A backyard cabana is the definition of casual sophistication.  If you’re not sure, exactly, what the modern cabana looks like… let me take you on a small and abbreviated tour of this fantastic backyard fixture.  Originally a Spanish word, a cabaña is a tropical shelter resembling a cabin. Over the years, it has become a structure encompassing vacationing relaxation; a hip and current bungalow embracing the laid-back attitude of the Tropics.  Now, almost all seaside and luxury resorts boast cabanas for socializing, relaxing, and enjoying the island atmosphere.  But, you don’t have to shell out the cash for a week long vacation of jam-packed cabana enjoyment… you can create your own backyard oasis to enjoy the sun for as long as you like! Here are five steps to consider when planning your backyard cabana.

1. Quality: Though your cabana will be a place to leave your cares at the door, make sure to take plenty of care when choosing how your cabana will be constructed.  Using substandard materials, building professionals, or designs will just lead to a disaster and a huge headache.  A cabana that has to be worried about is a complete failure of the entire purpose, after all. The old photos of cabanas constructed of rotting drift wood may look romantic, but you won’t feel so dreamy when it collapses during a rainstorm!
2. Materials: The materials you choose for your cabana is a vital and important decision; the aesthetics, durability, and cost of your structure all very much depend on your material choice.  Western Red Cedar is the most traditional option.  The rich wood with its aromatic qualities will completely transform your mood.  Western Red Cedar also contains a high deposit of natural oils that act as preservatives against wood decay and insect damage.  If you’re looking for a cabana that calls back the spirit of yesterday, Western Red Cedar may be your best choice.  Northern White Cedar is a similar material and possesses the same impressive durability.  But, White Cedar does carry a hint of pinkish white that sets it apart from other materials.  The eye-catching hue creates interest and a certain hint of whimsy.  Dura-Temp is an economical choice that will last over twenty years.  The plywood-based panel siding has a smooth surface that looks natural, but resists moisture, dents, checks and cracks.  It also holds paint incredibly well if you’re looking to add a bit of color to your backyard project.  Pine is another material that will take paint without any problems.  With minimal maintenance and still enduring beauty, Pine is a fantastic choice for someone looking for value and beauty.  Finally, Vinyl is the most untraditional choice that might be perfect for you! It will protect your structure from any kind of weather and is virtually maintenance free.  If you’re looking for a cabana with a bit more of a substantial and house-like look, vinyl will do the trick!
   

   An Oval White Cedar Cabana

3. Shape:  Did you think cabanas only came in four-sided squares (I don’t think there are any other kinds of squares…)?  Nope!  Octagons, rectangles, ovals, hexagons and elongated hexagons with belle roofs are all viable and interesting choices for your backyard cabana. Many rectangle cabanas can have porches attached to them for a more dramatic entrance way and belle-roof cabanas give a wistful silhouette.  You will want to consider how many people will be using your cabana on a daily basis and what kind of atmosphere you’ll want to create.  Rectangular and Elongated Hexagon shapes are more likened to indoor rooms, and therefore more apt to traditional furniture arrangement.  But, Octagons, Ovals, and Hexagons will make you feel truly removed from the ordinary.                                                                                                                                                                                   
4. Use: Don’t let anyone define how your cabana should be used for you!  A backyard cabana should be a personal retreat; so just think of the perfect place to retreat to after a long day… and decorate accordingly!  Light some candles, bask in the sun streaming through your skylights, and enjoy an exercise and meditation area.  Install a flat screen for a dynamite place to watch football games and enjoy the grill right outside the front door!  Your designs will reflect your intended use, so whether you are planning to create a serene and quiet retreat, or a neighborhood destination for get-togethers and parties, your backyard cabana can and will be a complete reflection of your style and personality!                                                                                                                            
5. Décor: Now that you’ve decided how to use it, you get to decorate it!  Remember, the materials you use in your décor will define its style of relaxation.  Try wicker, red cedar, cherry, and teak for sophistication and elegance.  Polywood, vinyl, and coated metal all boast maintenance free properties that will keep you feeling relaxed if upkeep is just not on your to-do list.  But, no matter the material, your options are nearly endless.  For tranquil and calm get-aways, use a natural and soothing rocking motion to propel you toward peace.  A porch swing, porch glider, or a classic rocking chair all provide the proven restful motion that will naturally guide you toward more quiet thinking.  There’s a reason your mother rocked you to sleep… it’s a calming motion enjoyed by almost everyone.  Chaise lounges, though stationary, provide the same feeling of ultimate repose and pampering.  But, of course, if your heart is already set on that flat screen TV, try patio groups, outdoor sofas, comfy patio chairs with ottomans, and (of course) coffee tables and end tables for drinks and snacks! A backyard cabana is also a fantastic structure of an outdoor dining room.  Are you tired of traditional dinner parties and mediocre barbecues?  Go upscale with sophisticated outdoor dining sets, picnic tables, and even bistro sets.  Go the extra mile with a Teak Monarch Bar and high bar tables with bar stools.  You’ll wonder why people feel the need to “go out” when you can simply waltz out your backdoor to the swankiest place in town.

The materials and shape of your cabana, as well as the type of outdoor furniture you use to decorate it will define your retreat.  But, such a versatile structure is sure to fit your needs because you can design it to be EXACTLY what you want!  Doesn’t it feel fantastic? What do you have in mind; have you started planning yours yet?

See you in your Cabana!

Hazel.

I hope I’m not pigeon holing our readers too much… but as I spent much of my weekend glued to the weather channel, it seems that the majority of our fine nation was dumped on with snow recently. Here in Pittsburgh, we’re still in a state of snow emergency… with the national guard and over a hundred out-of-state workers trying to dig us out.

But, enough about us… I’m sure you’re much more concerned about your gardens and lawns than the city with six superbowl rings (congratulations Saints)

So, when looking out your windows how, exactly, will you deal with all of that snow and ice covering your garden and landscaping?

Determine Snow-Type: Natural coverings of snow, from falling and drifting, are actually not damaging your flowers and vegetables. In fact, it serves as an insulating layer, and slow melting will provide a lot of much-needed moisture to winter’s dry vegetation. The problem comes when snow plows, snow blowers, and even shuffles pile dense and heavy snow that are slow to melt and too heavy for most trees or shrubs. If your snow removal is within your control, do your best to keep it away from any kind of growth.

Evaluate Trees and Shrubs: Even natural snow in large amounts can be too much for tender branches. To avoid damage to your tress or shrubs, take steps to protect the branches from drooping, bending, or even snapping. Leave you shovel on the driveway and pick up a broom, car brush, or just your gloves to gently sweep the snow from the branches. Remember, a broken branch is like a broken bone, so be careful! Don’t ever shake the plant as the brittle and stressed branches may snap. And, brush in an upward motion to avoid using force to further bend or break a branch. You’ll find best results if you do this before too many inches of snow accumulate… the more often you clean off your trees, the better off you’ll be. A word to the wise: these are great steps to take with snow… but ice is a different story. If the branches are already covered or incased in ice, no matter what you do, any sort of interference will cause more damage. Just let them be to melt naturally.

Protect Structures and Furniture: Though the snow piling up on the arms of your adirondack chairs or atop your accent table look comical and help to really define exactly how much snow has fallen… it’s best to remove the accumulation as quickly as possible. If you can do so safely, sweep snow from the roofs of gazebos, cabanas, and sunrooms. So much weight isn’t good for even heavy structures. If you have any arbors or lattice, you would be surprised at the immense weight piles of snow can boast, and should protect these more delicate garden enhancements. Sweeping the snow from your patio groups, dining sets, and picnic tables should be much less work and require less attention to safety measures… so don’t avoid cleaning them off. While the most durable of woods may not show damage from days under snow piles and ice…such heavy levels of moisture aren’t good for any material. Protect your outdoor furniture so it will serve you best in the spring!

After braving what many newscasters have called, “snow-magedden,” make sure to hang all wet and snowy clothes to dry fully without collecting mildew or mold from being stuffed back into closets or drawers, and make a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. No matter how intelligent our weather-predictors get, you know (perhaps from years of trying to manipulate your garden to produce prize-winning flowers) that nature will always win over human strength. Shovel as you can and don’t let yourself be overworked. In fact, make sure to pull your family and snow-friendly pets out from under their beds’ blankets to make snow angels, snow men, and maybe even adventurous snow tunnels. Protect your lawn from the snow… but don’t forget to enjoy it as well!

now that’s a way to warm up!

See you Outside!

Hazel

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!

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