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Showing posts from January, 2024

How to Design a Patio Area

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A patio area provides a comfortable space to entertain, relax or dine al fresco. Before choosing materials and furniture, determine the patio’s intended goals. A general seating and resting area will require different furniture than a dining space for quick turnover. Opt for natural materials to create a patio that feels like a natural extension of the house. Flagstone, slate and sandstone provide a warm, organic feel, and can be used to define separate seating or dining areas. Shade Garden Ideas Use a variety of colors and foliage textures to create an appealing shade garden. For example, the slender leaves of Ice Dance Japanese sedge combine with wide ajuga and the dark-purple hues of Sirens’ Song orange-delight heuchera in this pathway planting. The low-maintenance combo is ideal for shady conditions. Eliminate traditional turf grass in shady areas and replace with shade-tolerant ground cover such as moss, ferns or hosta. Or, plant massed beds of shade-loving perennials, shrub...

How to Design and Build Patios

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Patios offer a natural transition from indoor to outdoor living. They’re great for relaxing, entertaining and can add value to your home. Patios are part of the hardscape elements that define the design, layout and overall look of your landscape. Patios are a durable and functional addition to any home. Concrete Concrete is a traditional patio material that offers versatility, durability and affordability. It can be molded into any shape and can accommodate backyard space restrictions. It also accepts a variety of colors and tints, which makes it easy to match the color scheme of your house or landscape. Concrete patios are long-lasting and require little maintenance beyond sweeping and hosing down. However, they can crack from extreme changes in humidity and temperature or from shifts in the earth beneath them. Concrete contractors can reinforce slabs with steel rebar to minimize the likelihood of these problems. Concrete can also be stained or textured to provide reliable skid...

Add the Sound of Running Water to Your Patio Water Features

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Few things calm the mind like the soothing sound of running water. Add the sound of a fountain to your garden landscape to elevate its look and create a tranquil atmosphere. Position a statuary fountain surrounded by your favorite plants to make it the focal point of your garden. Incorporate subtle lighting to change the mood at night. 1. Stacked Stone Fountain A stacked stone fountain mimics the traditional cairn stones used by cultures around the world to signify safety, hope and friendship. Calming water trickles down these slate stones that rest in a basin for an impressive display and peaceful serenity. A simple yet stylish stacked stone fountain is a quick way to add relaxing white noise to your sunroom, garden or patio. This landscape fountain kit comes ready to install with a Stacked Slate Urn, recirculating pump and AquaBasin 45 sub-surface reservoir. To build your own stone fountain, choose a slab of masonry that is less than 16 inches thick at the fountain hole location...

A Pergola Can Transform Your Patio Or Deck

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A pergola can transform an ordinary patio or deck into a beautiful outdoor living area. Customization options include retractable grommet curtains, incandescent lighting for nighttime lounging, and charming box planters brimming with herbs or flowers. A pergola is also a great way to dress up an existing fence. To provide privacy, use netting or curtains rated for outdoor use. To add more shade and beauty, consider using vines like the fast-growing Virginia Creeper. Functionality A pergola provides more than just a focal point for the outdoors. It also adds practical value to any outdoor space, including backyard dining, lounging or entertaining. Pergolas typically consist of vertical posts and cross beams. The uprights determine the structural height and sturdiness, while the cross beams create the iconic look many people associate with pergolas. They often run horizontally in a louvered, crisscross or checkerboard pattern and provide a framework for other features like climbing p...