Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

It’s Friday afternoon.  Are you feeling pumped up for the weekend?  Have you already begun to plan a day trip, a gardening chore or two, or a big baking exertion? Or, has your mind wandered to the evenings out sure to come stumbling your way?

I am not feeling any of that pre-weekend excitement.  I am feeling that pre-weekend exhaustion.  Anyone else?  I have every intention of spending my swinging and crazy Friday night curled up in my hammock with outdoor living magazines and a smoothie.

So, for you, oh embracers of the weekend nap… I invite you to create an outdoor napping spot! Sit back, relax, and get comfortable!

Hang a Hammock: Ah, the hammock. Mine hangs in my backyard to constantly beckon me with a sweet invitation.  If you still don’t have one, (or worse, if you have one and it’s not hanging up) I highly suggest that you get it ready for Saturday. Its lazy way of hugging your body while swaying in the breeze is everything an August afternoon should have. Hang it in the corner, away from the hustle and bustle.

Curl up in a Swingbed: Remember when they came out with the iphone? The thought of one device to be your music library and your telephone, as well as provide internet access was inconceivable.  My excitement over the iphone does not even begin to touch my awe when I saw my first swingbed.  Are you ready? It’s porch swing that’s also a day bed.  If you haven’t experienced this yet, now is the time. With a ridiculously deep seat, you can literally curl up into perfect comfort on a porch swing… a swingbed

Lounge in a Chaise Lounge: Ready for a no-brainer? Chaise lounges have “lounge” in the name! Go vintage and sprawl out on a piece of outdoor furniture often called a fainting couch.  A cool drink is required, as well as huge sunglasses. Relax, dah-ling.

Get Comfy in Deep Seating: You know the neighbors you have with the TV and old couch falling apart on the front lawn? This is not that! Deep seating is interior style outdoor furniture.  The deep, comfy, cushiony feel of a sofa or loveseat… designed to take on the elements.  Too good to be true?  Nope, it’s totally possible.

Ready for an afternoon nap? I am.  No matter where you stretch out or curl up… just do it outdoors and in style.

Oh! And Have Fun!

Hazel.

Tags: chaise lounge, deep seating, hammock, Outdoor Furniture, porch swing, swingbed

I think we’re all guilty of not appreciating what we have.  So often we look out to our porches and outdoor spaces and wish we could have that front page worthy living or dining area.  And then, deciding we can’t completely furnish a new outdoor room, we walk away and let our backyards and patios stay non-functional and boring.

But, on a tight budget, it’s still completely possible to create an outdoor space that you feel comfortable entertaining in.  The first step is to assess what you already have.  Adirondack chairs are great because they can be used in large numbers, alone in the corner, or as a part of a varied outdoor furniture set. If it’s crafted from pine or cypress, you can change the look and brighten it up by adding a coat of paint.  Plus, indoor pieces can often transition to outdoor furniture.  Have a side table that just doesn’t fit into your living room anymore?  Paint it or stain it, then use it in your outdoor space!

When looking at new outdoor furniture, look for pieces that are both versatile and durable.  Going with the most inexpensive furniture you can find might save you money now, but you’ll be in this same predicament by next spring.  Invest now so you can enjoy it for a lifetime.  A good way to see how long-lasting a piece will be is to consider its material, hardware, and construction.  Teak, Eucalyptus, and Cedar are some of the most durable woods available.  While Cypress and Pine also do very well when properly painted, treated, or maintained.  Stainless steel hardware will last you your whole life, and definitely worth looking for, but galvanized steel will serve you well too.  Finally, pieces individually handcrafted from artisans and made in the United State will last infinitely longer than those mass produced overseas.  It’s important to spend your money wisely.  As your outdoor furniture will come into contact with the elements on a regular basis, it’s vital to ensure that it’ll last!

Well, now that you know that criteria… the fun part is picking out your outdoor furniture (of course!)   How do you envision yourself using your outdoor space and who is going to be using it most?  Al fresco dining is fantastic and patio dining sets come in all shapes and sizes.  Looking for just a cozy spot to escape with a loved one? Try an outdoor bistro set that can nestle into a corner.  Hoping to host raucous backyard bashes full of kids and family? Better go with an ultra heavy-duty picnic table that’s big enough to accommodate all the hungry eaters.  Of course, if you’re looking for more of a lounge area than an eating area, you can always take your plates out to the deep seating or patio chairs anyway.  A great deep seating collection is going to be luxurious, hugely functional, and incredibly long lasting.  But, if money’s tight, you can always go with a nice garden bench or patio chair and add an outdoor cushion to still lend comfort.

Outdoor design is not about how much money you can spend.  It’s about getting creative about what you already have and deciding on pieces that are worth your investment.  If you choose your outdoor furniture wisely to serve your needs while mix and matching it with pieces you already have… you’ll have a wonderful outdoor space that you’ll love to come home to!

Have Fun!

Hazel

Tags: adirondack chairs, deep seating, garden bench, outdoor bistro set, outdoor cushion, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, patio dining sets, picnic table

We talk a lot about creating your own at-home oasis.  After all, “stay-cations” have become one of the most popular family destinations as people use backyard structures and outdoor furniture to create beautiful paradises.

But, what about the professionals?  Your backyard haven is just one aspect of the many parts of your home you balance.  But, vacation resorts are completely focused on creating relaxing and rejuvenating environments that will turn people’s everyday stress into invigorating retreats.

Caneel Bay is a luxury resort situated in the pristine natural surrounding of The Virgin Islands National Part on St. John Island.  If anyone knows every detail of get-away design, it’s certainly the island resorts of the Caribbean.  And, the experts turned to our experts for gazebo and cabana design!

First, this open air gazebo serves as a wonderful sheltered outdoor living room.  Using bright teals to add bursts of unexpected color, it reserves an island feel without pushing over into cliché or overwhelming themes.  The outdoor deep seating collection exudes relaxed elegance, as the rich hardwood pulls together the entire outdoor room set that coordinates, but isn’t too “matchy.”

(Click photo to view larger)

This is certainly a design you could emulate in your own home!  For those who do not have a full staff of house keeping, however, you might want to try deep seating that has storage within the arms and back for the cushions.  That way, you can put the cushions away without lugging them into your storage shed, when you’re headed in for the night and rain seems to be on the way.  There are also a lot of stylish deck boxes that could hold your cushions and keep them safe outdoors.  What are your thoughts on it?

And, within sight of this fabulous outdoor living room… is that a cabana?  Why Yes! Can you guess what it’s used for?

Think the ultimate in relaxation…

Yes! A massage space overlooking the ocean proves this resort as one wonderful place!  The hardwood floors, bamboo-style shades, and exposed rafters create a rustic, yet refined feeling of secluded retreat. The palm-leaf style outdoor ceiling fan will keep the sea breeze moving, and fits seamlessly with this tropical décor.  My favorite part is that the rafters are painted white to match the walls, while the exposed ceiling remains its natural wood color.  Such a subtle color choice really brings through the marine feeling of this oasis.

You might be thinking, “What would I do with something like this in my home though?  I can barely get my husband to rub my shoulders!”  Okay, Okay, a massage chair and full spa might be a little over-the-top for your at-home oasis.  But, a cabana with rich hardwood floors, exposed painted rafters, a fabulous outdoor ceiling fan, and bamboo-style blinds can make much more than just an open air spa…  How about a dining area? A meditation retreat? An art or writing studio?  The options are endless. Plus, with walls and a closing door, you can use it for more seasons and in inclement weather!

So, if you hadn’t planned to go toward the islands this summer… that’s no reason to miss out on fabulous outdoor retreats.  Create your own tropical resort this summer, and enjoy it every day: Not for a week, not on one trip, everyday!

After all, if even the top tropical resorts are turning to us…why would you turn to anybody else?

Tags: backyard structures, cabana, deck boxes, deep seating, gazebo, outdoor ceiling fan, outdoor deep seating, Outdoor Furniture, storage shed