Author: Trey Collier

About Trey Collier

Avid Do-It-Yourself-er. Love's being outdoors. Helped push the shade sail market into one of the fastest growing outdoor shade structures product in North America.

Make Your Garden Beautiful While Making a Difference

Cedar Fence PlanterCedar Storage BoxCedar Dollies

Cedar accessories can make a beautiful statement in your garden while serving a sturdy and long-lasting function. Beautiful cedar planter boxes are perfect for people with limited space who want to grow delicious fruits, vegetable, and herbs. Because cedar is naturally weather and insect resistant, the planters will last for many years to come. Cedar plant dollies have casters that make them a perfect solution for moving heavy plants or providing versatile plant stands. They offer stylish and functional support for a little price. If additional storage space is your goal, cedar storage boxes make the perfect place to keep all of your lawn and garden tools, garden hoses, or whatever else you have in mind. The beautiful red wood color will no only give you stylish design, it will also last for many years to come.

The best part about the products mentioned above is the source from which they come. Cedar Creek Illinois, Inc, or CCI, is a subsidiary of Knox County Council for Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (www.kccdd.com). CCI specializes in work and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This wonderful program allows the disabled to become self-supporting citizens who can contribute their talents, skills and labor to the communities in which they live. All of the fine cedar products listed above were made in the United States by disabled Americans working through this company. Your purchase not only gives you a beautiful addition to porch, patio, or garden; it also gives someone a chance at employment that they might have never gotten otherwise. What could be better than that?

Green Energy – For the Planet AND the Pocketbook

Energy Saving Green Logo
“Going Green” is a trend that is gaining momentum every year and has become a lifestyle choice for many Americans. Not only does it allow you to do your part in conserving our precious resources, but it can also save you hundreds of dollars a year in utility costs. Making small changes can yield huge differences. Replacing just one regular light bulb in your home with an energy-efficient light bulb will reduce that outlet’s energy consumption by 75% and save you up to $40 a year! Imagine the difference that you can make if you replace all of the bulbs in your home. Another important energy-saving tip is to make sure that your doors and window are properly sealed. Drafts and broken seals can waste hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling cost and waste unnecessary energy. You will also want to make sure that you are using energy-efficient appliances. Seventeen percent of your household energy is spent on large appliance operation (refrigerators, clothes washer and dryers, and dishwashers). If you are not using an EnergyStar certified appliance, consider upgrading. It will save you money in the long run.

Solar power is also a great way to save energy in and around your home. If you are not ready to install solar panels on your roof and rely solely on the sun, you can still implement small uses of solar power around your home. Consider using Chinese Solar Lanterns or Umbrella Solar Lanterns at you next outdoor party instead of traditional lighting sources. Add solar powered path lights to your driveway or sidewalk. Consider investing in solar swimming pool heaters in place of traditional heat sources for your pool.

Green power is here to stay. More and more people are realizing that making these small, but powerful, changes are a necessary step toward protecting our plant AND our pocketbooks. Start making your home energy-efficient today and you reap the benefits for many years to come.

Chinese Solar LanternsUmbrella Solar Lanterns

Source: US Department of Energy (http://www.energysavers.gov)

Snap and Grow Greenhouses Get Spring Started in One Day!

Greenhouse Kit
The first day of spring is just over a week away. With spring comes milder weather, lots of sunshine, and plants in full bloom. If you are a gardener, now is the time to get a jump-start on the spring growing season with a greenhouse. If you are ready to get started right away, I have the perfect solution. A Snap & Grow Greenhouse offers a beautiful, function greenhouse that offers easy assembly that can be completed in just one day. Very little hardware is needed to set up this 8×8 greenhouse because of the patented Smartlockā„¢ connector system. The window and door are delivered pre-assembled and the clear panels slide and lock easily into place. Large split doors and an adjustable roof vent (both pictured below) provide the perfect amount of ventilation for your precious plants and can be adjusted as needed. Many options allow you to customize the greenhouse kit to make it perfect for your needs. Plant clips are available for your hanging potted plants. Large shelving units can be added to create extra work space. You can even add extensions to your greenhouse as your plant output grows. If you are looking for something slightly smaller, there is also a 6 x 8 Snap & Grow Greenhouse kit that has all the same great features of the larger version. Happy gardening!

 

Roof VentsSplit Door

 

 

South Beach Rugs Add Elegance to Outdoors

South Beach Rug - Parrot
If you are looking for the perfect outdoor rug to add style and class to your porch, patio, outdoor room, or pool side, I have a lovely suggestion. South Beach outdoor rugs are classically beautiful and can stand up to any and everything that the environment offers. Sunlight and fade resistant, it is perfect for all outdoor areas. You can even use it on high traffic indoor areas! It is beautiful enough to use anywhere in or around your home. Spills wipe away easily with a damp cloth and warm water. South Beach rugs are available in rectangular and runner shapes and a variety of sizes and Sunbrella border patterns. They are custom-made to order so your rug will be one of a kind! Aren’t you ready to add some sophistication to your outdoor area?

South Beach Rug - Black (weave closeup)

Weave Close up

Portable Shade for Families on the Go!


Umbrellas offer outstanding shade and protection to your family at home, but they are not exactly portable. Normally, the thought of dragging a heavy umbrella around on family outings does not seem possible. You also have the added dilemma of finding somewhere to support the umbrella. The perfect portable shade solution is here! Take the shade with you with the Auto-Mo-Brella. It is extremely easy to attach to your car, truck, or SUV’s hitch and will be covering you in seconds! The Auto-Mo-Brella is perfect for camping, tailgate parties, trips to the park or the beach, sporting events, or anywhere else that your adventures take you.