deck, or sunroom, for that matter), start by thinking of it as one of the rooms in your home.  Just as they each have their designated uses, your outdoor room will serve a specific purpose; or, if it’s large enough, perhaps, more than one.  Either way, it’s up to you.

Whether your goal is to divide your patio into sections, or to gain more privacy or shade, you have several options from which to choose.  For example, trellises, multi-paneled garden screens, and planter benches with lattice, all make wonderful partitions that will allow air to continue to circulate.  (Outdoor ceiling fans will keep cool breezes blowing in roofed garden structures.)

If nothing else, people often like to separate their cooking and dining areas.  This minimizes traffic around their grills (which is especially important when kids are running all over the place), and keeps smoke from wafting directly toward picnic tables and patio furniture, where their friends and family members are socializing.

Of course, as is the case with the rooms in your home, you’ll have to decide on a color scheme – and, perhaps, a theme – for your patio.  Luckily, that’s easier than ever, as, these days, the variety of outdoor furniture and accessories is as wide as it is for the indoors.

Okay, so, maybe that doesn’t exactly make it easier.  In fact, it may actually make things more difficult, or even drive you crazy; but, in the 21^st century, that’s the price we all have to pay for having so many choices.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden structures, gazebo, grills, outdoor ceiling fans, outdoor chairs, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, picnic tables, planter benches with lattice, porch chairs, sunroom, trellises

A lucky reader of Horticulture magazine will be adding beauty and color to his or her garden as a result of the magazine’s partnership with the highly sought television designer, decorator, and Master Gardener, Kathy Peterson.  Her premier line of outdoor furniture, Kathy Peterson’s Inspired – Outdoor Lifestyles is quickly inspiring all those passionate about outdoor living.  The Horticulture Garden Giveaway is a first for the publication and will be open for entries between June 16 and July 14 culminating with the drawing held on July 15th. “We’re excited to kick off our Garden Giveaway series with CedarStore.com and the Kathy Peterson Inspired-Outdoor Lifestyles collection,” said Patty Craft, publisher and editorial director of Horticulture Magazine. “CedarStore.com offers a wide range of outstanding garden products that we want to share with our readers.” One winner will receive a three-piece bistro set from the Kathy Peterson Inspired collection to add to their patio or garden.

“We’re eager to meet new and passionate gardeners interested in invigorating their gardens and outdoor spaces, said Tim McTighe, owner of CedarStore.com.  ”We can think of no better way to give back to gardeners than working with the prestigious Horticulture Magazine.”

The bistro set was chosen for this first-time giveaway due to its appeal to both serious or hobbyist gardeners. Built of weather resistant cypress for durability, the set also has a creative side with the colorful options selected by Peterson. “The contest winner will be able to select from one of my fifteen custom color finishes,” said Kathy Peterson, designer. “But, it also can ship unfinished as a blank canvas for the winner to apply his or her own colors and designs.”

If you haven’t entered yet, you better get to it!  You have a week and a day! Hurry!

Tags: horticulture magazine, kathy peterson, outdoor bistro sets, Outdoor Furniture

Of the millions of Independence Day celebrations that will be taking place this weekend, a large percentage will be pool parties.  If you’re going to host one, don’t skimp on the red, white, and blue decorations, when it comes to your pool house or cabana.

Of course, outdoor décor, although key, is not your first consideration; nor, for that matter, is the food.  If you own a pool, you know that ensuring the safety of all those who will be using it takes precedence over everything.  After all, you want everyone who goes swimming to have fun, and emerge feeling refreshed and, perhaps, hungry for another burger hot off the grill.

Obviously, the first, and most crucial, precaution is to never allow kids to go into the water unsupervised.  Even those who know how to swim, or are using flotation devices, can develop cramps underwater, or hit their heads, before anyone knows what’s happening.  Moreover, no child under four years old should be in the pool at all, unless accompanied by an adult.

So, make sure that there are enough patio chairs, lounge chairs, or steamer chairs around the pool, positioned too much to drink.  Anyone overseeing children must be fully alert, and able to keep track of them; and that’s hard enough as it is, because, as I’ve noticed many times, while watching kids at pools, they all seem to look alike when they’re wet!

It’s also a good idea to set rules – in writing – and post them prominently, poolside, along with emergency numbers.  Make sure that everyone reads them before going into the pool, and knows that they will be strictly enforced.  Keep rescue equipment, such as a shepherd’s hook, or a life preserver, nearby; and, if you don’t already know it, learn CPR.  Don’t hesitate to yell at your kids if they violate any regulations; and, if necessary, do it loudly enough to scare their friends straight, too.

All pools should be enclosed with fences, at least four feet high, which have gates that can be locked, and no nooks or crevices that can be used as footholds.  Keep outdoor furniture, such as garden benches and picnic tables, away from the outsides of the fences, so that kids can’t use them as aids in climbing.

When they’re not in use, pools should be covered; otherwise, open them completely.  Never leave a cover on partway, because kids may get trapped beneath it.  When an above-ground pool is not in use, remove its ladder.  Don’t leave toys near the pool, especially moving things, such as tricycles and wagons.

Never let anyone dive into an above-ground pool, or from the sides of an in-ground pool; and don’t let anyone go down a slide head-first.

It’s also important to remember that even small amounts of water, such as can be held in wading pools, hot tubs, fountains, barrels, and even buckets, can pose perils to small children.

The point is to (please!) just be safe and happy, and have a wonderful time celebrating this, the

234^th birthday of our nation; and (please!) be kind to each other while you’re at it (aw, heck, I know you will!).

Happy, Happy, Safe, Safe Fourth of July!

Kathy

Tags: cabana, garden benches, grill, lounge chairs, outdoor decor, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, picnic tables, Pool house, pool safety, steamer chairs

Ain’t it always the way?  After months of cold weather and cabin fever, suddenly, there’s an endless list of things to do outdoors; and that would be great, except that now, there’s not enough time to do them all.  Naturally, just as you’re rushing to prepare for summer, and the upcoming holiday that signals its unofficial beginning, it also happens to be one of the busiest months of the year for gardening.

So, besides getting your outdoor furniture, picnic table, patio umbrella, and grill ready, you have to do a lot of yard work, if you want the greenery to make for pleasant scenery at your Memorial Day cookout.

At this point, in most parts of the country, the weather is mild enough to plant nearly anything, except for the most tender perennials, annuals, and vegetables.  Just make sure that the average date of the last frost in your region has passed, before you put tender plants into the ground.  Remember, the soil must be warm and easy to work with, not having too much, or too little, moisture.

Now is a good time to plant lily, dahlia, tuberous begonia, and gladiolus bulbs.  In fact, if you continue to plant a few gladiolus bulbs every week, through the early part of July, you’ll have a steady show of blossoms throughout the summer.

Remove the faded flowers of daffodils and tulips, and give them some fertilizer; but don’t disturb the leaves, which are necessary for the production of next year’s buds.  Pinching about a half-inch off chrysanthemum stems that are over six inches high, will help to make the plants fuller and more prolific.

You can also plant hardy annuals, such as petunias, pansies, snapdragons, and dianthus, as well as primrose, coral bells, candytuft, and most summer-flowering plants, including phlox and daylilies.  Harden off houseplants and seedlings, little by little, by setting them outdoors for increasing amounts of time every day.  Put them in shady spots at first, gradually working up to sunnier places.  Cut back geraniums that have spent the winter inside, and repot them with new soil.  Lightly fertilize perennials as they begin to pop up from the ground.

Bring some extra color and life to your patio, by adding trellises, pergolas, and arbors, and planting climbing flowers, such as roses, clematis, and morning glories, to cover them.  Planters and planter benches full of vivid flowers are spectacular touches as well, and can be moved around to create eye-catching arrangements, seating borders, and centerpieces.  When you go shopping for flowers, choose some in colors that coordinate with your patio furniture, or your outdoor furniture cushions.

If this seems like a lot to do, well, it is; but don’t worry – there’s much more to come.  We haven’t even gotten into dealing with weeds, and the myriad other things that will constantly challenge your efforts to produce and maintain a beautiful garden.  So, actually, this is only the beginning of a never-ending battle!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, grill, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, patio furniture, patio umbrella, Pergolas, picnic table, Planter Benches, Planters, trellises

I hope I’m not pigeon holing our readers too much… but as I spent much of my weekend glued to the weather channel, it seems that the majority of our fine nation was dumped on with snow recently. Here in Pittsburgh, we’re still in a state of snow emergency… with the national guard and over a hundred out-of-state workers trying to dig us out.

But, enough about us… I’m sure you’re much more concerned about your gardens and lawns than the city with six superbowl rings (congratulations Saints)

So, when looking out your windows how, exactly, will you deal with all of that snow and ice covering your garden and landscaping?

Determine Snow-Type: Natural coverings of snow, from falling and drifting, are actually not damaging your flowers and vegetables. In fact, it serves as an insulating layer, and slow melting will provide a lot of much-needed moisture to winter’s dry vegetation. The problem comes when snow plows, snow blowers, and even shuffles pile dense and heavy snow that are slow to melt and too heavy for most trees or shrubs. If your snow removal is within your control, do your best to keep it away from any kind of growth.

Evaluate Trees and Shrubs: Even natural snow in large amounts can be too much for tender branches. To avoid damage to your tress or shrubs, take steps to protect the branches from drooping, bending, or even snapping. Leave you shovel on the driveway and pick up a broom, car brush, or just your gloves to gently sweep the snow from the branches. Remember, a broken branch is like a broken bone, so be careful! Don’t ever shake the plant as the brittle and stressed branches may snap. And, brush in an upward motion to avoid using force to further bend or break a branch. You’ll find best results if you do this before too many inches of snow accumulate… the more often you clean off your trees, the better off you’ll be. A word to the wise: these are great steps to take with snow… but ice is a different story. If the branches are already covered or incased in ice, no matter what you do, any sort of interference will cause more damage. Just let them be to melt naturally.

Protect Structures and Furniture: Though the snow piling up on the arms of your adirondack chairs or atop your accent table look comical and help to really define exactly how much snow has fallen… it’s best to remove the accumulation as quickly as possible. If you can do so safely, sweep snow from the roofs of gazebos, cabanas, and sunrooms. So much weight isn’t good for even heavy structures. If you have any arbors or lattice, you would be surprised at the immense weight piles of snow can boast, and should protect these more delicate garden enhancements. Sweeping the snow from your patio groups, dining sets, and picnic tables should be much less work and require less attention to safety measures… so don’t avoid cleaning them off. While the most durable of woods may not show damage from days under snow piles and ice…such heavy levels of moisture aren’t good for any material. Protect your outdoor furniture so it will serve you best in the spring!

After braving what many newscasters have called, “snow-magedden,” make sure to hang all wet and snowy clothes to dry fully without collecting mildew or mold from being stuffed back into closets or drawers, and make a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. No matter how intelligent our weather-predictors get, you know (perhaps from years of trying to manipulate your garden to produce prize-winning flowers) that nature will always win over human strength. Shovel as you can and don’t let yourself be overworked. In fact, make sure to pull your family and snow-friendly pets out from under their beds’ blankets to make snow angels, snow men, and maybe even adventurous snow tunnels. Protect your lawn from the snow… but don’t forget to enjoy it as well!

now that’s a way to warm up!

See you Outside!

Hazel

Tags: accent tables, adirondack chairs, Arbors, Cabanas, dining sets, garden enhancements, Gazebos, lattics, patio groups, picnic tables, snow removal, Sunrooms

This week our guest blogger is Helen Yoest, owner of Gardening With Confidence.  Helen Yoest is a gardening coach, stylist, writer, speaker and expert.

As a garden writer, she has written for Better Homes and Gardens, Nature’s Garden, Fine Gardening, and Carolina Gardening.  As a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens and their special interest publications, she scouts great gardens as well as presents her work to Martha Stewart Living, Architectural Digest, and other noted publications.

She travels as a  garden speaker to both motivate and teach other enthusiasts on the art of gardening and design.  Her Gardening With Confidence gardening coach service assists clients with all levels of gardening experience to create the design they desire.

This week she is using her wide array of expertise to explain the importance of garden paths and how they can best be created and used.

A journey down the garden path is poetic and practical.

Paths play an important role in the garden. More than a map through, paths fill a void in the garden, particularly in the winter, give sturdy passage, and invite you into the garden.

Chances are, you’ll know where to put a path. Over time, a path will make itself. Cut across the lawn enough times to smell the roses and you will begin to see where a path may go.

Casually sketch your house and garden. Map out where a path might lead. Adding curves will slow the pace and reveal the garden slowly.

Know the purpose of the path and how it may be used. This will help plan the width and path material considerations. Will your path be used by two to journey though or is it for easy access for the wheelbarrow?

Here are five materials to consider when planning a path:

Gravel and Other Loose Material Gravel paths are ideal for budget conscience homeowners. They also provide traction and allow for good drainage. Gravel looks nice too and the sound of the crunch is somehow
reassuring as you journey down the garden path. In more informal areas, paths made of mulch, such as wood chips and bark, will define an area. Paths made from these materials are best in areas not traveled with bare feet.

Brick Brick is probably the most versatile material to use in creating garden paths. Complementing most home styles, brick can be laid in many different patterns and can also accept a gentlearch. Set in sand or mortar, brick is equally suitable for a passage to the front door as it is for a service area. Remember, paths made of brick in moist, heavily shaded areas can retain moisture and form moss, creating a slipping hazard.

Pavers Concrete pavers for paths offer the consumer many options in design. Available in noninterlocking
styles with smooth edges, and interlocking styles with patterned edges to allow the pieces to fit together like a puzzle, as well as, unique shapes needed for complicated patterns. There are circles, hexagons, squares, triangles, and of course, rectangles. Pavers can be laid in sand or mortar making their use versatile and
with many choices to match to your home’s style.

Stone Flagstone and cut stone tile lends a more formal feeling to a garden path. Flagstone is a natural choice to compliment garden plantings. The available colors are naturally subtle, resulting in restful looking paths. Flagstone can be laid in sand or mortar, but if thick enough, flagstone works well laid directly on top of leveled ground. Cobble stone, fieldstone, river rock, and other irregularly shaped stone lend a more relaxed look to the garden path. The use of various sizes in the design allows for some very creative patterns.

Wood Wood can be used as raised decking in the garden or as an edging to other path materials. Boards can be positioned widthwise to visually slow movement or lengthwise to provide a sense of forward movement. A level path can be constructed with wood to line out the dips and valleys irregular surfaces. Left natural, stained or painted, wood lends itself to just about any home style.

Digging Deeper The path width is best determined by its use. If the passage is to only be used as a service area, such as a path from the front yard to back yard, enough space to allow the passage of a single person is all that is
needed; therefore, a width of 2 – 3 feet will be plenty. If the path width is needed for two to travel through, then a width of 4 – 5 feet is needed.

Installing your garden paths this year will be a dream come true for many years to come.

Editor’s Note: Don’t let your garden path rush people out of your pleasant scenery.  A well placed garden bench or patio chair will allow both you and your guests to have a place to stop, rest, and truly enjoy the beautiful garden around them.  If you’re feeling a little bold, try stringing a hammock just off the path for a shaded and serene escape.  Also consider having your garden path lead to more than just through the garden or to the house.  Imagine a rich and long pathway to a secret hide-away in a gazebo or cabana, or under a pergola.  Even a comfortable dining set or patio group would be a fine destination after all of your hard work.

Tags: cabana, dining set, garden bench, garden paths, Gazebos, hammock, patio chair, patio group, pergola

A beautifully-set table is crucial to your holiday entertaining. However, unless it’s a formal affair, you don’t necessarily have to use good china and crystal; and that will be great news to those who don’t have good china and crystal. Furthermore, because some people don’t even have full sets of dishes or glasses, the even-better news is that mixing and matching tableware happens to be a big trend right now.

Actually, all you need is creativity. If you don’t have a Christmas tablecloth, you can easily turn a plain, solid-colored cloth into one, by using Christmas place mats and napkins, along with red, green, or gold doilies. No holiday plates or glassware? Get the doilies in several sizes and put them under plates, bowls, glasses, and between cups and saucers, and tie ribbons around the stems of wine glasses.

A striking centerpiece is essential as well, but, once again, you don’t have to spend any money; just use things that are already in your home or backyard. Fill a clear bowl with ornaments or foil-wrapped party favors, or use evergreen and/or berry branches, and some pine cones, tied up with ribbons. Gild some pine cones to make gorgeous place card holders.

Candles are also important, and can be of different sizes and colors. Place them on mirrors for extra shine, float votives in a clear bowl, or use your odd dishes, especially ones with winter scenes, as candle holders.

Many people have a few, mismatched pieces of Depression-era glass, which, in colors such as blue, amethyst, pink, green, gold, and yellow, will be anything but depressing on a holiday table.

If it’s a sit-down dinner, keep the centerpiece low enough so that people can see each other and converse across the table. If you’re having a buffet and people are scattered throughout the house, don’t be shy about using picnic table benches, patio chairs, folding chairs, or even ottomans, for extra seating. If you have enough space, you can even bring in your picnic table or outdoor dining set, and decorate it, too.

These are just a few of the hundreds – nay, thousands – of things that you can do to make your home, your table, and your party, bright, festive, warm, and welcoming.

In fact, I hope that describes your entire holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Kathy

Tags: Benches, buffet, Christmas, decorating, folding chairs, ottomans, outdoor dining sets, patio chairs, picnic table, tables

Now is the time when we traditionally reflect upon the many things for which we have to be thankful, but which we often take for granted.  When asked about these, people tend to list the most meaningful ones that they can think of, such as their families, their health, or the roofs over their heads.  While I’m definitely grateful for those, I also want to point out some things that are underappreciated, which everyone enjoys immensely, but surely won’t mention, like, uh, well let’s see… what do we like to talk about here?  Outdoor furniture, of course! 

 Why not?  After all, it plays a big part in most people’s lives.  We all have our favorite porch swings, gliders, lounges, patio chairs, garden benches, hammocks, and picnic tables, where we spend a lot of time.  Whether we use our porch furniture only during certain seasons, or year-round, we love it; and, many times, the thought of getting home to it after grueling hours at work is the only thing that gets us through the day.       

 Indeed, we actually count on it to be there when we need some comfort and relaxation.  Sure, we need our friends and family, too, but, because they also have busy lives, they can’t always be there for us.  Our furniture, on the other hand, exists only to do our bidding; and all we ask of it is to support us and look great.               

 While this may be a lot to expect from ordinary patio furniture, it’s a piece of cake for the kind that comes from CedarStore.com.  We have one of the largest selections of wood, metal, and synthetic outdoor furniture that you’ll ever find in one place.  Furthermore, whether you choose hand-crafted, decay-resistant cedar, pine, oak, cherry, or teak, or everlasting aluminum, vinyl, or polywood furniture, it will be ready to commit to a long-term relationship.  On top of being reliable, it’s available in several styles, and a full range of colors, so it will fit in perfectly with any décor. 

 In fact, a lot of it is so elegant that people often use it indoors.  So, you may actually be having dinner on us this year (of course, that’s just an expression!).   

 Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden benches, gliders, Hammocks, lounges, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch furniture, porch swings

So, gas prices are rising again – just as we knew that they would.  There was no way that they were going to stay below $2.00 per gallon.  In fact, the period just before they dropped was what seems to be a ploy that the oil companies use every time they are planning a big increase; they try to condition us to the new rates.  They do this by first raising prices to ridiculous levels (come on, $4.00+ per gallon?!), then lowering them just long enough to get people feeling confident, then, finally, raising them again, but not quite to where they were at their worst, hoping that the new, higher rates will actually look good to us, and we’ll all say, “Well, at least it’s not $4.00 a gallon anymore!” and not complain about it. 

The worst thing about it is that, even though we’re on to their tricks, there’s not much that we can do about it.  Therefore, in one of the few courses of action available, millions of people are staying home on their vacations, and rediscovering the fun that they can have in their own backyards – literally and figuratively.  The figuratively part is, of course, visiting local parks, museums, restaurants, zoos, and other attractions that they’ve never paid any attention to before.   

The literally part is, well, spending time in their actual backyards, which people are doing like crazy these days.  Indeed, backyards are becoming such popular places to spend time, that they are increasingly being turned into outdoor living rooms, with nearly all of the amenities found indoors, and are being furnished and decorated just as meticulously and comfortably.      

In the schemes of these living spaces, which can be quite elaborate, there is no place for the shoddily built outdoor furniture of old, which was often disposable and collapsible, although, in many cases, not on purpose, and at the worst possible times!  No-o!  Today, the demand is for outdoor furniture that’s as fashionable, comfortable, and durable as that in any room of the house.

Furthermore, people are looking for a wider range of choices in styles, colors, and materials, which is why CedarStore.com has emerged as one of the leading sources of outdoor furniture.  If you haven’t seen all of the new designs that are available, stop in and browse our fabulous collection of wood, metal, and synthetic patio chairs, porch swings and gliders, Adirondack chairs, steamer chairs, chaise lounges, rockers, settees, picnic tables, outdoor dining sets, and much more. 

Actually, it might turn out for the best, because you’ll have a fantastic new outdoor living room, and you’ll get to explore all of the treasures in your figurative backyard.  So, not only will you be putting money back into your community, but, no doubt, you’ll find a ton of fun stuff you’ve been missing in your own hometown.  Hmm – fine advice, coming from someone who grew up in Niagara Falls, but has never even been on the Maid of the Mist!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy    

Tags: chairs, dining set, lounges, Outdoor Furniture, picnic table, porch swings