(ARA) – Sprucing up outdoor spaces doesn’t have to cost a lot to create a big impact. Rather than buying new, consider refreshing or upgrading furnishings, equipment and features you already have. You will save some green and give new life to items that might otherwise wind up in the trash – and ultimately in the landfill. Here are some summer spruce-up ideas: Continue reading
For the first time in eight years, color specialist and source Pantone LLC has amped up its Pantone Fashion + Home color system by adding 175 new colors, bringing the total to 2,100 shades. Continue reading
(ARA) – Summer is the season of relaxation for many, but it’s easy to become lazy on your mission to better health. Plenty of temptations can negatively affect your well being, but with the right tools, you can treat yourself to good health and good times. Continue reading
(ARA) – The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and your grill is calling to you. It’s that time of year when you can’t wait to entertain outdoors. If you’re stuck in a rut, though, or aren’t sure how to up the wow factor for your backyard soiree, here are some tips. Continue reading
Squirrels are one of nature’s cute little creatures, but they can also be a nuisance. When they aren’t out collecting acorns or playing in traffic, they are often at “home” in their nests, or dreys. These nests are made out of twigs and leaves and lined with fur, feathers, or other soft materials. Sometimes the squirrels can find these materials naturally in nature but when they can’t, your outdoor cushion filling makes a great source of fiber for their nests. And in the process, they will destroy your expensive outdoor furniture. Continue reading
(ARA) – As the weather warms and the days grow longer, who doesn’t happily anticipate opening windows and doors to let the fresh air in? And once we think about bringing the outdoors in, our imagination naturally goes the other way, as well – bringing the indoors out. It seems that our love affair with backyard entertaining heats up around this time every year. Whether it’s a quiet family meal under the stars or a backyard barbecue for dozens, the appeal of outdoor living is undeniable. Continue reading
More and more people are installing salt water pools in their backyard or they are converting their chlorine pool over to salt water. Many people say that salt water pools feel softer than traditionally chlorinated pools and are easier to maintain. This may be true, but they can cause additional wear and tear on your outdoor furniture and this may not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
For those of you not familiar with the mechanics of a salt-water pool; here is a little bit of education. The builder installs an electrical device called a chlorine generator by the filter equipment. Salt is added to the water. Then, the generator converts the salt into its two basic components, sodium and chlorine. From there, the chlorine keeps the pool bacteria free just as if pool had a more traditional chlorinator installed. In most cases, salt is added directly to the pool which turns the entire pool into a salt-water pool. However, there are some systems where the salt is added to a small reservoir attached to the chlorine generator. The pool water is circulated through the reservoir and immediately goes into the converter. This process puts less salt in the pool. Continue reading
The outdoor party season is here! I mentioned in my last post that we just received our spring tableware collections in six different color pallets. They are Tuscany Red, Mediterranean Gold, Classic Brown, Garden Party (Spa Blue & Brown), Palm Green, and Metropolitan Black.
Try purchasing your outdoor tableware to coordinate with the cushions, slings, and umbrellas that are going to live in the space day to day. Then accent with different colors depending on what theme you want to create with inexpensive accessories. One week you may have a Mothers day gathering with family, and two weeks later, you may have friends over for Memorial Day weekend. Continue reading
Outdoor performance fabric makers and casual furniture retailers are looking to mood-lifting bright colors, novelty yarns, decorative accessories and a slowly rebounding economy as key signs of life for the industry.
“We see colors for the casual industry continuing to be cheerful, brighter, but not garish,” said Howard Ebert, sales manager at Swavelle/Mill Creek. “Times have been tough for the entire country the last two years and we’re slowly coming out of it. The colors are bright, but they are all done in good taste. We’re seeing blues, yellows and even blacks-and-whites, but in a stunning, eye-popping way. There are also tangerines, mango and spices … but all happy colors.” Continue reading
