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.

I woke up this morning and my first thought was, “Yay! It’s blog hop Tuesday!”

Okay, that was a lie.  I think my first thought was actually, “It’s early, where’s the coffee…” But, immediately after that one was the blog hop one.  I promise.

If you’re not up to date on our blog hop, we have five talented, creative, and incredibly diverse designers featuring their expertise in crafts, painting, jewelry, beading and more on 5 different Kathy Peterson Adirondack Chairs.  We wanted to take an outdoor furniture staple, and show how it can be made completely unique.

Last week, quilt designer Pat Sloan knocked her chair out of the water. And this week, painter, Julie Fillo, is sure to inspire a ton of creativity!

Julie Fillo has been painting and loving birds and flowers most of her life. She paints in acrylics and mixed media and loves to splash color and portray exuberance in what she calls Contemporary Folk Art. She really enjoys making up flowers and plants and birds, but lately has been collaborating with a Taiwanese photographer, Sushyue Liao, using his bird images in her paintings.

She has been married 35 years, has 3 wonderful children and 2 beautiful grandchildren. She paints in a tiny studio upstairs that looks out on the back garden in a 105 year old home in the North Slope Historic District in Tacoma, WA.

If you’ve never seen, experienced, or looked into Contemporary Folk Art–I promise that her work will get you excited.  She is amazing!

Hope on over to Julie Fillo’s Art Blog to check out all of the photos, design steps, inspirations, and more!  I love all of the little details she included– like a hidden creepy, crawler, friend!

Don’t miss this one! When art, crafts, outdoor living, design, and blogging all come together– everyone wins.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

classic Pasisian balconies

If you have a small porch, you may be confronted with the issue of choosing and arranging outdoor furniture that will make the most of this outdoor space.  But, before you start fretting, take a moment to give thanks!  Even a small Parisian balcony is something to be thankful for, as an outdoor space attached to your home is a wonderful gift.

But, now that you’re thoroughly thankful for your porch, it’s time to figure out how to make the most of it.

For you dwellers of the small porch, don’t shy away from adding patio furniture.  I find Adirondack chairs and outdoor rocking chairs the most versatile pieces for smaller porches.  They’re easily transportable, fun to re arrange, and can be grouped or separated as needed.  Try facing all of your patio chairs outward to face the view.  You might be thinking, “My view is of a busy road and a neighbor that frequently mows the lawn in his underwear.” You could look into planting trees or trellis sections along the edge of your yard to block that view entirely with green.  But, we’re focusing this post on porches! So, why not try hanging a multitude of hanging flowers and plants around your porch?  Or, if the situation is serious, see if you can hang durable indoor-outdoor curtains or sheers to help camouflage the view. But, also don’t discount the fun of people watching.  While you may have tired of your exhibitionist neighbor-landscaper, your guests might find it thrilling!

Using a mix of outdoor rocking chairs, Adirondack chairs, patio chairs, and other outdoor furniture, you can arrange them to all face out but cluster them to still encourage conversation.  If you feel comfortable, by all means go for larger porch gliders or garden benches, but don’t over-crowd your porch if the space just isn’t available.

Also, evaluate how you’ll use your porch carefully.  Are you looking for a space to relax or to relax… and eat? Or both?  Your porch might not fit a picnic table, but there are plenty of outdoor bistro sets and trestle picnic tables that are perfect for small outdoor spaces.  Plus, you can pull the chairs or benches from that bistro set over to your other outdoor chairs if you have a few extra people over to sit a spell.

If outdoor dining is really your preferred method of enjoying your porch, by all means go for it!  Survey your options for patio dining sets and outdoor bistro sets until you find something that fits your space, your style, and your budget.  And, don’t be afraid to ask for customized options!

If you have the room, make sure to still craft a little secluded corner for yourself.  Even if you use an outdoor rocking chair you plan to pull over to the larger group when guests arrive, have a home base for it.  Add an outdoor accent table for piling books and setting your drink on, and know that that little corner of the porch will be your special spot.  If you prefer afternoon naps to afternoon snacks… string a hammock in the corner of your porch.  It will give you a retreat, while adding a hint of relaxing whimsy to your over-all design scheme.

No matter the size of your porch though, porch swings will work anywhere!  In fact, you might want to use one  to craft that personal retreat I mentioned earlier.  Find an outdoor furniture retailer that provides customizable lengths, measure the widest part of your porch, and ask them what size they recommend to get the most use from the area.  Don’t forget to also get plush outdoor furniture cushions and throw pillows to make your porch swing a destination!

So, no matter the size, shape, or view from your porch… remember that it’s a blessing! Use your space wisely with expert outdoor furniture arrangement, and you’ll enjoy it for longer!

Have Fun!

Hazel

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

I am positively BUZZING about today’s premier blog hop for Kathy Peterson’s Adirondack Chair.   Our first Adirondack chair comes from Pat Sloan!

Pat Sloan has been creating since she was a child.  From the first shoebox dioramas to sketches for a fabric line, there has always been creative energy flowing.  When she tried her hand at quilting in 1985, she never looked back.  Now, owner and founder of the quilting design and publishing company Pat Sloan & Co., she has published over 20 books, more than 100 patterns, nearly 10 fabric lines, and has had her work featured in major quilt magazines.

Pat first began sharing her knowledge through her publications, workshops, and lectures, but has expanded her reach through social media.  She has built quilting yahoo groups, forums, facebook communities, and even the group “Quilters in Second Life” for quilting enthusiasts using the popular virtual world, Second Life.  Also interested in beading, painting, and paper crafting, Pat’s overall passion has always been to help others harness their creative energy.

As a quilt designer, she designed her Adirondack chair to look like a double wedding ring quilt pattern.  My favorite part about it is that the warm, comfy feeling I get when wrapped up in one of my mother’s quilts is so similar to that relaxed, happy feeling I get when sinking into an Adirondack chair.  It’s the perfect pairing!

She shows you the steps to create it yourself, as well as materials, tips, and cute quips!  Hop on over to check it out!

Click to see the rest of Pat Sloan’s Double Wedding Ring Quilt Adirondack Chair

Have Fun!

Hazel

If you’re looking for an excellent summer project for you and your family, look no further than the blog-osphere!.  TV designer, Kathy Peterson, is using her exclusive new line of patio furniture, Kathy Peterson Inspired-Outdoor Lifestyles to excite creative mastery in crafters everywhere.

“When I was creating my line of patio furniture, I wanted to offer as many color options as possible,” said designer, Peterson. “But, I also wanted to invite the creative in all of us to participate in the fun, so I crafted each piece from Cypress to allow for easy painting and decorating.”  Cypress, a resilient hard word with natural oil embedded in the heartwood, makes it naturally resistant to insects and decay. When kiln dried, cypress has little tendency to warp or cup. But, beyond its durability, it readily accepts all sorts of paints and stains.  “I wanted to find a way to inspire people to put their own personal touch on their outdoor living spaces,” Peterson commented.

To reach this goal, Kathy Peterson hand selected five diverse designers with talents in all areas of creativity.  Each designer will be putting her own unique decorating touch on an unfinished Adirondack chair from Kathy’s line.  Highlighting a designer project every Tuesday from July 20 to August 17, each blogger will be posting photos, directions, inspirations, and materials for her distinctive spin. Everyone involved is anxious to see the completed projects.  As the coordinator, I can tell you that everyone has been buzzing about how each designer is putting her own creative touch on it.

If you thought that once you’ve seen one Adirondack chair, you’ve seen them all… think again!  Kathy Peterson gathered five incredibly unique crafters and designers that will each redefine how you see an Adirondack chair.  And, seeing them all is as easy as ever!

Just stop by this blog (or any of the designer blogs) every Tuesday to see a sneak peak of the decorated chair and a link over to the featured blog.  Then, hop on over there and see all the photos and inspirations!

These versatile designers include Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter TV personality cracking up readers and inspiring creativity in six humorous how-to design books; Kathy Cano-Murillo, author of the crafting book “Waking Up in the Land of Glitter”; Julianna Hudgins, an HGTV and DIY network regular; Julie Fillo, an off beat painter whose work reflects folk tendencies and soul-searching inspiration, and Pat Sloan, a highly sought quilt designer and master quilter.

Beaders, Jewelry makers, quilters, scrap bookers, glitter enthusiasts? How can you not be dying to see what they’re plans are for an Adirondack chair?! It kicks off with Pat Sloan, quilter, tomorrow morning.  So, stop back to see the creativity and get inspired!

Have Fun!!

Hazel.

Well, it’s here!  We all gathered around the small television in our owner’s office yesterday morning to see our beautiful belle roof gazebo make its debut on the famed morning talk show Live! with Regis and Kelly.

Without getting too sentimental, we were all buzzing with the opportunity.  I won’t lie and say we weren’t thrilled about the exposure, but it wasn’t just that that had our hearts racing.  We do have a global reach, but at the end of the day we’re still a small business.  We know our customers by name, we are consistently calling meetings to make sure we are giving the best service possible, and are truly passionate about helping both commercial properties and homeowners create outdoor spaces to love and enjoy with their families. We’re a business that, no matter how many people try to convince us we should, will never use an automated service to answer our phones or direct calls.  Every time the phone rings, some one is going to pick it up.  These are all small things, but they’re important to us.  Seeing one of our favorite gazebos on a show we’ve all watched before from our couches was like watching a best friend finally land the starring role in her favorite play after helping her rehearse lines.

It looked gorgeous up on that stage, and as we huddled around the television with travel mugs of coffee and that early Monday morning feeling of ambition…it became clear how we got it there in the first place.  After the first five minutes of the show, we all realized that we should be working on creating happy customers instead of watching television.  So, we turned it off and all scurried back to our desks… ready to make a backyard as breathtaking as the Regis and Kelly Stage.

Have Fun!

Hazel

Okay, excuse the lame pun.  The truth is, the U.S. Women’s Open was held right here in our home town, Pittsburgh, Pa.  And, as a big event in need of outdoor furniture, they of course turned to us for traditional A-frame picnic tables with 2″ umbrella holes at the center.  So, there was actually a hole in all 50 of them, but I certainly couldn’t title this post “Our Picnic Tables have a hole in 50!”

This past weekend, the U.S. Women’s Open returned to the Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh, Pa for the first time since 1992.  A thrilling and beautiful outdoor event, the more than 125,000 spectators enjoyed the gorgeous surroundings right along with the steep competition.

But, with so many fans gathering to witness the historic contest, Oakmont knew they would need local support to create the most hospitable environment possible.  Thankfully, the Pittsburgh region is home to one of the nation’s most highly sought after outdoor furniture retailers… us!

Supplying 50 treated pine picnic tables to Oakmont for the U.S. Women’s Open, each featured a two-inch umbrella hole to accommodate patio umbrellas to help block the sun.  The Oakmont Country Club used the picnic tables around the concession area and throughout the course. Both athletes and spectators had a comfortable place to dine outdoors, as well as sit to relax and socialize.  “Going to the Women’s U.S. Open isn’t like attending other sporting events,” said a snacking spectator. “It’s as much a cultural and society event as it is an athletic competition.”

Think of these picnic tables as Paula Creamer’s polo shirt.  Sure, you can get a collared short sleeve tee shirt nearly anywhere.  But, golfing events call for elegant sportswear… a casual mindset with luxurious features.  The treated pine picnic tables feature the traditional A-frame design with attached benches, but still boast smooth, rounded edges and countersunk hardware.  It’s actually one of our best selling styles,  thanks to that classic silhouette paired with high-end quality.

Our owner, Tim McTighe was happy to make the donation.  “I was excited to get our company involved for so many reasons,” Tim commented. “I love to golf and was thrilled to help out the event.  But, as another local business with a global reach, partnering with Oakmont Country Club was a wonderful experience.”

The picnic tables had such an overwhelming response of phone and online requests, Tim actually left the office today to head down to the country club to sell them directly from Oakmont at a first come, first served basis. If you missed your chance to get one of the U.S. Women’s Open originals, you can still get the same style the famed golfers used.  Visit AllPicnicTables.com today or simply call us up at 1-888-2339.

Have Fun!

Hazel

A lucky reader of Horticulture magazine will be adding beauty and color to his or her garden as a result of the magazine’s partnership with the highly sought television designer, decorator, and Master Gardener, Kathy Peterson.  Her premier line of outdoor furniture, Kathy Peterson’s Inspired – Outdoor Lifestyles is quickly inspiring all those passionate about outdoor living.  The Horticulture Garden Giveaway is a first for the publication and will be open for entries between June 16 and July 14 culminating with the drawing held on July 15th. “We’re excited to kick off our Garden Giveaway series with CedarStore.com and the Kathy Peterson Inspired-Outdoor Lifestyles collection,” said Patty Craft, publisher and editorial director of Horticulture Magazine. “CedarStore.com offers a wide range of outstanding garden products that we want to share with our readers.” One winner will receive a three-piece bistro set from the Kathy Peterson Inspired collection to add to their patio or garden.

“We’re eager to meet new and passionate gardeners interested in invigorating their gardens and outdoor spaces, said Tim McTighe, owner of CedarStore.com.  ”We can think of no better way to give back to gardeners than working with the prestigious Horticulture Magazine.”

The bistro set was chosen for this first-time giveaway due to its appeal to both serious or hobbyist gardeners. Built of weather resistant cypress for durability, the set also has a creative side with the colorful options selected by Peterson. “The contest winner will be able to select from one of my fifteen custom color finishes,” said Kathy Peterson, designer. “But, it also can ship unfinished as a blank canvas for the winner to apply his or her own colors and designs.”

If you haven’t entered yet, you better get to it!  You have a week and a day! Hurry!

Of the millions of Independence Day celebrations that will be taking place this weekend, a large percentage will be pool parties.  If you’re going to host one, don’t skimp on the red, white, and blue decorations, when it comes to your pool house or cabana.

Of course, outdoor décor, although key, is not your first consideration; nor, for that matter, is the food.  If you own a pool, you know that ensuring the safety of all those who will be using it takes precedence over everything.  After all, you want everyone who goes swimming to have fun, and emerge feeling refreshed and, perhaps, hungry for another burger hot off the grill.

Obviously, the first, and most crucial, precaution is to never allow kids to go into the water unsupervised.  Even those who know how to swim, or are using flotation devices, can develop cramps underwater, or hit their heads, before anyone knows what’s happening.  Moreover, no child under four years old should be in the pool at all, unless accompanied by an adult.

So, make sure that there are enough patio chairs, lounge chairs, or steamer chairs around the pool, positioned too much to drink.  Anyone overseeing children must be fully alert, and able to keep track of them; and that’s hard enough as it is, because, as I’ve noticed many times, while watching kids at pools, they all seem to look alike when they’re wet!

It’s also a good idea to set rules – in writing – and post them prominently, poolside, along with emergency numbers.  Make sure that everyone reads them before going into the pool, and knows that they will be strictly enforced.  Keep rescue equipment, such as a shepherd’s hook, or a life preserver, nearby; and, if you don’t already know it, learn CPR.  Don’t hesitate to yell at your kids if they violate any regulations; and, if necessary, do it loudly enough to scare their friends straight, too.

All pools should be enclosed with fences, at least four feet high, which have gates that can be locked, and no nooks or crevices that can be used as footholds.  Keep outdoor furniture, such as garden benches and picnic tables, away from the outsides of the fences, so that kids can’t use them as aids in climbing.

When they’re not in use, pools should be covered; otherwise, open them completely.  Never leave a cover on partway, because kids may get trapped beneath it.  When an above-ground pool is not in use, remove its ladder.  Don’t leave toys near the pool, especially moving things, such as tricycles and wagons.

Never let anyone dive into an above-ground pool, or from the sides of an in-ground pool; and don’t let anyone go down a slide head-first.

It’s also important to remember that even small amounts of water, such as can be held in wading pools, hot tubs, fountains, barrels, and even buckets, can pose perils to small children.

The point is to (please!) just be safe and happy, and have a wonderful time celebrating this, the

234^th birthday of our nation; and (please!) be kind to each other while you’re at it (aw, heck, I know you will!).

Happy, Happy, Safe, Safe Fourth of July!

Kathy