All Outdoor Patio Furniture

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

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

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

1. Create an Entry Way

Even if your whole yard or property isn’t fenced in, it’s good to create a sense of transition from the outside world, to the whimsical home of your garden.  Guests will be put immediately at ease knowing that they are entering a place of tranquility and hospitality.  Most people spend a lot of time decorating their front doors to give their visitors the same feeling, so make sure to do it with your garden as well.  A good way to create an entry way is through the use of arbors or gates.

Choose a flat top or arch top arbor to fit your personality and vine it with colorful and eye-catching plants.  This wide array of climbing color will immediately spark your guests’ interest, inviting them in to see what else your home carries.

A gate can be another way to transition visitors from the outside world to your garden.  If your yard is fenced in for privacy or pets, an arbor with an attached gate will allow you to keep your garden and lawn enclosed, while giving you plenty of space to vine plants and flowers.  Remember that no small touch in your garden will go without notice, and though we should not judge books by their covers, your entry way will set the tone for the entire journey through your yard.  A rusting metal gate will not welcome people in like a friendly gated arbor.

2. Plant Gardens that Work Together

Your entry way will be more interesting if you use a variety of plants; shrubs, vines, and perennials can be plotted to work together if done with a bit of forethought.  Your guests will be surveying the entry way throughout their walk, so make sure they are never bored by breaks in vegetation or jolted by sudden changes in plant life.

Variety is the spice of life, so don’t stick to one color pallet or one type of flower.  Shrubs, like the Winter Gold Winterberry, that produce colorful berries will make sure that your garden is still vibrant with interesting hues long after the flowers have faded.

If you thought you only had plants to work with, think again!  Use fragrant plants to attract wild life, such as butterflies and hummingbirds, to animate your garden and produce endless hours of entertainment.  Planting Shasta Daisies, Cosmos, and Delphiniums will be sure to invite colorful wild life.  And, to entice all sorts of birds, using an out of the ordinary bird feeder will add more curiosity to your space, while inviting the birds to come and play as well.

Make sure your entry way garden is exciting and varied to keep your visitors’ interest, but don’t allow any large breaks or sudden changes to draw the eye to one specific spot that would pull them out of the entire scene.

3. Have a Place to Gather

Having a welcoming entry way garden will put your guests into a calming mindset, eager to enjoy your tranquil space.  The cruelest trick would be to catch their every interest, then force them inside and away from all the natural beauty.  Having a porch swing, patio group, or garden bench will give you and your friends a bright spot to gather for coffee, tea, and conversation.  Folding Adirondack chairs will allow you to move your party anywhere in the garden, while heavier dining sets and deep seating will form an outdoor living room where guests will feel free to lounge and feel at home. But don’t forget, it’s not always just about your guests!  A well placed hammock or swing bed will give you the perfect spot to relax and enjoy all your hard work (without any outside interruptions!)

See You Outside! (in your entry way garden!)

Hazel

Tags: adirondack chairs, Arbors, birdfeeders, deep eating, dining sets, entryways, garden bench, gates, hammock, patio group, porch swings, swing bed

As I swept heaps of snow from my car this morning, I admit, it was difficult to think what kind of new years resolutions I should be putting in for my backyard, patio, and garden.  It seems like the days of crowding around picnic tables and lounging across Adirondack chairs to take in landscapes and gardens will never be upon us again.

But, isn’t that one of the wonderful things about gardening?  A new beginning stumbles to our feet every spring so we can try the flowers again that failed us last year, and even improve upon our vegetables that were so delicious last summer.  Gardening is a great reoccurring experiment; endlessly forgiving and always beckoning for more.

While many gardeners are vowing to pick their squash before they get too large, to keep up with weeding, or to stake their peonies and lilies to ensure they stay upright through rainstorms… my resolution is a bit more simplistic.  I want to spend more time outside, and to enjoy my time there.

It would seem that we spend all winter waiting for a day that doesn’t chill or shock us as we walk out our front door… but then we spend all summer inside our houses. Instead of spending my free time as the weather gets warmer on airplanes taking me far from home, I plan to stay in my own back yard.  Whether it’s the economy encouraging people to stay closer to home, or more environmentally conscious minds are realizing their ecological footprint grows with cross-country travel—the draw to your very own patio oasis is cost effective, family centered, sustainable, and… well… worthy of your New Years Resolution. Take more time for you and your family.

Instead of spending hours and hours (and dollars and dollars!) scheduling trips to spend time with my family, I want to have a place to casually gather without notice, without traveling, and without planning.  Though many are committing to weight loss, I’m committing to fire-fly blinking summer nights rich with the smell of bug spray and dinner on the grill.  The best table in the house will be my very own, and always open for picnic lunches and raucous dinners.  With a croquet or quoits game set up, some patio chairs, and maybe even a porch swing, I’ll be on vacation all season with plenty of activities and fun for my friends.  Let’s be honest: summer television is never worth it anyway, and the gentle breeze blowing through a gazebo or cabana is absolutely irreplaceable.  Who needs the traffic on the way to the shore, when I can just string my hammock between the posts on a pergola, and read a beach romance novel all afternoon?

a moment to treasure

Of course… I’ll also be spending plenty of days digging up vegetables, tending flowers, weeding with dedication, and creating the perfect scenery for my backyard oasis.  I’ll always mow the grass before it gets unruly and never forget to…

….I’ll never forget to have the garden hose ready when my puppy needs a bath on a sweltering day or a baby pool is looking dry, to keep the grill clean for perfect dinners “out,” keep my patio groups pulled close for get-togethers where no one has to worry about talking too loud, and always remember that my swing bed is waiting for me on the porch when I just need some time to relax.  If my flowers droop and weeds grow… my garden will always forgive me and wait until next year.  If I miss enjoying a beautiful season… that’s one thing I’ll never get back!

See you Outside!

Hazel

Tags: adirondack chairs, cabana, Croquet, gazebo, hammock, new years resolutions, outdoor living, patio chairs, patio groups, pergola, picnic tables, porch swing, Quoits, swing beds, tables

Now that Christmas is over, we have one more huge celebration facing us, before we can finally relax. Most of us also have to deal with the chore of taking down the decorations; and, as is the case when putting them up, everyone has a different idea of the proper time for this task.

Just as some people deck the halls – and much more – even before Thanksgiving, there are those who can’t wait to get rid of all signs of Christmas. Some will have everything, including their trees, gone by the 26th; but most people will wait, at least, until New Year’s Day, unless they observe Christmas on a later date. Then, there are those who hate to see the holidays end, and leave everything up for weeks – or even months – after Christmas, which is a bit (okay, more than a bit) strange.

On the other hand, if you, like millions of others, have put a tree in your gazebo as part of an outdoor display, by all means, keep it there. Just take everything off, except the lights; and leave any other lights that you’ve put on the gazebo in place as well.

After all, if your gazebo is not enclosed with windows, doors, or screens, you won’t have your patio chairs, porch swing, picnic table, glider, or hammock in it now, so why let it stand there looking dark and forlorn? With everything else so drab and dull in the winter, nothing brightens the landscape like a charming gazebo sparkling with lights. To make things even cheerier, leave the lights on your pergolas, trellises, and arbors, too.

Naturally, a real tree may not last the entire season; but, at least, you can easily sweep away the needles that it sheds. If it’s an artificial tree, you can leave it up for a few months, and decorate it for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter.

Now, there are those who do leave their trees up permanently, and decorate them for every holiday, major and minor, throughout the year; but I think that would take the novelty out of it for the Christmas season. Like having fireworks every weekend, or turkey every Thursday, or champagne every day, it just wouldn’t be anything special.

Of course, that champagne thing might not be too unbearable!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, gazebo, glider, hammock, patio chairs, Pergolas, picnic table, porch swings, terillises

It happens every summer.  You go to a cookout, grab a beverage, snag a prime spot in an Adirondack chair, chaise lounge, patio chair, porch swing, or hammock, and sit there with everyone else, chatting, snacking, and being mercilessly tantalized by the aroma of chicken cooking on the grill.  When everything is ready and your mouth is watering in anticipation, you choose a nice juicy chunk, find a seat at the picnic table, and take a completely disappointing – and potentially deadly – bite of a bland, bloody bird breast.  Yecchhh! 

Once again, you’re a victim of someone who thinks that all there is to cooking outdoors is throwing some meat on a grill or a barbecue, and waiting for a sumptuous, succulent meal to materialize. 

These people are referred to as Barbecue Botchers (at least, from now on, they will be).  They can generally be identified by their wacky, over-sized aprons, which usually have oh-so-clever and hilarious sayings on them, giant chefs’ hats, and big grilling mitts.  Armed and dangerous, they wield huge forks and tongs, which they use to constantly poke, prod, and flip the meat throughout the entire time that it’s supposed to be cooking.      

Of course, this doesn’t happen only with chicken.  No-o!  These misguided souls fancy themselves masters of the grill (as their aprons may well state), and can do just as thorough a job botching steak, fish, ribs, burgers, and yes, even hot dogs. 

Now, don’t get me wrong; these are not evil people.  Not even close.  They can be friendly, kind, caring, and genuinely wonderful.  Unfortunately, they just have little problem, in that they improperly perceive themselves as professional preparers of provender.  Therefore, they must be stopped – or, at least, slowed down and convinced that they need help.

Yes, that’s the bright spot in all of this; there is hope.  With a bit of practice, they – and anyone else who is so inclined – really can improve their skills, and, perhaps, someday, turn into the master chefs that they have always dreamed of becoming. 

Although I’m mainly just venting here, I will have some great grilling and barbecuing tips in upcoming blogs.  For the nonce, just try to keep anyone fitting the above description as far away from the flame as possible (or attempt to slip in an assistant who actually knows how to grill).  And, by all means, keep them away from the butcher shop as well.

After all, everyone knows that botchers and butchers don’t mix.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy 

Tags: Chair, hammock, picnic table, swing

It’s interesting the way that people tend to block out the less desirable aspects of a situation, and remember mostly the good things.  This is true, not only of incidents or periods in our lives, but of the seasons as well.  For instance, when looking forward to summer, most people dream about spending time at the shore, relaxing under a beach umbrella, sunning themselves poolside on a comfortable lounge chair, lazing around on the porch swing, or napping in the hammock.

Then, the weather starts getting warm, things begin to bloom, and reality sets in.  Oh, yeah.  There’s a ton of stuff growing everywhere, and if you don’t take care of it, the place will be a jungle in no time at all.  Now come the memories of trying to squeeze all of that fun summer stuff in between going to your regular job and doing yard work.  Okay.  That’s not so much fun.

But, wait a minute.  There is one more thing to remember – there are alternatives.  Heck, we’re living in the age of alternatives.  Yes, we’re still used to the standard of the verdant, well-manicured lawns, vibrant gardens, and neatly trimmed hedges, all of which have normally been achieved by working in the yard on weekends, evenings, and holidays.  If you take time out from your toil in the soil, however, and look around, you’ll notice that some people have found some very creative – and attractive – ways to avoid spending all of their free time doing yard work.

In fact, there are those who have eliminated much, if not all, of the greenery in their landscapes, and created “hardscapes” instead.  If this idea conjures depressing images of homes sitting on barren, brown terrain, be assured that, with the ever-growing number of landscaping accessories, which include wide varieties of decorative mulches and stones, hardscapes can be as aesthetically pleasing as lush, green lawns, while requiring much less maintenance.  Furthermore, they also greatly reduce the need for water, which is a big concern in many areas of the country, especially during the hot summer.   

Switching to this type of a landscape does not preclude having a luxuriant garden, either, as there are many varieties of plants that can thrive in such an environment; and I’ll discuss them in future blogs.

In the meantime, have fun creating some more good memories of summer, like spending time on your porch glider, having cookouts with family and friends around your picnic table, and kicking off your shoes and running barefoot through the stones.  Ouch!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy 

Tags: hammock, lounge chair, picnic table, porch swing, umbrella

In the world of outdoor furniture, as in any other realm, there are things whose inventors are known to us, such as Thomas Lee and his Adirondack chair (even though someone else patented it), and things of uncertain origin.  Usually, though, we don’t care where they came from, as long as they’re comfortable; but it’s fun to investigate, as there’s often a good story to be found. 

Take the hammock, for instance.  This quintessential symbol of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer actually began as a strictly practical piece of furniture.  Although it’s unclear where the first one was made, its existence has been traced back to pre-Colombian Latin America, where most people lived in open huts that were constantly invaded by life-threatening reptiles, insects, arachnids, rodents, and other animals. 

While that made sleeping difficult enough, the cold, dirt floors made it nearly impossible.  Created out of necessity, hammocks allowed people to sleep peacefully and comfortably out of the reach of nighttime prowlers; and the ones that crawled up often fell through the mesh of the hammocks. 

From there, the hammock (believed to be so named because it was originally woven from the bark of the Hamack tree) made its way down through history, evolving into several forms, styles, and materials, for various uses, in different societies.  So, how did it end up in this country?  Well, believe it or not, the guy who gets the credit for discovering America, Christopher Columbus, also gets the credit for discovering the hammock! 

While he did come across it during his famous voyage of 1492, which, apparently, was a very big year for Columbus, it was an unrelated find.  After all, he didn’t set sail in search of the most comfortable piece of outdoor furniture in the world, nor did he spot it through a telescope, then begin yelling, “Hammock ho!”  And he certainly didn’t run a-hammock and strand his ship on a piece of fabric strung between two palm trees (although that would seem the literal definition of being stranded, would it not?). 

What happened was simply that Columbus was introduced to the hammock (or, rather, hamaca), by members of the Taino Indian tribe, who were natives of Haiti, and took several of them with him when he left (the hammocks, not the natives). 

So, Columbus did discover one of the most comfortable pieces of outdoor furniture in the world, even though it wasn’t his intended mission; but, at CedarStore.com, it is our on-going mission to keep improving upon it.  We offer hammocks in several materials, styles, and colors, along with hammock stands, hammock chairs, and more, because we want you to be stranded in a very relaxing place.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy            

Tags: hammock, hammock chairs, hammock stands, Hammocks