ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Lakeside Patios ? The Water Makes Decisions For You
If you are putting in a new patio on a lakeside, you have unique considerations that other homeowners do not have when it comes to purchasing patio furniture. We built a new patio on a 700 acre lake and I had to look around for just the right outdoor furniture. It can get very windy on the lake so you don't want furniture that will blow right into the water. That leaves out PVC, plastic, lightweight aluminum etc. My choices were wrought iron, or any of the hardwoods. Our lake is located in the North woods so I thought wrought iron would be too fancy. The look of scrolled wrought iron did not match our wide timber stairway leading down to the lake and patio. The timber stairs and trim are rustic cedar that fits our setting perfectly. Wrought iron would be lovely in a urban or suburban setting or backyard, but it just didn't match our house. I don't think wrought iron is very comfortable and not good for lounging on a lazy weekend. We entertain a lot and I wanted furniture that people would feel comfortable to sit around in and relax while enjoying the action on the water. Seat cushions were going to be apart of whatever furniture I picked out so I needed cushions that had ties so the wind wouldn't send them into the lake. You'd be surprised how many cushions out there do not have ties. I also needed fabric that would resist the elements such as a Sunbrella fabric. These cushions are quite exposed to wind and rain so the choice of Sunbrella was perfect for our setting. There is new technology out there in the marine fabric industry, but right now Sunbrella is one of the best when it comes to outdoor fabric. I narrowed my search to cedarwood because we like Adirondack styled furniture and it fits our location perfectly. The heavy furniture won't move in the wind and it is extremely comfortable. We elected for a cedar glider too because I can remember being on a glider when I was a kid and it was so much fun. I wanted that feeling again while sitting on my patio. The natural color of cedar is warm and inviting. We may need to refinish it every few years, but that's the price of owning wood. Our patio is not large, so we don't have room for a large table and chairs, but it is just the right size for a bistro set. The small table and two chairs work well for us because we don't have a huge family and many summer nights are enjoyed at lakeside while eating dinner. I needed a little extra seating without a lot more chairs so I elected to purchase an old antique tool chest that looks worn but is in great shape. I use it as a bench and also for a table for appetizers and cocktails. Think outside the norm when it comes to accessorizing the outdoors. You don't need to have fancy things, just add something unusual. Our 20" copper fire pit completes the setting with pots of annuals adding the beauty and color. We elected to put in copper lighting so the whole theme of the patio is in warm tones of copper that blends well with cedarwood. I did not install the kitchen at this time, that's next year's project. I already have the refrigerator in the boathouse so I do have a head start on my outdoor kitchen. We will need a new gas grill and some counters installed. We already have a large fire pit next to the boathouse that we use for utilitarian burning or leaves and branches for spring and fall cleanup. I would love an outdoor fireplace, but there isn't enough room. I guess I can't have everything. We had to really plan ahead when it came to our patio, not only for the furniture selection, but we are on somewhat of a hill and this too makes a difference while building the patio. I didn't want to terrace the whole hill because it would have looked like a solid row of timbers. Not soft enough for me. I wanted perennials around the lake and I got a head start on transplanting some of what I already owned. Perennials can be quite expensive, but they certainly are worth the money. I don't want to spend my summers planting flowers. I want them to come up on their own year after year and that is exactly what will happen. Landscaping is not my fast ball but I certainly had fun in the planning stages. I just had to get in there and do it. No rocket science here, just treat your hill as a large canvas and start painting. I filled in the background with hosta and the center focal point is hydrangeas. I also have a combination of lily of the valley, ajuga, mother of thyme, sedum, ferns, day lilies and more. It's a showplace if I say so myself. There is still much to do and I will move a few things next fall. If you are planning that outdoor patio by pool or lakeside, consider the weight of your furniture and how it will hold up to the elements. Consider comfort and how you like to entertain. Let the water make your selections for you; just make your patio a complete outdoor room and a place you will enjoy for years to come. Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying gas grills, above ground pools, patio furniture, picnic tables, outdoor kitchens and more. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions. Her many articles can be found at http://www.patio-furniture-4u.com
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Helpful Kitchen Remodeling Ideas Functionality and aesthetics are the two main objectives of any kitchen remodeling plan. A kitchen must provide an efficient working place, even while it looks good. Making a Pen with Your New Wood Lathe So you just purchased a wood lathe but do not know what kind of project you should start out with. As soon as the right amount of skill is obtained, beautiful pieces of woodwork can be created with a wood lathe. However, before you get too over your head, it is best to start out with a basic woodturning project. My recommendation would be beginning by carving your very own pen. How To Choose Wall Mount Outdoor Mailboxes Sturdy wallmount outdoor mailboxes are no longer available in just standard sizes and colors. You can find a wide assortment of wall mount outdoor mailboxes for the outside of your home in many colors, textures, and materials. You may want to choose a neutral color that blends in with the exterior of your home or a bold, colorful mailbox that gives just the right amount of contrast. Wall mount outdoor mailboxes are constructed of high quality materials and are durable enough to retain their beauty through many seasons of harsh weather. Sparkling, Clean Lighting Will Add The Perfect Touch To Your Home When one thinks of the many factors that affect the look of a room, most people think only of the paint and furniture. In doing so, they overlook the most important factor: Lighting. Planning Kitchen Remodeling Planning kitchen remodeling If you are planning to remodel your kitchen then various aspects need to be considered before you begin. Given below is a series of steps and guides you can keep in mind to make kitchen remodeling a fun-filled, constructive event. Design Psychology: Beds and Emotional Well-Being The bed represents the beginning and ending of life. In the past, people were conceived, born, and died in the same bed. You spend more time in your bed than on any other piece of furniture. Design Psychology offers new bedroom makeover ideas concerning your bed for supporting your emotional well-being. Window Shutters On A Budget While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives ? including poly or vinyl shutters ? are less expensive but also much less attractive. For a high-quality solution at a lower cost, look for a company that sells individual solid wood shutter panels that can be installed in any configuration. Why Cant We Kill Too? Why does big business have all the fun? We fix our own postage stamps - THEY use a franking machine. We use scissors - THEY use a guillotine. We put our papers in the bottom drawer while THEY have a filing cabinet. And it has only been in recent times that you can get a car that plays a tune when reversing, just like those big lorries. Beautiful, Sparkling Chandeliers! If you want to add extra spark to rooms, consider adding chandeliers to the rooms. Chandeliers offer added elegance and charm as well as light. There are many to choose from and these can be custom made as well. A popular choice is the crystal chandelier. This beautiful piece of art is a great piece to add to a home. Bathroom Magic Believe it or not, the bathroom is one of the most magickal rooms in your house; Your make up box and medicine chest can be treasure chest of tools , the bathtub and shower are wonderful place to conduct cleansing and attraction rituals, and the toilet can be a handy mechanism for flushing away negativity. Warm Up the Night! Patio Heaters and Fire Pits In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for sitting outside in the evening -- the bugs have gone and the sky is clear -- but the nights are chilly. Don't let the cool evenings send you inside -- extend your outdoor living season by heating your deck or patio. What Are Light Fixtures Used For? Light fixtures are something not many of us think about. But, the way we light a room can cause us to feel a certain way or enhance what we want to accomplish in that room. There are many types of light fixtures for all areas of the home and even outdoor lighting fixtures for landscaping designs. Tips for Designing with Hardwood Floors Hardwood floor styles come in strips, planks and parquet, and are available with numerous edge treatments such as square, micro, and beveled edges. The state-of-the-art technology and almost limitless choices of today's stains, finishes, styles and designs makes hardwood flooring one of the most practical and versatile floor coverings available. What Are The Benefits of Radiant Heating: How Do They Compare With Other Heating Applications Some of the benefits of radiant heat Get Rid Of Air Pollution In Your Home With House Plants Do you know that formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas can cause severe health effects to us? Sources of formaldehyde are:- environmental tobacco smoke and combustion sources (burning wood, kerosene and by automobiles) preservatives in some paints, cosmetics and coating finish used to coat paper products pressed wood products and furniture made with these pressed wood products certain insulation materials such as urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and fiberglass insulation durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues. Refrigerators Electric Consumption - Lower It In 15 Minutes I recently had a customer ask for my advise about cleaning her refrigerator. What Are Circuit Breakers? Circuit Breakers are devices that stop the electrical current of a circuit in the event of excess or very high voltage. Circuit breakers are handy, not only because they can protect against electrical fires but also because they can be reset. When a fuse blows out, it must be replaced each time, whereas circuit breakers are easily reset when tripped. Three Great Concepts for Remodeling a Master Bedroom Since it's one of the places people spend the most time, one of the most satisfying home makeovers is the main bedroom. Here are three ideas for creating a dynamic new main bedroom space: Planning Permission Tips UK - Off Road Car Parking - What Value - Do You Need to Apply for Planning Isn't it a shame that for most folk, taking a holiday means moving en-mass with millions of other people also doing the same thing! Long journeys, loads of bodies at airports & long traffic queues in humid conditions - why do we do it? A Carefully Planned Outdoor Kitchen is Worth the Investment Do you have any idea how popular outdoor kitchens are becoming? We spend more time at home than ever before and we are fixing up those homes instead of buying new. Homeowners are opting for an outdoor kitchen over other types of remodeling projects because they extend the size of their living space. If they are spending more time at home, they are definitely entertaining more as well. Partying alfresco is a hot new trend because it is so relaxed and casual and it is less wear and tear on the house itself. Keep the guests outside as much as possible so you will have less clean up indoors.
|
|
|
|
|
