Search Results for: blog outdoor living spaces

Cleaning Your Outdoor Living Space

Patios and decks are no longer considered as such. Rather, these days they are referred to as “outdoor living spaces.” In some cases the term is warranted, especially if your patio is rocking a $25,000 built-in fire pit and a full kitchen complete with mini fridge, gas grill and marble countertops. Regardless of whether your outdoor entertaining space is filled with fancy furniture or simple white plastic patio chairs, it needs to be cleaned from time to time. With the busy summer months just a few weeks away, now is the time to clean and disinfect. While it may be … Continue reading →

Outdoor Living: Not a New Idea

Stop and think about it. While there may not have been as much fanfare over outdoor living in the past, or it may not have even been described in that way, it’s not a new concept. Look at older homes in the South or even newer designs created with that old-fashioned, southern mansion charm. Huge, covered, wrap-around porches encircling homes are a perfect example and rocking chairs and swings aligning those porches make it an even stronger statement. I love those old houses. Wrap around porches just give me a sense of family. Long, leisurely afternoons enjoying simple things like … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Week in Review: October 15th Through October 21st

From saving money on meals to free flowers, it has been a mix of different money saving tips here in the frugal living blog, where you’ll find all sorts of ideas to make your money go as far as it can. That is important, especially now when oil prices are going up and the cold weather will be setting in for good in the next few weeks. And you really won’t want to miss our guest blogger at the start of her mission to save on groceries. October 15th Keeping Warm with Blankets Using blankets is a very frugal strategy. … Continue reading →

How about Some Dual Purpose Furniture for Outdoor Living Spaces?

I love home and garden centers and home improvement centers. I could get lost in these places all day. I like Home Depot as much as my husband does. He even shopped for one of my birthday presents there and his friends all told him he was going to be in big trouble when he gave me a pair of sawhorses for a gift. “Nope, she wants them,” he replied, and he was right. Not only do I want to be able to play outside but I also want to be able to work on my hobbies outdoors too. I … Continue reading →

Outdoor Living Spaces: Simple or Extravagant?

Does the area you enjoy outside your home have to look like your living room or appear to have been created by a designer to be considered an outdoor living space? I don’t think so. If it’s an area you use often or “live in” such as a patio, deck, or even just part of your yard or garden, I think it qualifies. I don’t have anything fancy, as our land is still a work in progress, but I prefer to stay outside more often than not when the weather is right. I enjoy barbecuing instead of cooking in the … Continue reading →

Start Planning Outdoor Living Spaces

It’s not too early. Despite any wintry weather you might still be experiencing, now is a great time to start making plans for creating inviting outdoor living spaces. The trend toward more relaxed living, including spending time outdoors, is continuing. More and better products are created all the time to make outdoor living more comfortable and enjoyable. While you have likely been giving more though to staying warm than to creating outdoor living spaces, there is nothing to keep you from making plans. Much like designing a room inside the home, an outdoor space needs a great deal of attention … Continue reading →

Outdoor Décor

Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Do you wish you could enjoy your yard or garden more often? Maybe it isn’t exactly the inviting space you’d like it to be, or maybe you just need a little inspiration to get things started. Your garden, yard, patio, or deck can all be transformed into great extra living spaces. Gardening goes way beyond cultivating fruits and vegetables or planting trees and flowers. Today, it means trying your hand at outdoor décor so that all of your available space is useable. You’ll find terrific items and ideas that you can use, … Continue reading →

When a Cold is Not a Cold

Spring fever is spiking in our home.  The last few weeks have been beset with sniffles, sneezes, sore throats and some serious sinus issues. For a long time I thought the aforementioned symptoms were related to the common cold, but a recent trip to the doctor proved otherwise.  The next time you are tempted to self diagnose your child’s runny nose and congestion, consider the other conditions he could be suffering from: Allergies:  Frequent sneezing and itchy, watery eyes, especially during the spring months can be a sign of allergies.  March and April are notorious for having high pollen and … Continue reading →

Visit the House from “Up” in Real Life

In further proof of the emotional resonance and technical mastery of Pixar’s “Up,” a building company in Utah has constructed a replica of Carl and Ellie’s home from the 2009 movie. The Salt Lake Tribune has the full story. As Blair Bangerter of Bangerter Homes watched “Up” one night with his family, he was struck by the “incredible lengths the masters at Disney/Pixar had gone to in creating such a wonderfully presented house and felt like a true to life version could be attempted,” according to a Bangerter Homes press release quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, … Continue reading →

Cleaning Canvas

A major part of fall cleaning involves outdoor living spaces. Deck and patio furniture need to be cleaned before they are stored for the winter. In a previous blog I provided tips on how to clean patio furniture cushions and today I am covering canvas. Canvas covers a ton of outdoor furniture, from awnings to seat cushions. Fortunately, the durable material is fairly easy to clean. Some popular canvas cleaners can be purchased at discount retailers or patio furniture supply shops. Look for Tectron Foaming Nylon and Canvas Cleaner, Meguiar’s Canvas Cleaner or Starbrite Canvas Cleaner. The specially formulated products … Continue reading →