All Outdoor Patio Furniture

Today there’s a kind of strange, almost eerie, sight outside my window.  My birdfeeders, which are normally bustling with activity, have gotten very few hits.  I haven’t seen a lot of movement around the birdhouses, either; and, oddly enough, even the birdbaths aren’t getting as many visitors as usual.  So, the heat wave that we, along with a large portion of the country, are experiencing is, not surprisingly, affecting the wildlife as well.

Whether or not your area is now being scorched by temperatures that are nearing 100º, you’ve probably, at one time or another, been in the grip of a heat wave.  Indeed, nearly everyone knows how this feels (awful!), and that, when it gets life-threateningly hot, it’s vital to find a way to stay cool.  Although everybody is at risk, the ones who are the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses are the elderly, the very young, and those who must work outdoors.

If you’re in that last group, it’s imperative that you take it easy, drink plenty of water, and stop frequently for breaks.  Otherwise, it’s best to stay inside, in the air-conditioning, as much as possible.  Don’t do any unnecessary outdoor chores, either; forget about yard work for the time being.  If you don’t want to stay in, take an ice-cold glass of lemonade out to a patio chair, porch swing, or hammock, and just relax.

Even if you’re in a location, such as this, where it’s going to stay dry for several days, don’t worry about your lawn.  Although it may get thoroughly baked, it will spring back to life when it rains.  However, if you can’t be dissuaded from watering it, let your sprinkler do double duty, and set yourself up in a lounge chair or steamer chair, in a spot where it will spray you, too.

During weather like this, you should also wear light, and light-colored, clothing.  Take cool baths or showers if you don’t have a pool, or have access to one.  Even if you have one, however, the water can get pretty warm under these conditions; so keep cold drinks handy on a nearby picnic table that’s shaded by a tree or, at least, a patio umbrella.  It’s also a good idea to put some ice packs and wet cloths into a cooler, in case someone gets overheated.

Of course, as the birds are reminding me today, this weather is just as dangerous for animals.  So, provide some water for the wild creatures, and, please, don’t leave your pets out in the heat – especially in a car!  They’re depending on you to keep them safe and cool.  You should also check on elderly neighbors, or anyone who lives alone and doesn’t have air-conditioning.

You know, I sure could go for a heapin’ helpin’ of some of that wonderful snow that we had last winter!  No, I’m not just saying that; I’m one of the few who enjoyed it even when it was over two feet deep.  Believe me, I’d rather see 28º than 98º any day of the year.

Yours (I cannot tell a lie – for now, I’m staying) Indoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, birdhouses, chaise lounge, hammock, lounge chair, patio chair, patio umbrella, picnic table, porch swing, steamer chair

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.

Tags: accent tables, adirondack chairs, cedar outdoor furniture, chaise lounge, deck boxes, garden benches, outdoor ceiling fans, outdoor dining sets, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor lighting, outdoor rocking chairs, outdoor tables, patio umbrellas, porch gliders, porch swing, wicker outdoor furniture

If you think there’s no better gift than giving your mom a day at the ritziest spa in town, think again!  You can recreate the day spa treatment for your mother, and she’ll probably enjoy it even more.  Why? Because her family put the whole thing together!

If you have a gazebo with a hot tub in it, or even a sauna, you’re set.  Let your mom relax in the hot tub for a few hours—try setting up a cd player with some of her favorite music or buying her a book by one of her favorite authors.

But, if you’re not so lucky to have a hot tub gazebo, it’s no problem.  There are plenty of day spa treatments you can try.  Remember to start small; trying to plan way too much may be overwhelming and require so much planning that no one has fun.

First, create the spa space.  If you have a gazebo, pergola, or other backyard structure, decorate it with flowers, streamers, and maybe even balloons.  That way, when you pull her outside, she’ll be wowed by all the decorations!  And, to make sure she knows it’s a trip to the day spa, set out candles, bowls of potpourri, and even hot tea out on your picnic table.  Also set out some of her favorite fresh fruits and juices, or even little breakfast pastries or scones with jam.

A great home spa project can be a pedicure or manicure.  Fill a large bucket with warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of bath oil.  Put your mom in the most comfortable patio chair you have; whether that be a chaise lounge or an Adirondack chair, just make sure it’s one of her favorites.  Have her sit with her hands or feet (whichever she prefers, many hardworking moms might not be too keen on everyone touching her feet!) in the warm water for at least 20 minutes.

After that, dry her feet or hands with a nice soft towel and apply a sweet smelling cream based moisturizer or lotion.  This is the tricky part: a lot of salons will clean, clip, and do general nail care.  But, again, some moms won’t exactly be eager to have her family chipping away at the dirt under her nails.  And, after all, this is a day for mom!  So, you might want to scale back a bit and skip right to the polish.

If you know her favorite color (and you should!!), make sure you have a nail polish in that hue!  Do two or three thin coats, allowing the polish to dry between applications.  Try your best to not to get any on the skin around the nails, but keep a damp tissue near by just in case.

Having you spa outside will make splashing water or spilling nail polish a non-issue.  It will also allow the polish to dry faster in the open air!  Remember, don’t concentrate too hard or try to make it perfect.  You’re pampering your mother to say thanks, and part of that is just spending time with her! So, if an 8 year old daughter doesn’t have the perfect polishing techniques yet… it doesn’t matter.  It’s all about getting together and having fun.

So, though your outdoor day spa for mom might not be as refined as the swanky places, she’ll know all the thought and hard work you put into it.  Plus, spending time with her family is always the perfect gift.

Tags: adirondack chair, backyard structure, chaise lounge, gazebo, Mother's Day, pergola, picnic table

Studies show that Americans have less free time than ever before in history.  Our jam-packed schedules of constantly conflicting engagements put our minds in a terrible race.  In fact, the absence of leisure time is shooting stress-related illnesses through the roof and plummeting the percentage of people who describe their life as “happy and comfortable.”

So, how do you avoid this plight?  Experts have shown that meditation can aid in the recovery and prevention of both mental and physical ailments.  Deep breathing, relaxation, and reflection time are all critical to our overall health.  Perhaps this spring is the season you turn it all around by creating an outdoor meditation area to keep your spirits bright all year ‘round!

Separate the area from your home and yard: To achieve true relaxation, you have to remove yourself from your daily stressors.  Seeing a kitchen sink full of dishes will not help put your mind at ease.  There are several ways to do this; you could start simply by placing privacy screens around a sectioned off area.  Using a pergola or an open-air gazebo are other options for completely outdoor spaces.  But, if you live in a cooler climate and want to use this space in the winter months, using a pool house or a cabana may suit your needs better.  The most important thing is to create an area where cares and worries are “not allowed.”  Another way to do this is to install some kind of garden bridge; this way you can decide that when you cross over the bridge you are crossing over into a peaceful place.  Ancient Japanese and Chinese gardens used zig-zag garden bridges to cross into their gardens, because folk lore suggested that evil spirits could only travel in straight lines and, therefore, would not be able to cross into the space if the garden bridge was constructed in a zig-zag pattern.  However you choose to separate your meditation area from the rest of your home, it is most important that you can feel some kind of physical transition from daily stressors to daily calming.

Keep connection with nature: Though you want to create an area separated from the rest of your home, you don’t want to lose your connection with nature.  If using privacy screens, a pergola, or gazebo, simply make sure that trees, flowers, or foliage still surround your area.  If using an enclosed garden structure, like a cabana, pool house,  or even a gazebo with walls, be sure to install lots of large windows (preferably ones with screens that can be opened).  Many backyard structures support sky lights to let the sun shine into your meditation space as well.  If you garden, you know that nature is calming.  And, if you don’t garden, many expert studies have confirmed that a connection with nature nurtures peaceful thoughts and calm minds.  You can also bring the outdoors inside, by placing bonsai trees, green potted plants, and flowers on accent tables around your garden structure to achieve that connection.

Use a water feature for soothing sounds: You may not realize it, but the sounds we hear contribute greatly to our stress levels.  Imagine your commute to work without any car horns, sirens, or construction sounds.  Picture a trip to the grocery store without people yelling into their cell phones about what kind of milk to get, the constant beeping of the check out lines, and children screaming for ice cream.  Sounds a lot better, right? Create the right kinds of sounds in your meditation area by installing a small water feature.  If you live seaside, certainly try to situate your peaceful place near the water.  But, if you’re not so lucky, you can get an inexpensive small water fall that plugs right into the wall or operates by battery.  Or, you can go a little deeper by creating a koi pond or small dew pond.  Of course, if you must, you can always get a small noise machine that many people use in their bedrooms for sleeping that has ocean wave or running stream sound settings.  This way, your eyes will be away from the sink of dirty dishes and your ears will be hidden from the sounds of rush hour or telephones ringing. When your eyes close, you can always just imagine you’re withdrawing to your beach retreat!

Use minimal decorations and simple furniture: The last thing you need to do when creating this space is stress out!  Don’t fret about the décor, because the simpler, the better.  Use small side tables or outdoor accent tables for flowers, candles, or your water feature.  You can create a bit of interest by using outdoor tables of different heights and sizes to allow your eyes to gently survey all parts of your meditation area.  But, this is not the place for your expansive outdoor dining set or deep seating collection.  Allow yourself a space to focus inward, instead of on the perfection of your décor (save that for your porch or patio!)

Allow a place for true, escaped repose: Though purists would only allow a yoga mat in the center of the room for true, concentrated meditation… I think it’s important to make your peaceful area work for you.  Doing yoga poses and various stretching is an excellent way to re-center yourself—no question!  But, sometimes, you just need a place to rest undisturbed.  Try installing a hammock, porch swing, or just a simple and comfy chaise lounge or rocking chair in your new space.  There is true value in curling up with a novel, simply staring into space and thinking about nothing for an hour or so, and (of course) guiltlessly drifting off into an afternoon nap.

Sometimes, our American media tries to make you feel guilty for taking time for yourself.  But, you’ll run yourself into the ground if you don’t take some time out to relax.  Creating a space away from your daily stressors that is solely for the purpose of inward reflection will have a positive effect on all the different parts of your life.  And, remember, it doesn’t just have to be for you!  A son or daughter after a long and stressful day at school would absolutely benefit from an hour or so of “quiet time” away from the computer, their toys, and loud siblings.  In fact, this meditation area could improve the entire family!

Hope to see you (at a distance) in your Meditation Area,

Hazel

Tags: accent tables, back yard structures, cabana, chaise lounge, deep seating collection, garden bridge, Garden Bridges, garden structure, gazebo, hammock, outdoor accent tables, outdoor dining set, outdoor tables, pergola, Pool house, porch swing, privacy screens, rocking chair, side tables

If you thought you were shopping around for outdoor furniture, patio dining sets, or even a gazebo for yourself… you might be missing an important factor.  Studies show that your children need more time outside than the majority of them are getting.  If you’re saying, “I know that… but they have this X-box 360 I can’t seem to conquer!” perhaps you should consider this:  give your children a place to play outside and they probably will!

1. Nature Deficit Disorder:  Recent studies have shown that children not exposed to the outdoors enough are suffering from a specific series of concerns.  Most likely fueled by a more media-centered society and parents fearing that their children will be less safe outside… many effected children are suffering from a marked lack in creativity, anxiety and depression, attention deficit problems, and long-term inabilities to cope with stress.  And, of course, it goes without saying that these children are also much more likely to suffer from childhood obesity; a condition that will undoubtedly affect them for the rest of their lives.  Luckily, this is a problem that can be easily fixed.  If you have a mandatory amount of time your child is required to spend reading, doing homework, or even working on chores… consider extending this to spending time outdoors.  Even if it’s not playing, doing homework on a porch swing or at a picnic table instead of at their desk will do wonders.  They will be more aware of what is going on around them and better able to evaluate a variety of senses at one time.  Being outside offers changing stimuli, unlike the constant décor of their bedroom, and the more time children spend outdoors, the more time they will yearn for the fresh smell of the open air. And remember, children build their immune systems as they’re developing.  Kids that are kept away from any sort of dirt and germs will be unable to cope with them as they grow older.  Studies show that adults that spent more time outside as children were less likely to suffer from allergies.
2. Exercise… both mentally and physically:  It’s clear that children are getting less exercise with every generation.  Not only does this lead to a lot of pent-up energy, it leads to a long list of health concerns.  But, children are little balls of activity, and giving them a place outside to expend that is good for them.  Climbing trees, swinging on monkey bars, running, and jumping are all great for their health.  A few minor bumps and bruises may occur, but this is a natural part of being a kid!  Youngsters have an innate need to be active, it’s the constant push from the media encouraging docile sit-in-front-of-the-screen behavior that turns them off of it.  The earlier you foster their love for wind blowing in their face as they sprint after a little brother, the more they will love it as they grow older. But, the physical exercise is not where the importance stops.  Playtime outside will cause your children to develop their own story lines, create their own games, and pretend an old, scary witch is plotting great destruction from that rocking chair, or a far-away princess is sleeping on the chaise lounge.  Let your child’s mind deviate from the plot lines of their video games, the characters on their cartoons, and even the lessons in their schools—let their brains develop correctly by entertaining their active imaginations!
3. Foster team work:  Children who play together, learn together, and teach each other how to develop successful interpersonal skills will be much better off later in life.  If children are constantly left to their own devices to make afternoons fun and full of laughter… they’ll find a way to make sure everyone is involved because, it’s true, “the more the merrier.”  Say goodbye to phrases like, “does not play well with others.”  Through pre-determined team sports like soccer, quoits, kick ball, croquet, bocce ball, and football… your children will learn the value of team work, as well as gracious winning and losing.  Youngsters who learn how to deal and play with a variety of personality types will be less likely to get in fights in high school and more willing to explore new places and ideas. And if you don’t have a horse shoe set, don’t fret.  Many outdoor games are incredibly inexpensive, and even if that’s not in your budget this year… kids can make a game out of almost anything.
4. Learn responsibility:  Giving your children their own space to take care of will give them a sense of ownership that fosters responsibility.  Whether this is their own playhouse or simply a section of the garden with a garden bench, explain that they are responsible for taking care of their little bit of earth.  Teach them to weed and take care of their section of garden or plant flowers in the playhouse’s flower boxes.  Learning to cultivate nature will teach them that they are responsible for taking care of the environment and that their hard work produces beautiful things.  Learning this kind of responsibility will not only be good for their work ethic and behavior, it will also instill a love and accountability for the environment.  Just think, if coming generations know that taking care of the earth is an important responsibility… maybe our fragile planet isn’t doomed.
5. Get selfish; make time for yourself:  Do you often feel like you can’t think over the blaring television?  Do you wish you could get on the family computer to read this blog, but your daughter is too busy playing an online video game? Are you constantly trying to find some way to have a few moments to yourself?  Fostering a love of the outdoors in your children will do just that.  Imagine your kids walking home from school, dropping their book bags at the door, and racing outside to their playhouse, or even just to their section of the yard or garden.  Picking up a soccer ball on their way, you’ll be free to do the things you need to do.  Or, of course, to sit back in your Adirondack chair or porch glider and watch your children run, jump, play, and laugh their way to better holistic health!

See you (and your kids!) outside!

Hazel

Exhausted after a long day of playing!

Tags: adirondack chair, chaise lounge, Croquet, garden bench, gazebo, Outdoor Furniture, patio dining sets, picnic table, play houses, playhouses, porch glider, porch swing, quoites, rocking chair

It’s no surprise that one of the most popular pieces of outdoor furniture in the nation, the chaise lounge, did not originate in this country.  Well, to be completely accurate, I guess I should say that part of it did; the lounge part.  The correct name of the beloved patio chair upon which we lounge is chaise longue (’shAz-’lo[ng]), which translates, literally, from French, as “long chair” – and, ya gotta admit, that’s a good name for it! Sometimes also referred to as a lounge chair, or a steamer chair, the chaise longue was created in 16^th century France, as an elongated chair with four legs, and a slanted back, for reclining.  Although earlier versions of it (upon which royals, including Cleopatra, relaxed) are known to have existed in ancient Greece and Egypt, the chaise longue was designed differently, so that people could lie on their backs, as well as on their sides.

At first, the chaise longue was often made out of curved wood and woven caning, or rattan.  As it evolved throughout Europe, naturally, there was much experimentation with various designs and materials, as it was adapted for diverse surroundings and uses. The chaise longue is believed to have reached our shores, along with the huge waves of immigrants, sometime during the 1830’s.  Here, it underwent another series of changes, especially because of the many new materials, such as plastic and tubular steel, that became widely available after the turn of the 20^th century.  The large variety of rich upholstery fabrics also allowed endless incarnations of the chaise longue, which was used mainly indoors. Eventually – and inevitably – this country’s love of outdoor living led to the creation of the familiar chaise lounge that graces countless patios, porches, decks, gazebos, and cruise ships, today.  Of course, it still comes in many variations, appearing with arms and without arms, or with a single arm, and may be made from several materials, including cedar, pine, teak, and polywood. By the way, there is one other fascinating aspect of the Americanization of its name.  Besides calling it a “lounge,” people commonly pronounce chaise, as “chase,” so it comes out as, “chase lounge.”  I think that says everything we need to know about this country’s earnest pursuit of leisure.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: cedar pine, chaise longue, chaise lounge, Gazebos, lounge chair, Outdoor Furniture, patio chair, polywood, steamer chair, teak