BackyardStyle Lawn, Garden and Pond » Outdoor Living and Garden Accents

Outdoor Fire Pits are Great for Summer Nights!

msuwriter — Fri, 20 May 2011 20:19:23 +0000

Summer is a wonderful time – time for swimming, barbeques, and fun with family and friends. Warm summer days are complimented by cool summer nights. What is better than spending these summer nights around an outdoor fire pit? It is a great way to get your family and friends together. Fire pits serve as a great topic of conversation and are a great focal point in your backyard. They are transportable, so you can frequently change up the look of your backyard.

Worried about the safety of an outdoor fire pit? Don’t be! While you do need to exercise some safety when you are around a fire pit, especially when children are involved, fire pits are created to be safe. They always come with a protective screen that contains the flames. Also be sure that you keep the fire pit at least 10 feet away from your horse. And keep it at least three feet away from any outdoor furniture. This does not include any benches that are made of the same material as the fire pit, because obviously they are flame resistant.

Fire pits can be made of a variety of materials, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. With all of the options for outdoor fire pits, it is easy to find one that matches your tastes. When you order a fire put, it will come disassembled, but all of the ones I have listed are easily assembled! Here are some great outdoor fire pits:

An outdoor fire pit made of steel is the CobraCo Mesh-Top Fire Pit w/ Benches, pictured to the right. When you purchase the fire pit, you will get two matching steel benches. The CobraCo Mesh-Top Fire Pit w/ Benches comes with a safety grate to contain the fire. It also comes with a vinyl cover that protects the fire pit, ensuring that it will last you a long time!

If you would rather a brick fire pit, check out the Brick Finish Fire Pit. There is a tall protective cover that allows you to easily watch the fire, without the risk of embers jumping out. The legs are made of iron and have a classic black finish. The Brick Finish Fire Pit is square shaped and is a great size at 30L x 30W x 20H inches. If you are interested in a circular fire pit, there is a simulated brick fire pit: the Copper Outdoor Brick Fireplace Pit. It comes with the protective screen cover.

Garden Gifts for a Special Valentine’s Day

WildBirds — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:11:33 +0000

This year think outside of the box when choosing your Valentine’s Day gifts for your loved ones. Garden gifts are not only unique gifts, but are lots of fun to get and make a great surprise. Your family members will appreciate your thoughtfulness and creativity at choosing a special, unique gift.

A beautiful, unique gift for any person who loves to take care of wild birds is the Hanging Birdbath with Mister by Zoobox International. This hanging birdbath is available in a variety of fun colors including red or bronze. The birdbath has a mister installed to gently hydrate the birds that visit your yard. Your loved one will have hours of enjoyment from this beautiful, hanging bird bath and watching the birds have fun bathing and drinking from the birdbath. It is great for attracting hummingbirds to your yard and the water flow from the mister is adjustable to suit the needs of the bathing birds.

The perfect chair for your loved ones to relax in is the Outback Chair Double Lounger. This air chair is great for relaxing in and enjoying some time spent with your loved one. It is especially made to fit two people comfortably and may be hung from your porch or a sturdy outdoor posts. It is also made of weather-resistant materials that give the chair a long life and it is available in two beautiful, muted colors that blend in well with nature.

Another great gift for anyone who enjoys the outdoors this Valentine’s Day is the Garrison Garden Fountain. This beautiful fountain looks great in any patio or garden area when placed outdoors. It may also be placed indoors to make any indoor room more relaxing and inviting. The fountain has an old world look and consists of three pots that the water flows into. Your loved one is sure to be surprised and delighted by this unique gift!

Indoor and Outdoor Thermometers that Liven Up Your Decor

WildBirds — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:19:55 +0000

Whether it is for indoor or outdoor use, these thermometers by Chaney are perfect for use all year long and take the guessing out of wondering what the temperature is indoors or outdoor. With so many fun designs to choose from, it is hard to choose just one, but no matter which one you choose, it is sure to add character to your indoor or outdoor decor.

For outdoor use, the Chaney 8 in. Farm Scene Suction Cup Thermometersmake a great thermometer. Each thermometer has a fun, country design and has suction cups for sticking to the window, which makes it very easy to install. You will always know the temperature outside and be prepared for any type of weather. These thermometers are made of weather resistant materials that won’t fade in the sunlight and will last for many years to come. The thermometer should be placed in a area that does not get direct sunlight for more accurate temperature readings.

A great thermometer for indoor use is the Bluebird Decorative Thermometer by Chaney. This beautiful thermometer has a picture of bluebirds created by acclaimed artist, James Hautman, who is known for his paintings hanging up in the White House. This thermometer can be placed anywhere in your home and looks great hanging up in a living room, kitchen, or office. An indoor thermometer is great for homes that have multiple levels and provides you with accurate indoor temperature information.

A classic indoor or outdoor thermometer for any upsale home is the Swing Arm Brass Thermometer also by Chaney. This stylish thermometer is made of weather-resistant brass and looks great with any decor. It is made with Accurite technology to accurately gauge the indoor or outdoor temperature. The swing arm is great for displaying on a corner wall and allows you to position the thermometer for better viewing.

Light Up the Winter Night Sky with a Solar Lawn Ornament

WildBirds — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:57:01 +0000

Keep your outdoor entry inviting for your family and guests this holiday season with a fun solar ornament. A solar ornament may be used year round in climates that don’t get too cold and is a fun way to enjoy the longer nighttime hours in addition to adding charm to your home. Solar ornaments should be placed in a sunny area during the day to absorb the sun’s energy for nighttime lighting. There are a variety of charming solar ornaments by Zoobox International that use no electricity and make a fun addition to your yard. All ornaments have a copper patina that instantly adds character to your outdoor living space and have an on/off switch that may run for up to eight hours at night. Your guests will love the look and these solar ornaments make great gifts during the holiday season for any homeowner or a special house-warming gift.

For bunny lovers, the Solar Reading Bunny Garden Ornament is a fun, solar ornament for anyone who has a fondness for bunnies or rabbits. This intellegent bunny wears glasses while reading a lighted book at night. Book illuminates at night to add a glow to your walkway or highlight a spot in your yard.
For the person who likes owls, the Solar Reading Owl Garden Ornament adds a touch of class to the front of your home. This smart owl also wears glasses and perches on a lighted book that illuminates at night.
If you enjoy collecting turtle ornaments, the Solar Reading Turtle Garden Ornament will make a great addition to your collection. This intelligent turtle stands while reading a solar book that illuminates at night and also wears reading glasses.
The Solar Reading Dog Lawn Ornament is perfect for any dog lover and consists of a cute dog that lays on a book that illuminates at night. This clever dog has reading glasses for an education look that you won’t be able to resist!

Warm Up Cool Fall Nights with a Fire Pit

WildBirds — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:47:56 +0000

Nothing is better in the fall, than sitting around a warm camp fire with your friends and family in the crisp fall air.Â Not only does a fire pit keep you warm and cozy in the great outdoors, it makes bonding with your friends and family even more enjoyable.Â In addition to bonding,Â a fire pitÂ allows you to enjoy the outdoors for a longer period of time.

One of my favorite fire pits for enjoying the cool fall nights is theÂ Round Bravo Backyard Fire PitÂ by Cobraco.Â This stylish fire pit has a cover that helps to keep your friends and family safe while enjoying the warmth of the fire.Â Remove the top to enjoy roasting marshmallows and more, whileÂ staying warm.Â The mesh screen provides great ventilation and makes cleaning the fire pit easy.Â The fire pit has a black finish that is durable and willÂ last for many years to come.Â Place a bench, deck chairs, or even tree stumps around this fire pit and enjoy!

For an elegant andÂ classicÂ look,Â Â theÂ Newport Outdoor Fire BowlÂ is a durable fire bowl that is sure to last you many years.Â This fire bowl looks great on a deckÂ surrounded byÂ your patio chairs.Â Use it to keep you and your family warm while having a conversation or an outdoor meal.Â This fire bowl runs on gas and has a push button ignition that makes it easy to ignite.Â It also is made of fire proof materials that are fire safe.Â Your family won’t want to go inside when this fire bowl is blazing.

Adding a fire pit to your outdoor living space, will not only add character and charm to your patio or deck, but itÂ will keep your family warm on those cool fall nights or anytime time you need some outdoor heating.Â Â You are sure to find several uses for your fire pit and will get many years of enjoyment.

Decorating a Small Yard

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

To some people, a small yard can be a detriment to your house. With careful planning, a small yard can be just as beautiful as a big yard and offer you just as much enjoyment. It also offers you the chance to pay attention to all the small details, which will make your small yard seem cozy and inviting.

The first step to decorating a small yard is to choose a main focal point for the yard. If you enjoy relaxing or dining outdoors, set up a small patio area with outdoor furniture. If you enjoy gardening, then make your main focal point of the yard a beautiful lush garden. Whether you choose a patio area or a garden area, create that space first and make sure that it fits in well within the size of your yard. Your visitors will be drawn to this area and you will get a lot of enjoyment from it for many years.

Once you have created the main focal point of your yard, work on adding interesting layers to give your yard an inviting and charming appeal. You may want to add a small water feature to add a relaxing sound or a variety of potted plants to add a lush greenery. Outdoor statues are great for instantly adding character and charm to any space. If you have a fenced in yard, dress up your fence with a fresh coat of paint or stain. For a finishing touch, you may want to add stepping stones to your little oasis and an arbor, such as the White Camelot Arbor, at the opening of your yard.

By decorating your small yard and adding character, you will create a little oasis next to your very own home that requires no travel time. Small yards can be just as wonderful and beautiful as a big yard and offer you the opportunity to be creative and focus on all the little details.

Economical Ways to Improve the Appearance of Your Home

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

If you are planning to stay in your home or you want to put it up for sale, there are many, simple ways to help improve your home’s curb appeal without spending a lot of money. Two of these ways are to add outdoor lighting and outdoor potted flower arrangements. By installing lighting around various objects in your yard to highlight a walkway or driveway, it instantly increase your home’s attractiveness and curb appeal. Another way to economically add curb appeal to your yard is to display potted flower arrangements on a porch, patio, or even in a garden area.

There are many ways to add light to your yard or garden this summer without spending a lot of money. Adding a simple light to spotlight a tree, shrub, patio, walkway, driveway, or flowerbed is great for adding curb appeal and creating an inviting outdoor atmosphere. The Gardman Solar Post Lights are perfect for spotlighting any area or corner of your yard. These modern post lights are simple to install and look great for many years.

A potted flower arrangement is also great for instant curb appeal and may be placed anywhere to brighten up the spot. Potted flower arrangements are easily portable and do not cost much to create. Choose neutral pots like the Villa Pots Faux Italian Pottery to enhance the color of your home and plant vibrant and fragrant flowers. This greatly improves the outward appearance of your home, creates an inviting appearance to guests and prospective buyers, and is very simple and economical to do.

Whether you are staying or selling your home, it pays to look for economical ways to improve its appearance. Two simple and cost-effective ways are to add lighting and potted flower arrangements. You’ll love the light and if you have to leave your home, they are very portable. Check out these items and more at Backyard Style.

Create an Outdoor Living Space in Your Own Backyard

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Your backyard can be the perfect spot for creating a beautiful, outdoor living space for your family to enjoy for many years. Adding an outdoor living space creates extra rooms to live in. Here are some things to consider when creating and planning an outdoor living space:

1. Pick a spot in your yard as a starting point and start designing the layout. Once you get started on creating the space, you won’t want to stop. A shady spot is perfect for long, hot summer days or choose a sunny spot for relaxing in the sun. Whatever you choose, make sure that you will be comfortable in that location.

2. Once you have chosen a spot for the room, draw a picture of how you want to layout your space. It is easy to make changes in the planning stage and great to see how the space will look on paper.

3. Start with the ground up. It is a good idea to add some type of outdoor flooring, whether it is stone, mulch or another type of outdoor flooring material. You may also want to use a carpet of grass or other ground cover that will be soft on the feet.

4. Once you have installed the flooring, think about adding walls and a ceiling. Hedges, fencing, and screens make great natural walls. For a ceiling, pergolas, umbrellas, tree canopies, and offer protection from the sun and interest.

5. Next, add large pieces of furniture and place it within the space. Smaller pieces of furniture can be layered in for character. You may also want to add an outdoor fireplace for cool summer nights.

6. Lastly, add in accessories, lighting, plants, and flowers to add beauty and nature. These small touches help to personalize your space.

This summer enjoy your yard even more by creating an outdoor living space. Check out Backyard Style for everything you need to improve your yard!

Patio Options – Pebble Tile / Versa Tile

admin — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Strata Stones should be one of your stops when looking installing or remodeling your patio or pool this spring. Strata features Natural Indian sandstones and various landscaping products like pebbles, handcut-riven flagstones and cobbles. They also provide slate, Quartzite, limestone, granite and marble.

Renowned for its approach to stone, StrataStones has been credited with introducing many new fashions and finishes into the market over the years.

They been involved with many major products throughout the UK, Europe, North America and Asia providing clients with a comprehensive and product range that is second to none. These pebble tiles are designed for both interior and exterior applications. The natural stones come in many shapes and colors to match the decor of your home or office.

Strata Stones Features

Each of the above in a variety of colors and sizes

Also – make sure you review Versa Tiles which are very popular and affordable patio tiles. Resin Versa Tiles allow for expansion and contraction. An attractive and affordable alternative meant to compliment any backyard ~ for a lifetime.

Patios
Barbecue pads
Sidewalks / walkways
Stepping stones
Pool equipment pads
Hot Tub/ Spa pads
Garden equipment pads
AC pads & more

100% natural Coco Doormats

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0000

100% natural Coco Doormats are environment friendly and are made from handpicked absorbent coconut husk fibers which are densely woven to trap dirt and moisture, thoroughly removing soil, sand and snow from footwear.

The correct name for coconut husk fibers is Coir. Coir fibers are found between the husk and the outer shell of a coconut. The mats that BackyardStyle carries are made of the coir fibers from fully ripened coconuts. Other typical uses include brushes and sacking. The coir fibre is elastic enough to twist without breaking and it holds a curl as though permanently waved.

No matter what type of mat you have, periodically shake it out to remove small pebbles, stones and loose dirt or sand. These materials can become an issue when wet if they are allowed to accumulate inside the mat material for any length of time. This should only take a moment, and is an important step in keeping outdoor mats clean.

Mat’s don’t necessarily need to be used ONLY at the door. Below are some great ideas for doormat locations.

Children’s play area. Prevent mud from being tracked all over by placing door mats in strategic places, such as at the bottom of stairs that are going up to a slide or under the swings where mud can be a problem.
At the entrance to Outdoor sheds. If you have a gardening shed, greenhouse or just a small place that holds the lawnmower and a few tools outside, tossing a mat in the room can be a help in keeping shoes free from mud and stones.
Doghouse entrance. If your dog goes in and out of his doghouse, putting a mat in front of the door can not only be charming but practical as well.
The back of the car, or floor in the back seat. Protect the vehicle from muddy shoes or sports cleats and give yourself a little peace of mind.