Backyard Fun, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

One Hot Solution for Summer Staycations

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Thanks to record-high fuel prices, many families are choosing to vacation at home this summer rather than spend hard-earned cash filling up the gas tank.  One of the most popular additions homeowners are bringing to their backyards to create an at-home vacation experience is a fire ring.

Fire RingFire rings are generally constructed of durable cast iron, and the most appealing ones come apart panel by panel so they can be stored away easily or transported from backyard to campsite.  A fire ring brings warmth to any outdoor setting, and it invites gatherings of friends and family to cozy up for marshmallow roasting, song singing, and story telling.  Some fire rings even come equipped with a cooking grate on which you can roast campfire fare like hot dogs, burgers, and potatoes.

Vacations at home don’t require much work or preparation, and they go a long way toward saving homeowners money.  Fire rings offer one solution for creating a summer “staycation” that’s affordable and memorable.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Outdoor Living Spaces

Arboria Eucalyptus Furniture – The New Way to Enjoy Outdoor Luxury!

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Eucalyptus Outdoor Dining Set
Eucalyptus wood is quickly becoming a leader in the patio furniture industry. There are so many reasons to choose Eucalyptus, especially the beautiful new Arboria Eucalyptus Wood Furniture line. The wood used in this furniture is plantation grown to prevent the destruction of precious forests. When grown and sourced correctly, this wood is one of the most sustainable materials available. Arboria is proudly certified by the Forest Stewardship Council®. This certification is the mark of credibility and assurance that reflects commitment to the environment.

In addition to the company and wood being environmentally responsible, the furniture is also strong and durable. Eucalyptus ranks very highly compared to other hardwood furniture in strength tests and had durability of up to 15 years, even when untreated! The Arboria collection comes pre-treated with linseed oil for a beautiful color and great conditioning right out of the box. With continued conditioning over the years, your furniture will remain beautiful for decades! With chairs, tables, rocking chairs, benches, and more, you will find exactly what you are looking for: gorgeous, durable hardwood furniture from renewable source!
Eucalyptus Adirondack ChairEucalyptus Outdoor TableEucalyptus Porch RockerEucalyptus Garden Bench

Backyard Fun, Innovative Solutions, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

A Fresh Air Idea for TV Lovers

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Outdoor Television

Whether you are a sports fan, reality show junkie, or avid news watcher, staying on top of the latest details can be a challenge when you also want to spend time outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather.  More and more, homeowners are choosing to bring their passion for television and the outdoors together by bringing the TV outside.

Standard televisions and rain, sun, and humidity don’t mix, but TVs specifically designed for outdoor use can take all that nature has to offer.  Outdoor TVs can handle temperatures of over 100 degrees and below -20 degrees.  They have a watertight design, which means you can place the TV on a deck, patio, or poolside.  And, outdoor TVs have an anti-glare, scratch-resistant screen so watching one is no problem on a bright and sunny day.  Outdoor televisions can sit on a table or be mounted on a wall, from a ceiling, or on a deck planter pole, making them a versatile and space-saving addition to any outdoor area.

No matter what you like to watch on the television, you can continue to do so while benefitting from fresh air and sunshine.  Outdoor TVs make it easy to host outdoor parties for popular sporting events or movie-themed birthdays, but they also offer individuals and families a refreshing new way to watch favorite shows.

Backyard Fun, Holidays & Gift Ideas, Outdoor Entertaining, Outdoor Living Spaces

Unconventional Wedding Gifts for Royals and the Rest of Us!

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Wedding Bands
Do you have royal wedding fever? Unless you are living under a rock, you know that England’s Prince William married his long time girlfriend Catherine Middleton today. The world was mesmerized by the magical event, focusing on everything from the vows to bridal fashion to the guests’ hats, which were pretty impressive. If you had been able to score an exclusive invite to the prestigious and historic event, what could you possible get a royal couple that has everything? Royalty often receives priceless jewels, shares of stock worth millions, generous donations to their favorite charities, and even a race horse (from the Aga Khan to Elizabeth II on her wedding day in 1947). Choosing a gift for the couple that has everything can be tough, even if they aren’t royals! Below is a list of nontraditional wedding gift ideas any bride and groom on their big day.

  • Charitable Donations: Follow Kate and Williams lead! Ask the couple which causes they support and make a donation in their honor. This gift will be sure to please the couple and help other people and organizations in need. Everyone wins!
  • Museum or Local Attraction Memberships: Does the couple enjoy art and culture? Do they attend concert or plays often? Consider getting them a year long membership to an organization that they will love. Animal lovers might love a year round pass to the local zoo. Theater buffs will certainly enjoy a season of tickets at the local playhouse. Art lovers? The local museum. The options here are limitless. If you know the couple’s hobbies, you can certainly find a membership in their area to fit.
  • Patio Furniture and other outdoor living items: Many guests will bring plates, silverware, and household items. Maybe you should shift gears and look for something for the outside of their home. Patio furniture is something that most couples will enjoy, but might not think about when registering. They will certainly be able to enjoy your gift for many years to come, when cash and gift cards have long been used. Outdoor fireplaces are both luxurious and practical. They are a great addition to any new home. Outdoor grills will give the couple a fun alternative to indoor cooking and will surely get you invited over for future cookouts! Fountains, statues, and water features might also be perfect for your friends or family getting married.
  • Anything Personalized: Anything personalized, including a custom painting from portrait of the couple, monogrammed bath robes, and framed photo collages will show the couple that you avoided the traditional generic gifts. If you pick something especially for them, they will recognize the love and thought that went into choosing a gift for their special day.

Did you receive any unusual or unique wedding gifts on your big day? Have you given a wedding gift that was different, but wonderful?

Wedding Gifts

Garden Tools & Tips

Selling Your Home? Draw Them In with Curb Appeal

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Spice Up the Curb Appeal

Attempting to sell a home in today’s challenging market can be as much fun as running over your toe with the car.  Half of the battle, it seems, is just getting potential buyers through the front door.  The inside of your home, you insist, is in move-in condition and has the most updated of everything.  Attracting more house shoppers, though, may depend more on how the home looks on the outside.  At least initially.

Spice up a home’s curb appeal, and you could very well turn home buyers who are just passing by into home buyers who actually stop to take a closer look.  Curb appeal doesn’t need to cost a lot of money, either.  To make your home’s exterior more inviting, pay attention to the following details:

  • Neat and Tidy — Take the time every day or so to tidy up your outdoor space.  Put away trash cans in a neat corner, pick up any stray garbage blown in by the breeze, remind the kids to store their toys away when they’re done playing, sweep off your front door step.  People are more likely to notice what’s wrong before they admire what’s right, so put away or clean up anything that takes away from the appearance of the home.
  • Colorful Gardens — Purchase some colorful and inexpensive annuals at your local garden center, and Garden Planter plant them in your front garden to add a punch of vibrancy.  While you’re at it, remove weeds that may be growing wild, and rake any old leaves and garden debris from the beds.  Top it all off with some fresh mulch, and you’ll have an attractive focal point rather than a weedy and unkempt garden mess.  Don’t have front garden beds?  Plant your flowers in an attractive garden planter or container, and place it on the front porch to produce the same inviting effect.
  • Front Door Impressions — Freshen your front door by adding a new coat of paint.  Whether you choose the same color or attempt a different one, a coat of paint can do wonders to spruce up a front door.  Once the paint is dry, hang a decorative, seasonal wreath to welcome your visitors.

No matter how good your home looks on the inside, you won’t get much interest from home buyers if the home’s outside doesn’t show the same amount of care and attention to detail.  Making a little effort to improve a home’s curb appeal may be all that’s needed to draw potential buyers into the front door.