Archive for the 'Lawn and Garden' Category
Sep
6
5 ways to prepare your outdoor living space for fall
September 6, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – While everyone eagerly waits for spring each year and wishes summer could last a month or two longer, when it comes down to it, fall just might be America’s favorite season. It’s warm but not hot, the air has that clean crispness that’s hard to describe and perhaps the biggest draw, pumpkin-flavored everything. And let’s not forget about all those bright, beautiful leaf colors that come with the change in weather. So why start shutting down your outdoor living space with the first sign of fall?
Packing it in early is something dynamic design duo, Colin and Justin, would never consider. The home improvement stars of “Cabin Pressure” and “Game of Homes” make the most of their beautiful Western Red Cedar deck all year around.
“Oh my gosh every single day, we’re on the deck – whether it’s summer, spring, fall, winter or whatever,” says Justin. “A deck isn’t just for three months of the year; a deck is what you want it to be. And if you love the great outdoors as much as we do, you can make it work.”
Here, then, are Colin and Justin’s top five design solutions to help extend your outdoor living well into the autumn months:
Start with the right deck
Just because you procrastinated, doesn’t mean you need to wait until next spring to build or start designing a show-stopping deck. Whatever your plans, though, one thing almost everyone agrees upon is that there’s nothing quite like the rich, textural warmth of a Western Red Cedar deck to create a beautiful all-season outdoor living space. Low maintenance, surprisingly affordable and easy to work with, Real Cedar can’t be beat.
“We recommend getting your big ticket items first, around which you can seasonally adjust and tailor your look with different smaller and more affordable purchases,” says Colin. “And with decks, it’s worth investing in a really good product to start with like Western Red Cedar, which will last and last and last. Honestly, it just gets better with age, improving as the years pass, and it really is a showstopper.”
Screen it in
Unless you’ve got a screened-in porch, you may still have to shield your outdoor living space from the occasional nippy breeze. For Colin and Justin, this is easily rectified with movable wicker screens that they store inside during the summer months.
“They’ve got a lovely weighty bottom to them,” says Justin. “The wind passes right through them and that’s a good tip for anyone using freestanding screens on the outside. If they’re too solid, the wind can catch them. But if they’re fretwork or open panels or cutout work, they’re good.”
Heat things up
Paradoxically, as the days grow shorter, you’ll wish they would last longer. There’s no more perfect way to cap off a perfect fall day than by sitting around a fire with friends and family.
“In the autumn, we have two propane operated fire bowls that sit smack dab in the center of our Western Red Cedar deck,” says Colin. Their gas-powered fire is safely contained in a stone bowl and leaves no ashes or embers. “And those fire bowls help us stretch out our summer a little bit. We also have two big patio heaters, which we can direct inward at either end of our terrace and they really makes a big difference.”
Bundle up with textiles
Sometimes all it takes to warm up your outdoor living space is some simple, yet chic, soft furnishings and yes, maybe even a change in wardrobe. (But don’t worry – you don’t have to say good-bye to your beloved flips flops, just “until we meet again next spring.”)
“We take out lots of really lovely textural throw pillows and rich woolen blankets – think Pendleton and Hudson’s Bay striped blankets – and we cozy up,” says Justin, adding, “And don’t forget your winter woollies. When the weather is changing, sometimes it’s less about what you add and more about what you put on in terms of clothing.”
Install a BBQ cover
If you’re like Colin & Justin, you enjoy the thrill of the grill year round. This is where an easy-to-build, Real Cedar BBQ Cover really earns its keep. Made from nature’s most resilient building material, this sturdy and beautiful structure is going to last you a very long time. Just think of all the cookout possibilities!
“We BBQ all the time,” says Colin, “So we got a cover. That way we don’t have to worry about weather.”
For free downloadable project plans, visit RealCedar.com or for more fast facts on building with Real Cedar, download their free DIY app – available on the Apple App Store for iOS and at Google Play for Android.
Aug
24
Upgrade your backyard with a DIY outdoor fireplace
August 24, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Upgrading an outdoor living area with a fireplace continues to grow in popularity at homes across the country according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. In fact, the latest Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey by the…
Aug
24
Upgrade your backyard with a DIY outdoor fireplace
August 24, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Upgrading an outdoor living area with a fireplace continues to grow in popularity at homes across the country according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. In fact, the latest Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey by the…
Aug
15
Simple ways to add curb appeal and character to your home
August 15, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Homes with great curb appeal not only make you the envy of every neighbor on your street and provide a great first impression for guests, but they also offer increased value and take less time to sell. There are many simple, quick and low-cost curb appeal improvements that you can tackle over the weekend, or even in a day, to give your home an inviting, uplifting spirit.
Add or repair a fence.
Make the most of your home’s appearance by considering the details. Looking for a quick way to spruce up your home’s exterior? Adding or repairing a fence to your property is a great value add with a relatively small investment.
In order to determine the perfect fence design for your home, you should first consider the end function you are most concerned with, such as curb appeal, protection from the elements or privacy. While building or repairing a fence can definitely be a DIY project that you tackle on your own, many homeowners struggle trying to ensure their fence gate is sag-free and square.
Before starting your project, visit the home improvement retailer near you to purchase a Homax EASYGATE No-Sag Gate Kit to reduce sagging and maintain use and longevity over time. The kit includes everything you’ll need to build a custom sized gate, add to a pre-fab gate application or repair a sagging gate.
According to Danny Lipford of Today’s Homeowner TV and radio shows, “A sagging gate can be an eyesore and dangerous, but fixing it can be a snap with Homax EASYGATE no-sag gate kit. The kit’s standard design works for any home or yard, and installation is incredibly easy because no Z-bracing or angled cuts are required.”
Emphasize your home’s best features.
Updating window and door trim is a great way to enhance your home’s look, style and personality. One simple update can be made by coordinating window trim paint color with your landscaping, window boxes or fence for an integrated look. Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to update and protect the exterior of your home, with many retailers offering paint under $30 per gallon.
The color of your home’s exterior features, such as fences and window boxes, should also be considered when choosing plants to landscape for added curb appeal. Mix things up and strive for four-season color. Additionally, be sure to group your plants so they have plenty of room to spread by researching how tall and wide the mature plants will be.
In addition to your fence and trim, your shutters are also an important exterior feature that contributes to curb appeal. When painting shutters, it is best to use a gloss or semi-gloss sheen to create a spectacular finish. If you want them to stand out, you can even consider painting them in a contrasting color; however, if you prefer they are subtle, paint them just a few shades darker than your house.
Park in style.
Your garage can be an area of both function and beauty, and it is a large surface that can potentially draw attention through color. Choose a garage door style that is most complementary to the architecture of your home, and accentuate it by choosing a color that complements all your exterior elements. One tip is to match your garage door with your home’s base color or front door color, especially if it’s a dominant part of the front facade.
You can also beautifully highlight the architectural beauty of your garage door by incorporating one of your home’s accent or trim colors for an additional point of interest. For an added pop of color, consider matching the garage door color with a subtler part of the exterior, such as your grout color or the darkest tones of your brick or stone.
Aug
12
5 ways to turn your deck from drab to fab
August 12, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Is your deck living up to its full potential? After a few years of wind, rain and general use, a deck might begin to lose its beauty, making it tough to relax on deck or entertain your friends and loved ones. Although it may seem like an overwhelming project to take on, restoring your deck to its former glory is probably much easier than you think. If you’re ready to enjoy your deck again, here are five ways you can turn it from drab to fab.
1. Clean before you dream.
Many decks can be restored to fab with a simple, routine cleaning. However, if you have a wood deck that’s been around for years, your boards are likely showing their age and it might be time for a total surface update. With many different materials to choose from, high-quality products that last – like ChoiceDek composite decking – can be a great alternative to wood. Many of these composite decking options can be easily cleaned with just soap, hot water and a soft bristle brush and have no need for annual painting, staining or sealing.
2. Make room for more.
Increasing the size of your deck can enhance its function and style. Extending the surface area into multiple levels creates unique vantage points into the rest of the yard and differentiates your space from the rest. If your deck feels too traditional, try adding some curves to its edges to personalize the space and fit your needs. Composite deck boards are easier to curve than wood boards, making them a great choice for that “outside of the lines” look you might be going for.
3. Beautify borders.
If you have recently finished a deck addition or are able to buy decking boards to match your current deck, you can add built-in seating and privacy structures to define the boards of your outdoor space and bring your personality into the design. Adding various plants to provide colors along the border of the deck can also bring an inviting feel to the space. While these changes might seem simple, they can make a big difference in the atmosphere of your deck space, turning it into a place of relaxation and privacy.
4. Lounge in style.
Sometimes the best way to bring life and character to your outdoor living space is to make it an extension of the interior of your home. Adding mood lighting or custom fabrics and patterns that match your interior design can easily transform your deck into an inviting space for guests to enjoy. Good lighting elements expand the use of your space by allowing the fun to last well into the evening hours, and outdoor furniture will keep you and your guests comfortable while you relax in style.
5. Brighten up the outdoors.
The design of an outdoor living space does not have to sacrifice style for function. When decorating the interior of a home, you look for warm and inviting features to bring life to a room, and the same care should be taken for the exterior. Let your creativity guide you by adding warm colored fabrics, accent pillows, comfy cushions and similar enhancements to your space. Outdoor furniture and décor can be used to turn your simple deck into a gorgeous outdoor room.
Aug
8
5 mosquito facts you should know
August 8, 2016 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – You could be inviting mosquitoes into your home and enticing them to bite, without even knowing it. Your body chemistry, what you wear, and seemingly harmless objects around your house can all make you more vulnerable to mosquito bites.The expe…