As the weather starts to warm up, many of us start thinking about how we can make the most of our outdoor spaces. Whether it’s a small patio or a large backyard, there are plenty of ways to create the ultimate outdoor living space.
Read More
OUTDOOR LIVING INVOLVES OUTDOOR EATING AND COOKING
One of the best ways to enjoy the summer season is by spending time in your backyard. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or simply enjoying a meal with your family, these backyard-friendly recipes are sure to impress: Grilled Steak – Season your favorite cut of steak with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill to your desired level of doneness and serve with a side of grilled vegetables for a complete meal. Greek Salad – Combine chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and feta cheese in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. This refreshing salad pairs well with grilled meats. Grilled Pizza – Make your own pizza dough or use store-bought. Brush with olive oil and top with your favorite toppings such as tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. Grill until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. Lemon Garlic Shrimp – Marinate shrimp in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes. Grill until cooked through and serve with a side of rice or a salad. Grilled Vegetables – Cut your favorite vegetables (such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant) into bite-sized pieces. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill until tender. Serve as a side dish or add to salads and sandwiches. Homemade Lemonade – Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and water in a pitcher. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and serve over ice. Add a sprig of fresh mint or a slice of lemon for extra flavor. These recipes are perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or simply enjoying a meal under the sun. So dust off your grill, set up a table, and savor the flavors of summer in your own backyard!
Read More
DECORATING YOUR PATIO
Decorating your patio can add a lot of style and comfort to your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking for a cozy nook to relax with a good book or a spot to entertain friends and family, there are many ways to transform your patio into a beautiful and inviting area. Here are a few tips on how to decorate your patio: 1. Choose your furniture wisely. Select pieces that are comfortable and stylish, and make sure they are suited to the size of your patio. Consider using furniture that can be moved around easily, so that you can rearrange it to suit different occasions. 2. Add personal touches. Incorporate items that reflect your style and personality, such as a vintage rug or a colorful throw pillow. 3. Invest in good lighting. Outdoor lighting can make a huge difference in the ambiance of your patio. Consider investing in string lights, candles or lanterns to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Read More
THE SOUNDS OF WATER
The sound of water in your backyard can create a sense of tranquility and relaxation. Water features, such as fountains, waterfalls, and ponds, are popular additions to outdoor living spaces because they add both visual interest and soothing sounds to the environment. The sound of flowing water has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Additionally, water features can also attract wildlife to your backyard, such as birds and butterflies, adding to the natural ambiance of your outdoor space. Whether you choose a small tabletop fountain or a larger pond with a waterfall, incorporating a water feature into your backyard can help to create a peaceful and serene environment where you can unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Read More
WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE STAMPED CONCRETE?
Stamped concrete patios are a popular choice for outdoor living spaces because they offer a durable and low-maintenance surface that can be customized with a variety of colors and patterns to match any style or design. Additionally, stamped concrete patios can be designed to blend seamlessly with other elements of your outdoor space, such as landscaping, furniture, and lighting, to create a cohesive and inviting environment for relaxing and entertaining.
Read More
CREATING A SENSE OF PRIVACY ON YOUR DECK
Lack of seclusion might ruin the ambiance of your deck, which is supposed to be your outdoor retreat. These deck privacy ideas provide easy fixes for a more private outdoor space, whether you’re struggling with adjacent neighbors, traffic noise, or an unattractive view. With these ideas, you can transform your patio or deck into a quiet, peaceful refuge.
Read More
STYLISH WALKWAY OPTIONS
There are so many fantastic ideas for walkways and pathways if you’re seeking a fresh design for your front entrance, a solution for your side yard, or you just want to put stepping stones in your garden.
Read More
DECORATING YOUR FRONT PORCH
One of the biggest trends in 2023 outdoor living is a focus on front yard design. While backyard living spaces will always be a priority when it comes to usable living space and expanding living spaces, we’ve noticed a trend toward dressing up front yards for visible curb appeal. Just like any other room in the house, a front porch can be decorated.
Read More
OCTOBER LANDSCAPING TO DO LIST
It’s beginning to look a lot like Fall. Cooler temps, a little more rain, and some dreaded nor’easters. But that doesn’t end the landscaping season and certainly shouldn’t keep you from completing some important tasks and fun decorating ideas.
Read More
Plants for Your Patio Planters
It wasn’t a difficult decision to add a new patio as a way to create more living space for your home. But now you’d like to bring more life to it. And this can be best accomplished with the addition of outdoor planters. Now comes the fun part! Deciding what to plant. And deciding on the containers to put those plants. One thing that will really add style to your patio is to select planters that are similar in style and color. Or to buy a specific design of planter and stick to that one style. The diversity will come from your plants. We love this collection from Pottery Barn. There are several different planters you can choose from that will match your style type. The plant selection needs more consideration when it comes to exposure to the elements. Is your patio space filled with shade? A few plants that might be perfect for you containers include coleus, fuschia, coral bells (heuchera), and impatiens. My absolute favorite shade plant for both color and foliage variety is coleus. Planted in a container along with some impatients and you will create a backyard show stopper. The color and size of the leaves have such a tremendous vaiety, and they are also extremely easy to care for. Is your patio in full sun? If you need plants to survive extreme heat and sun, there are numerous options when it comes to creating that perfect container full of lush colorful, plants. Among the choices are lantana, geraniums, zinnias, mint (it’s pretty, it smells great and it has multiple uses in food and drinks), palms (particularly Chinese fan palms) and the beauiful, crazy blooming Mandevilla. There are so many options when it comes to the plants that will decorate your patio, and you can go bold, basic, subdued with your planters and once you’ve decided on the planters, you can go try all of the different plants that are suited to the environement these planters will be placed. Choose planters and plants that compliment your existing hardscape and landscape choices.
Read More