It’s safe to say that pergolas are among the most popular garden structures in existence; and, actually, it has been safe to say that for quite awhile.  I mean, a really, really long while.  How long?  Well, a serf in the Middle Ages could have said it with confidence.  Even a landscape designer in Rome, during the time of Caesar, could have made a similar declaration.  And a writer for the ‘Home & Garden’ section of a newspaper in ancient Egypt?  Ditto.

Pergola (PUHR-guh-luh) is an Italian word that is derived from the Latin, pergula, which means “projecting roof.”  While pergolas, with their universal appeal, have held their favored status for centuries, they have, naturally, taken many forms over the years.  For example, beginning in late medieval times, and through the early Renaissance period, it was common for gardens to have green tunnels.  The idea was to have passageways that would remain cool and shady when the weather was hot and sunny, and dry when it was raining.

The tunnels were made by binding shoots of willow, or “withies,” together at their tops, to create a series of arches, which were then loosely woven with long, wooden slats.  Once in place, these structures would have climbing flowers and ivies planted nearby, which would eventually cover them.  These were the early forms of pergolas.

It wasn’t until around the 17^th century that pergolas began to look more like the ones that we see today.  The main difference was that they were usually much grander, typically constructed with massive pillars of brick or stone that were fitted with large crossbeams.  During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, however, there was a movement toward creating gardens that featured mostly natural elements.  Therefore, manmade structures, such as pergolas, were a bit scarce for awhile.

Of course, as we all know, you can’t keep a good garden structure down; and pergolas proved that in the 20^th century, when they made a comeback.  Today, they’re huge (well, huge, as in, wildly popular – the actual size that you get is up to you).  Incredibly beautiful and versatile, they lend themselves to dozens of uses, as they fit in perfectly with nearly any garden design, and can even solve many landscaping problems.

For instance, if you have an open space in your yard, you can turn it into a nice, shady retreat, just by adding a garden pergola, and putting some patio chairs and accent tables beneath it.  With a picnic table, or an outdoor dining table, and an outdoor bar, it will be a great place for entertaining.  Pergolas can also be used to cover patios that have no other sources of shade.

They also make wonderful enclosures for hot tubs, especially when used in conjunction with arbors and trellises, the siblings with which they have held a rivalry since time immemorial.  In fact, their vying for top spot in the garden has been going on for so long, that people sometimes get them confused, and often use the words, pergola, arbor, and trellis, interchangeably.

That must really be frustrating for them, after having spent so many centuries trying to find ways of distinguishing themselves from the others.  The crazy thing is that not one of them has any reason to feel inferior, because they’re all outstanding in the garden!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Certainly, the more you investigate the assortment of outdoor furniture that is available, the more you realize just how many options you have for decorating your outdoor (or indoor/ outdoor) living spaces.  When you get right down to it, you probably have just about as many as you do when you’re selecting indoor furniture.

Yesterday, in comparing the two types of furniture, I mentioned the huge variety of patio chairs, outdoor sofas, loveseats, settees, porch swings and gliders, garden benches, and outdoor rocking chairs, which can be used to create spectacular outdoor living rooms.  Of course, there are also millions of outdoor kitchens and bedrooms to be furnished as well; and, luckily, porch furniture, once again, stacks up favorably against its indoor counterparts.

Naturally, there are several pieces that can cross over from room to room, just as daybeds, pull-out sofas, and chaise lounges do in our homes.  In fact, the outdoor chaise lounge is a good example, as it can be used for sitting, reclining, or sleeping.  Undoubtedly, lounge chairs are as important to outdoor furniture collections as they are to living room suites; and they are just as comfortable, as they have adjustable backs, wide armrests, and seats that are raised in the middle, to keep knees elevated.

When it’s time to lie down and take a snooze, truly, hammocks rival the comfort of even the softest beds.  Among the most popular pieces of outdoor furniture, they come in all colors, and can be made of canvas, rope, or mesh; and many of them have attached pillows.  They can be used anywhere, because, if you don’t have a place to hang one, you can always get a hammock stand; and the same goes for hammock chairs.  Swingbeds are also great for sitting, swinging, or napping.

As in indoor rooms, end tables are integral to the décor of all outdoor rooms; and they’re available in choices that are nearly, well, endless.  You’ll find an array of accent tables, such as outdoor coffee tables, terrace tables, and conversation tables, in cedar, pine, oak, cherry, teak, and polywood, in all colors and styles.

As for the eating arrangements, there’s no denying that, in most homes, picnic tables have always ranked right up there with kitchen tables.  Furthermore, because they have undergone such impressive changes over the past several years, they feature more styles, sizes, colors, and shapes than ever.  Along with the traditional rectangular picnic tables with attached benches, you’ll find hexagonal, octagonal, trestle, and extra-wide picnic tables with backed benches.  If you want something a bit more contemporary, you can get an outdoor dining table or a bistro set.

Indeed, whether in an open area, or an enclosed porch, patio, or gazebo, you can create any motif imaginable, as today’s patio furniture comes in such a wide range of materials, styles, and colors.  Moreover, the countless colors, color combinations, and patterns available for outdoor furniture cushions, patio umbrellas, and outdoor throw pillows, give you even more artistic opportunities for your outdoor décor.

It’s no wonder that we’re so crazy about outdoor living!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

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With this nation’s love of outdoor living, it’s no wonder that so many people are reluctant to make complete retreats to closed quarters when the weather gets cold.  It’s also no surprise to find that, each year, millions more are refusing to relinquish their summer lifestyles.  This accounts for the huge resurgence in the demand for sunrooms, as well as the growing practice of enclosing porches, patios, decks, and gazebos.

These indoor/outdoor rooms allow at least a semblance of being in the open air, and help to keep us in touch with nature, and prevent us from getting full-blown cases of cabin fever.  Because of the popularity of these rooms, as well as the increasing trend toward turning our yards into outdoor living rooms, where we spend much of our time during the warmer months, outdoor furniture is no longer a seasonal thing.  These days, people are shopping for porch swings, porch gliders, Adirondack chairs, and accent tables, year-round.

Furthermore, in keeping with the meticulous décor of these living spaces, patio furniture is also available in more styles, colors, and materials than ever.  Of course, there are some kinds that are perennial favorites, such as wicker porch furniture.

Indeed, wicker outdoor furniture has been around since, at least, 3,000 B.C., when it was used in Egypt.  It is also known to have been common in ancient Rome and Greece.  In fact, it arose from one of the oldest recognized crafts, which is basketry.  Apparently, soon after they began using pieces of reeds, rattan, willows, osiers, twigs, and bamboo, to make baskets, people realized that they could weave these materials around stiffer rods, shaped into various forms, and create furniture.

The first piece of wicker outdoor furniture in America actually came over on the Mayflower; but the wicker furniture industry didn’t get started in this country until sometime after 1850, when a young grocer came across large quantities of rattan on the docks of Boston.  Having never seen the likes of it, he made some inquiries, and found that it was a climbing palm that is native to Southeast Asia, and was used in ships that had been to that region, to keep cargo from shifting on the return voyages.

Shortly thereafter, this entrepreneur sold his grocery store, and established his own rattan company.  Before long, his business was booming, and he had his own fleet of ships that he used for importing rattan, which was highly sought-after by basket and furniture makers.  After starting his own furniture business, he enjoyed quite a bit of growth for a good part of the mid-to-late 19^th century, and had nearly cornered the market, until many other companies began making wicker furniture.

Before the turn of the century, the Victorian style, with its ornate curves and intricate patterns, was quite popular.  However, in the 20^th century, people started looking for simpler designs with cleaner, straighter lines.  Although manufacturers changed their styles to accommodate the public’s shifting tastes, the demand for the furniture declined over the next few decades.

In the 1960’s, however, wicker patio furniture began its comeback.  Today, along with authentic wicker, you can even find synthetic wicker pieces that are nearly indestructible.  Available with outdoor furniture cushions that come in every color and pattern imaginable, wicker remains among the most popular outdoor furniture in existence, and is central to the décor of millions of indoor and outdoor rooms.

Don’t you just love a happy ending?

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

We’re all aware of the chores that we have to do around our houses while the weather is still warm.  The problem is that we always think that we have plenty of time to accomplish them; but, the next thing we know, it’s the end of July, and August is charging straight at us.    

Besides the gardening, yard work, and maintenance, there will be things that are in need of repair.  So, while you’re outside, cooking on the grill, sitting in your porch chair, or playing croquet in the backyard, look around and see what needs your attention.

For example, if you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, patio, sidewalk, or pool area, check to see if it is cracked or dirty.  Do a thorough inspection, so that you don’t miss any spots that need to be fixed.  Move any outdoor dining tables and lounge chairs that are around the pool, and look under your patio chairs, accent tables, and picnic table.  Clear all of the outdoor furniture away from the places that you are going to be cleaning or mending.

Use a power washer to clean concrete; and, while you’re at it, observe the direction in which it sends the water off its surface.  If it’s causing it to flow toward your home, that could be troublesome.  Check around the outside of the foundation for any spots that may be cracked, crumbling, or deteriorating in any way.  Next, go down to your basement and examine it from the inside, looking for water stains, or any other signs of leakage.

If you discover that water is getting in, you may be able to change the course of the drainage, by removing or altering the grade of the concrete.  If you can’t correct the problem on your own, consult a professional.

To get rid of oil or grease stains on driveways, or garage floors, you can use TSP (trisodium phosphate), which you’ll find at any hardware store or home center.  This stuff really works well, but you’ll have to wear rubber gloves when you’re using it.  Just mix one cup of it with a gallon of hot water, saturate the area, and let it soak in for a half-hour; then, scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush, and rinse completely.

To patch up concrete, clean the damaged section with a wire brush, then sweep away any residue with a whisk broom.  For narrow cracks, use masonry crack filler, which is available in cartridges, so you can inject it into the gap.  Fill larger crevices with vinyl concrete patching compound, and smooth them over with a putty knife.

When you’re dealing with asphalt, it’s actually a good idea to look for cracks at least twice a year.  If and when you find any, you can quickly eliminate them by using a caulking gun to fill them with asphalt patching caulk, then leveling the surface with a putty knife.  Otherwise, they’ll just keep growing wider, and, eventually, growing vegetation.

Sure, you just want to be able to relax on your porch swing and admire the view; but you certainly won’t enjoy watching a bunch of weeds sprouting from – and ruining – your driveway, especially when you know that it’s all your phalt.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy.

As I believe I’ve mentioned a time or two (hundred!), every year, millions of people turn their yards, porches, decks, patios, and gazebos into outdoor living rooms.  This has been going on for quite some time now; and it doesn’t appear that the trend will ever end.  In fact, it’s reaching new heights, as these exterior spaces are also being made into outdoor kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, game rooms, guest rooms, and just about any other type of room you can name.

If you’re trying your hand at this kind of landscaping, and you have a large area to develop, it may be difficult to know where to begin.  That’s no wonder, because it’s like trying to decorate a house that doesn’t have walls or ceilings.  Wait a minute.  Like that?  No.  It is that!  After all, without walls and ceilings, it’s not a house; it’s a yard.  So, there you are.

Still, you can approach the task as if you’re remodeling the inside of your home.  All you need is some structure; or, rather, structures, as in, the garden varieties.  Yes, you can use garden structures, such as trellises, arbors, and pergolas, to define your outdoor rooms, and then work on each section as a single, manageable project.

Start by determining how much space you have, and how many outdoor rooms you want.  Make sure that they will all be large enough to suit the functions that you have in mind for them.  Otherwise, you may have to give up a room, or design one for dual purposes, as you don’t want things getting too crowded.

A dining area should be spacious enough for, at least, a grill, a picnic table (or outdoor dining table), some patio chairs, and a few accent tables.  To add more privacy or shade around a pool, place some trellises in key locations, leaving an adequate expanse of grass open for playing lawn games.  If you want just a quiet little retreat, you may need only a remote corner of your yard.

If you already have a gazebo, pool house, cabana, or sunroom, use it as a focal point, and build around it, tailoring the other areas to specific uses.  You can use anything, from a simple trellis, to a paneled garden screen, depending upon the degree of isolation, and the style, that you desire.  Even if you have limited space, one carefully-chosen piece, such as a gated arbor with a swing, or a double planter bench with a lattice back, can instantly become a miniature haven.

Actually, you can have a lot more fun – and a lot more freedom – designing rooms in your backyard, than you do when working within the confines of your house.  For one thing, having trellises as walls lets you change the size of an area any time you wish.  Moreover, with patio furniture now available in so many styles and colors, there are tons of decorating options as well.

Of course, you’ll also be able to select from thousands of varieties of gorgeous climbing flowers, which will surround you with color, and bring your outdoor rooms to life.  So, I guess that would make them living rooms, in the truest sense.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

When you’re having an outdoor wedding in your backyard, there are, of course, many things to worry about, besides the insects that are waiting to crash the affair.  During every step of the planning stage, the comfort of your guests must be your paramount concern.  Then, after each detail is painstakingly worked out, and you think that you’ve got everything covered, go back to the beginning, and make arrangements for the unexpected.

As I’ve said before, even if you’re having a simple cookout, it’s essential that you supply everything that anyone could possibly need, before you sit down at the picnic table.  Well, that’s nothing, compared to the magnitude of preparedness that is required for an outdoor wedding.

Naturally, it’s absolutely necessary to have some sort of shelter.  If you own a gazebo, you already have the ideal setting for the ceremony.  Undoubtedly, it’s picturesque on its own; so it will be utterly spectacular when it’s decorated for the wedding.  However, unless you have a very large gazebo, or a backyard pavilion, you’ll have to rent a tent for the reception; and make sure that it is sturdy enough to endure heavy winds, and that it has thick, weighted sides.

You can also have an indoor room set up for guests, in case the weather really gets nasty.  Decorate an enclosed patio or porch, including your patio chairs, gliders, chaise lounges, accent tables, and planters, with ribbons and/or streamers in the wedding theme colors.

Of course, providing cover is crucial, even if the weather is magnificent, as too much sun can become unbearable (and there’s enough fainting at weddings as it is!).  To begin with, make sure that it won’t be glaring in people’s eyes during the ceremony.  If you’re going to be standing under an arbor or a pergola, position the seats on the side of it that will have the sun at their backs.  It’s also a good idea to use wood outdoor folding chairs, as metal can get very hot.

As for the reception, have patio umbrellas for all of your outdoor dining tables.  Large, free-standing cantilever umbrellas, or commercial market umbrellas, with heavy umbrella stands, are also great for use over food and beverage tables, outdoor bars, and garden benches.

Another way to protect guests from the sun and heat is to have sunscreen available for people who forget to bring their own.  In extremely hot weather, consider renting some large, electric fans for the tents; and if your gazebo is equipped with outdoor ceiling fans, don’t forget to turn them on.  To keep everyone cool from the start, you may even want to print your programs on decorative fans, and have your ushers pass out cold bottles of water to the guests as they arrive.

After all, it’s better to have your ushers pass out water, than to have your guests pass out!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

I truly believe that any garden is enhanced by an outdoor living space.  A simple seating group or even a dining area will allow you to enjoy your garden as much as you work in it.  After all, having a place to spend more time in the fruits of your labor will only lend to your overall enjoyment.  Sure, the sweet smell and exciting sights of your blooms and plants while walking along your garden path are certainly enchanting.  But, imagine sitting in it while reading a book, while sharing coffee with friends, while simply thinking about how much you love your garden!

Though, as many people embark to create an outdoor living area, they feel overwhelmed.  Flipping through gardening and home magazines, it would seem everyone would need to be an interior designer with years of experience and unlimited funds in order to craft comfortable seating or dining areas.  Is it possible to achieve relaxed balance?

In reality, it’s much simpler than you might think.  There a few simple planning tricks to keep your spaces even-looking, without seeming sterile.  I’m here to convince you that anyone can!

Start With The Basics: Before considering which historic architect your living space is aiming to exude, try dialing back and thinking about the bare essentials.  What do you want to get out of this space?  A relaxed retreat for just you and perhaps one other person?  An open-air dining area to share meals with big groups all summer long?  Or, are you looking for a more intimate setting to linger over tea and conversation?  Pinpointing these kinds of expectations will allow you to add the details in a much smoother way.  Remember to keep your purpose in mind throughout the entire process.  While picking each piece, ask yourself if it lends to your original intent.  That way, your entire outdoor area will keep a consistent feeling.

Rustic or Refined: Once you’ve decided whether you’re creating a big family living room or a quiet and secluded oasis, you can consider how lavish of a direction you’d like to take.  Many people thrive on the rustic, untreated wood settings.  If using cedar outdoor furniture, you can enjoy the sweet aroma of western red cedar while viewing the beauties of nature.  The natural luster of the wood can reflect the perfect simplicity of a day spent in the garden.  Of course, there’s also something to be said for luxurious outdoor spaces equipped with big patio umbrellas, outdoor furniture cushions, pillows and throws; as well as outdoor ceiling fans and even electric outdoor lighting.  Again, a lot of these decisions will relate back to the first one.  There’s no wow-factor quite like a plush outdoor room, but that also means that you’re likely to spend a bit more money and up the continued work required to maintain it.  If you want to add some amenities, but aren’t looking for over-the-top luxury, just add one or two things that you would find most helpful.  Hate the still air? An outdoor ceiling fan will keep the breeze going.  Worried about the sun? A patio umbrella in a bright color surrounded by more rustic furnishings will create a wonderful space.  Also try simple, unadorned outdoor furniture cushions to keep your back side comfortable without adding needless luxury (unless, of course, you want it!)

Vary the Pieces: While this probably applies more to outdoor living areas than open-air dining spaces, it’s important not to get too stuck on just one type of furniture.  Create a dynamic area by grouping porch gliders with Adirondack Chairs, garden benches with outdoor rocking chairs and unexpected accent tables.  Having a lot of different pieces will not only create interest and start conversation; it will also make it more comfortable for more people.  Some people love to relax in a chaise lounge, while for others a porch swing is the height of relaxation.  Cater to yourself, cater to your guests, and add as much variety in seating options as you can! Often, you can get all different kinds of outdoor furniture with a common thread—like a heart shape cut into the back or a similar line in the legs.

Add Color: Besides adding variety, the best way to make your living or dining area reflect you and look fantastic is to add color.  The ways to do this are nearly endless.  Some people choose to use their fabrics to create comfortable pairings of natural wood and coordinating colors. I would suggest having two or three colors in mind, before you embark on the fabrics.  Also remember not to overdo the patterns.  Stripes on your outdoor furniture cushions, plaid pillows, a flowered throw blanket, and a block-print patio umbrella is likely to be a bit overwhelming.  A no-fail strategy is to pick one area to highlight a pattern, and keep everything else solid colors.  Another great way to add color is to use paint.  This will allow you to make a wonderfully bright and unexpected space, or you can simply use a well placed lime green accent table, to draw the eyes around the entire space.  Imagine a porch with white wicker outdoor furniture, with muted blue outdoor furniture cushions paired with a matching blue porch swing off to the side.  The coordination of color will allow the entire porch to hold together as one living space.  Deciding on your colors and pattern placements before going into the project will ease some of those overwhelming choices, though.  So think about which garden hues make you most excited about being out in nature.

Make it Functional: Even the most lavish outdoor living area can still be extremely functional.  As I’m sure you’ve considered, designing a room completely exposed to the elements can create some decorating pitfalls.  Two big tips I would give come right down to the tables.  First, consider your tables!  Whether you use several accent and side tables, or one big coffee table, think about how you’re going to use it.  Personally, I love the outdoor tables that have a little bottom shelf.  It gives me a place to stash magazines or even dirty dishes until I’m ready to come inside.  Having a place to keep your “stuff” while keeping table tops clear makes me feel a bit more at ease.  But, if you’re someone who likes everything right out where you can see it, you should look for nice big table tops with room for all your outdoor helpers.  You might also want to consider storage or deck boxes.  A lot of really nice looking storage and deck boxes are available that can be used as a coffee or side table, or even just set out of the way to remain available for emergency extra seating.  These can hold your pillows, throws, even your furniture cushions.  Of course, it can also hold board games, outdoor dishes, or anything else you’d like to keep outside, but worry about its reaction to harsh elements.   Also, if you’re aiming for a dining area, remember that many outdoor dining sets are foldable.  This will let you simply fold them up and stash them behind your back porch when they’re not in use.

Well! I hope that helped.  Please don’t let another season go by without creating an outdoor living area within or near your garden, simply because the task of decorating another space seems overwhelming.  It’s true, outdoor room design is a bit more complicated than indoor rooms because the options and space constraints are so, well, unrestrictive.  But, relax! Have fun, try different things, and develop a space you can’t wait to use and enjoy by keeping unity while adding variety.

As we’ve established, there are several things that you can do to fix, or hide, scratches in your wood patio chairs, porch swings, gliders, and accent tables.  On the other hand, you may be better off replacing things that are beyond repair, or have bigger problems than just having a few marks on them.

This can be a good move, for many reasons.  For one thing, newer wood outdoor furniture, especially if it’s finished and/or treated, tends to be less susceptible to scratches than are older pieces.  It’s also more resistant to decay, mildew, and insects; and these days, it’s available in a much wider range of styles.

Of course, you can also opt for polywood, vinyl, aluminum, or synthetic wicker outdoor furniture.  Some of these materials are nearly indestructible, so you may never again have to worry about scratches, dents, chips, or warping.  Furthermore, you can often find them in just about any color imaginable.  However, even if you get something more contemporary, such as a polywood outdoor dining table, for your patio, you may still want a traditional cedar picnic table for your backyard.

This is often the case, because people simply love wood.  There’s no denying that it has (always had) an irresistible, and indescribable, charm.  Somehow, it seems to radiate warmth, beauty, and comfort – and, in many instances, luxury – and we’ll never stop loving it.  The good news is that, besides being able to repair it, there are lots of things that you can do to prevent, or, at least, mitigate, any damage that it may incur.

Naturally, staining and/or sealing unfinished wood outdoor furniture when it’s new, will give it a big head start.  The only problem is that, like everything else, finishes come in a bewildering number of choices, including lacquer, shellac, polyurethane, penetrating oil, and acrylic and alkyd varnishes.  You’ll also have to select from satin, semi-gloss, and glossy varieties, and decide whether or not you want a stain, a sealer, or a stain/sealer for your outdoor wood furniture.

Because picking the right one can be puzzling, it’s best to arm yourself with knowledge before you venture into the hardware store.  Just for starters, remember that, whatever type of finish that you buy, the only way to get the best results from it is to follow the instructions on the label, and heed warnings about safe usage, proper ventilation, and flammability.  You should also make sure that it is resistant to mold, mildew, insects, and UV rays.

Next week, I’ll attempt to make things a bit less confusing, by explaining the differences, characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks of these products, so that you’ll be able to find the perfect finish for your outdoor furniture.

Right now, however, I’m just looking for the perfect finish for this blog!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

While we may not be thrilled to find nicks on our wood outdoor furniture, usually, we can be relieved if they’re minor ones, as these are the easiest to handle.  Of course, the amount of damage that a particular piece will suffer, in any situation, will depend upon the kind of wood that it’s made from, and whether or not it is finished (and, if it is, the type of finish can also make a big difference).  Even so, in many cases, it is possible to fix scratches, or, at least, make them less noticeable.

Certainly, there are other things that can mar wooden outdoor furniture, such as the white rings that often appear after someone has set down a glass without a coaster under it.  If you can blot up the moisture right away, it may not leave a trace; but if you don’t get to it in time, a hairdryer may save the day.  Put it on a low setting, and run it over the spot a few times, keeping it at least six inches away, so that the wood will get warm, but not hot.  If that fails, try rubbing the area with some boiled linseed, olive, or vegetable oil, then wiping it clean.

If nail polish gets spilled on your wood outdoor furniture, don’t wipe it up, because it contains solvents that can soften and remove the finish.  Just wait for it to dry, gently scrape it off with something plastic, such as a credit card or a driver’s license, then apply some wax, using superfine steel wool.

Undoubtedly, it’s nice to know that we can restore the good looks of our wood picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, porch swings, and garden benches.  At the same time, however, we must also remember that, like beauty, the damage sometimes runs deep.  A burn, for example, can be quite troublesome; but if it’s not too severe, try rubbing it with a paste made of fine fireplace ash and lemon juice.  Afterward, wipe it clean, and touch it up with the same kind of finish that is already on the wood.

If it’s a deeper burn, surround it with masking or painter’s tape, and scrape out the burned wood with the rounded blade of a craft knife.  If necessary, re-stain the exposed wood, then use a mixture of equal parts of clear nail polish and acetone-based polish remover to fill the hole, one coat at a time, making sure that each layer dries before applying the next.  Finally, use superfine sandpaper to smooth the surface before you remove the tape.

Because such burns are usually caused by cigarettes, you may be able to prevent them by not putting ashtrays on your outdoor coffee table or accent tables.  Ask smokers to light up only on the perimeter of the yard, or in another designated area, and provide large ash urns, or empty coffee cans, filled with a few inches of sand.  Indeed, this is the best way to make sure that people will keep their butts off your outdoor tables.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Those who have spacious backyards can fill them with all sorts of wonderful outdoor furniture.  Along with their porch swings, patio chairs, and accent tables, they may also have room for outdoor sofas and loveseats, outdoor coffee tables, rocking chairs, ottomans, garden benches, face-to-face gliders, grills, and even gazebos.

Most people, however, either have smaller backyards or patios, or only terraces, porches, or balconies; and, in many cases, they feel that these spaces are too dull or cramped for entertaining.  If this is your quandary, you probably have more options than you think, because even the most lackluster area can be turned into a beautiful outdoor living room.  Beyond getting the right outdoor furniture, which you can find in sizes, styles, and colors to grace any space, you can do things to make it more accommodating, while playing up its coziness aspect, which is very appealing.

If you don’t know where to start, try going from the bottom, up.  Truly, the floor can have just as much of an impact on the look of an outdoor room, as it does on an indoor room.  Paint a slab of concrete, or old, worn-out decking, with paint that’s made for porches and decks.  You can also use marine paint, designed for the hulls of boats, which is available in several bright, bold colors.

Choose a solid color, or add stripes, or geometric shapes, to create the illusion of a larger space.  To make it even homier, put down some colorful area rugs, just like the ones that you use indoors.  Toss in some cushy outdoor throw pillows in vivid, mix-and-match colors, and people will be comfortable sitting right on the floor.  For extra seating, put a picnic table bench along a wall, or off to the side.

You don’t have to worry about having your outdoor living room completely packed with furniture and accessories all of the time.  On special occasions, you can bring out some indoor pieces, such as serving carts and end tables, and even hang some art on exterior walls for the duration of the party.  Even a small outdoor dining table will look spectacular when you set it with your good china and silverware, crystal wine glasses, and cloth napkins with napkin rings.

Naturally, lighting is very important as well; and, while candles always spark a festive atmosphere, they’re not the only things that can light up a party.  There are several styles of outdoor table lamps, outdoor floor lamps, and outdoor lanterns that will get glowing reviews.  Other great choices are hurricane lamps, LED candles, paper lanterns, and strings of white Christmas lights, wrapped around trees, railings, planters, arbors, trellises, and pergolas.  For a really magical touch, you can even place candles inside your planters, as long as they’re in spots where they won’t set anything on fire.  Just don’t forget to extinguish all of the candles when the party’s over.

Of course, if someone breaks one of your good wine glasses, it may be over sooner than you had planned!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy