Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

There are tons of projects for us to do, in and around our homes; but, at least, we get to work with houses that already exist.  Imagine the monumental challenges that our earliest ancestors faced, when, surrounded by wilderness, they had to construct various forms of shelter from whatever was at hand.

Many of those who weren’t lucky enough to find caves to live in (the “high society” crowd), made huts from wood and branches, while others draped animal skins over wooden frameworks, or used the bones of mammoths for the skeletal (literally!) structures, then covered them with the skins.  In any case, it took a lot of effort to build even the most makeshift abode.

Even so, it wasn’t long before people began adding on rooms to these modest dwellings, and furnishing them with chairs and tables that had been crudely fashioned from rocks, wood, and branches.  Outdoor furniture, I guess, was anything that was found lying around on the ground.  Perhaps a felled tree could have been used as a lounge chair, a smooth rock, as a garden bench (or, if it teetered on an uneven surface, a rocker), and an animal pelt tied between two trees, as a hammock, a hammock chair, or even a porch swing.

Naturally, people quickly began accumulating more possessions, in an attempt to keep up with the Joneses – or, the Oggs, as the case may have been.  Then, because of the apparently innate compulsion of the human race to hoard things, even when there’s no place to put them, the first storage sheds were created; and, like many homes, and some inhabitants thereof, they were nothing but skin and bones.

Throughout the ages, they have really fleshed out, appearing in many forms and materials, in virtually every culture, evolving into the good old backyard structures that we’ve all come to know.  In the 21^st century, however, apparently unsatisfied with being used only for storage, the shed has once again changed the way it is perceived in society.

Today, there are several styles of sheds, made from vinyl, cedar, and pine, available with features that include skylights, insulation, window boxes, and dozens of colors of siding and roofing.  Along with their impressive, new looks, garden sheds are taking on daring new roles, as home offices and gyms, studios, playhouses, guest rooms, and hobby rooms.  In fact, because they have proven that they can successfully serve all of these purposes, and many more, sheds have become almost as popular as gazebos.

It just goes to show that great things can happen when you’re courageous enough to shed your old image.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: backyard structures, cedar, chairs, garden bench, Gazebos, hammock, hammock chair, insulation, lounge chair, Outdoor Furniture, pine, porch swing, rocker, roofing, Sheds, siding, skylights, storage shed, storage sheds, tables, vinyl, window boxes

Today we’re featuring Landscape Designer Jenny Peterson for a post featuring her wide expertise on client-directed landscape design.

One of Jenny Peterson's landscape designs featuring a garden bridge

Jenny Peterson and her team have been creating cool gardens in the Austin area since 2001. From elegant courtyards to funky meditation spaces, Jenny’s gardens span the spectrum.   Jenny listens to her clients and brings out their style and taste so their landscape always reflects the personality of the owner.

Trained as a Master Gardener, Jenny brings a deep understanding of the ecosystems that promote a vibrant garden: healthy soil, integrated pest management, appropriate plant choices and organic methods. She is committed to using primarily native and adapted plants to conserve water and reflect the beautiful Texas landscape.
You can contact her by phone at 512.922.3359, email her at j_peterson63@yahoo.com, or follow her tweets with @Mulch Maven. Be sure to check her out at http://www.JPetersonGardenDesign.com/

As a landscape designer, it’s my job to help my clients create the best landscape they can have, but before I can put any plants in, I have to pay careful attention to the structure in and of the garden itself. Structural elements in the garden are significant because they create a sense of importance, permanence and visual interest, but also because they dictate the flow of the landscape and the way the garden is used.

Which brings me to the very first question I ask my clients: How do you want to use your garden? Their answers tell me which direction I should go: what plants to use, whether to have a lawn or not, if we need more deck space, and how I should lay out the entire space. So here’s a rundown on the most popular uses of gardens, with suggestions of how you can achieve it with careful choice of structures, plants and accessories:

• Relaxation: If you want to primarily relax in your yard, you’re looking for low-maintenance plants with lots of evergreen foliage so you’re not spending your time pruning and fertilizing. Plan for enough deck or patio space to comfortably accommodate chairs, lounges, swings or picnic tables. Remember to plan an area under shade trees for a hammock, or even a cabana for the ultimate sense of vacation!
• Play: You probably have children and possibly pets if you want to use your yard primarily for play! Make sure you have enough lawn space to run around on or set up a croquet course or playscape, remembering to look into water-wise lawn options like Buffalo grass. Try to incorporate features like pathways and bridges for kids to explore and be a part of the landscape rather than trying to avoid it. Pay attention to plant use as well—softer, non-toxic plants that can take a lot of foot traffic is a must!
• Entertainment: Most of my clients want to be able to entertain in their landscapes, so we plan to have additional patio or deck space to accommodate larger crowds. We also remember to add features like firepits that draw people together. Plan for a variety of seating areas, possibly adding a second feature like a gazebo away from the house where you and your friends can gather. Carefully plan a pathway to that structure, meandering through the garden and paying attention to landscape lighting so guests feel safe walking around. You might want to be a bit more dramatic with your plant selection as well—large leafed tropicals, brightly flowering cannas or heavily-scented roses.

There is a lot you can do yourself, but don’t be afraid to enlist the expertise of an experienced landscape designer to help you plan your space out. If you commit to a bit of thinking and planning ahead, you can create a landscape that is beautiful, functional and fits your lifestyle perfectly!

Tags: cabana, chairs, croquet set, Gazebos, Guest Posts, hammock, Jenny Peterson, landscape design, lounges, outdoor decor, patio groups, picnic tables, structures, 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