If your home is made of stone, you may opt for a patio that is
a continuation of the stone look, but this also works well with
a wood frame or brick home. Patios work best in yards that
are level, while a deck can be placed pretty much anywhere,
including a hilly or uneven lawn.
According to Marci Buckiso of The Fireplace and Patioplace,
a local expert in furnishing outdoor living spaces, homeowners
are especially keen to add fire features to their outdoor area,
which function as a gathering point for both family and guests.
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces not only add physical
warmth and beauty, but emotional warmth as well.
Contemporary homeowners are opting for very modern
linear gas fireplaces, with smooth, clean lines to mirror the style
of their home.
“For those homeowners who don’t have the space for a
traditional fireplace, fire pits make a great feature, creating a
beautiful flame that glows through crystal rock,” says Buckiso.
And they’re available in three different heights, with a lower
coffee-table height, dining table and bar height. The homeowner
also has the option of selecting wood- or gas-burning fire pits.
OUTDOOR KITCHEN SPLENDOR
When the summer heats up, the prospect of slow-cooking
a roast or searing some ribs is just not as appealing when you
know it’s going to heat up your house and drive up your air-
conditioning bill. Take a tip from our pioneer ancestors who
baked their bread and cooked their meats outdoors in the
summer to maintain a cool house. This simple idea can really
help keep your home cool during the dog days of summer, while
saving you money on energy costs.
With an outdoor oven and grill, barbeques can be a
spontaneous dinner idea, rather than a major
event that must be planned days in
advance. The grilling process
gives steaks, chicken, fish
and pork a wonderful
smoked flavor, while
reducing the overall fat
content.
And it’s not just
meats that can benefit
from grilling. Bell
peppers, onions,
zucchini and tons of
other vegetables take on
a wonderful flavor when
tossed lightly with olive oil,
wrapped in foil and cooked on
a grill.
With an outdoor kitchen, grilling is not just for summer either.
With a covering for rainy days and outdoor heating available,
it can be used virtually year-round. Although just a simple
oven and grill can change the way you live, a sink with running
water and an added fridge can really make cooking outdoors
convenient.
For entertaining, the outdoor kitchen offers a way to spend
time with your guests while preparing the meal. There’s also an
entire line of in-ground sound equipment and specially made
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outdoor TVs. The televisions are completely waterproof and
three times as bright as a normal TV, so they can be viewed even
in strong direct sunlight.
IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME
OFFICE
Are you one of those lucky individuals able to work from
home? The world just seems like a nicer place when you’re
dressed in your pajamas, doesn’t it? But work is still work. You
need a place that’s organized, designed well, and in which you feel
comfortable. Chances are, you may also need a degree of privacy
to do your best work.
One of the most overlooked factors in productivity is lighting.
Many studies demonstrate that natural lighting is best whenever
possible, and results in more productivity among workers and
a more positive attitude toward the work itself. Lighting can
have a profound effect on your mood and can even influence
your hormones. A good overview of this subject is provided by
Andrew Jensen, a business growth, efficiency and marketing
consultant, at AndrewJensen.net.
If placing your home office in an area with windows is not
possible, try the soft lighting of a lamp instead, and try to avoid
harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or two, along with a
picture of the outdoors, will help transform a windowless area
into a more inviting space. Warm colors such as reds, yellows and
orange will also help warm up an otherwise dark office area such
as a basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your workspace with cabinetry
where office supplies and files can be tucked neatly out of sight.
Shelving that is custom-designed for the way you work can
transform even a tiny space into an efficient work area. Having
cabinets and shelves that are suited to your exact purpose will
eliminate a great deal of frustration and overwhelming feelings of
disorganization. A designer and expert carpenter can help you get
the most from your workspace.
Just because you don’t have an entire room in your house
to dedicate to your home office doesn’t mean you can’t have a
dedicated workspace. Even a closet can be transformed into a
workspace with the right planning, and the whole office can be
put away at day’s end by simply closing the closet door.