Definition of wind chime: (n) wind chime, a decorative arrangement of pieces of metal, glass, bamboo, or pottery that hangs together loosely so the wind can cause them to chime. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
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When you shop for outdoor furniture, chances are you aren’t looking for flimsy plastic chairs and tiny tables anymore. Outside furniture has evolved from simply functional pieces to sets built with tasteful, high-quality style that will weather whatever conditions your part of the world brings to bear.
Trends for 2013 include advances in:
Gone are the blanched neutral fabrics of years past–this year’s outdoor furniture is brighter than ever. Advances in fabric technology allows current styles to keep their color for long times without fading in the sun, and manufacturers are celebrating, with popular sets featuring bright reds, oranges, and golds through the color wheel to deep blues, rich greens and purples, even black. Bold floral and geometric patters are popular too, with buyers mixing and matching patterns and solids to fit their individual tastes.
The materials used in today’s outdoor furniture looks much like its predecessors, but with a modern twist. Focus is now on sustainability, weatherproofing, and texture.
Sustainability, a 2012 buzzword in business and agriculture, applies to the outdoor-furniture industry as well. While consumers once shied away from sustainable patio furniture for its higher price tag, now producers are supplying sets that match consumer needs for greener outdoor furnishings at a price comparable to non-sustainable sets.
Teak is an example of the patterns of this trend. A wood renowned for its durability, teak was once an extremely popular material for outdoor furniture. Its popularity declined in recent years due to environmental concerns including the disappearance of old-growth teak, but is enjoying a resurgence thanks to sustainable plantation peak production. Plantation teak is more susceptible to color change in the sun than traditional teak, but is just as resistant to insects and erosion, making it an attractive choice for many consumers.
Weatherproofing is a concern for consumers who want to enjoy their furniture without having to store it over the winter.
Fabrics made from acrylic, polyester, and olefin fabrics feel just as comfy and soft as their indoor counterparts and are resistant to water, stains, and fading from UV exposure so there’s no need to bring them inside after every use. Cleaning is also simple: just wipe them down with a mild soap and a little warm water. (2)
Wicker, long sought out as an affordable outdoor material, is also benefiting from advances in weatherproofing technology. The new outdoor wicker furniture is now a combination of wicker and resin, resulting in a longer-lasting product.
Wrought iron has a new lease on outdoor life as well. Manufactured with good undercoating and powder-coated finishes, it no longer needs annual chipping and painting. (3)
Texture is another focus. Tables feature mosaic tops of stone and glass, cushions combine materials once thought to be exclusively of the indoor realm, and outdoor rugs tie it all together in textile. This trend declares outdoor furniture less of an afterthought and more of a thoughtfully designed addition to the home.
Fire elements, which were once only a fringe trend among consumers, have now become a huge shopping point. Fire pits, fireplaces, and chimineas have taken center stage. Some features are more elegant, with many built right into the center of dining-height tables, and some more casual, but most are good for roasting marshmallows and telling stories in the cool of the evening.
Sliding, rocking, and swiveling chairs are all taking an increased share of the outdoor furniture market. While rocking chairs have long been a part of the scene, these motion features have been transformed from stiff, uncomfortable pieces to deep-seated designs with plush cushions and contoured seats for maximum comfort and relaxation outdoors. (3)
If you have put off shopping for outdoor furniture for fear of the dull, stiff, weather-susceptible image it once wore, let this be your wakeup call. Enjoy your garden from the comfort of a new, lasting, colorful, comfortable outdoor room this weekend.
(1) Wikipedia, “Teak”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teak
(2)http://www.poolspaoutdoor.com/blog/entryid/127/top-7-outdoor-furniture-trends-for-2013.aspx
(3) http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/latest-trends-in-outdoor-furniture/index.html
If you’ve ever read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic story, The Secret Garden, as a child, you’ve probably wished for a hidden garden getaway of your own. Now that you’re grown, why not create one?
We’re sharing our tips on how to build your garden into a space where you can escape to—with friends and family or all on your own.
Fairy houses are a fun activity to share with children. Teaching kids to appreciate and engage with nature while they are young will encourage them to protect nature as they get older.
Here’s how to make a fairy house:
In Burnett’s story a wall, overgrown with vines, surrounded the garden. You don’t need to build a full-height wall, but you can use a short rock wall or picket fencing to create visual interest and boundaries. Use trellis arches or old doors and allow garden plants to grow up and around it.
Winding paths, paved in your favorite way, add visual interest and let visitors meander through your garden enjoying all the sights.
Paving materials are limited only by your imagination, but here are some ideas to start:
Add a few steps up or down, where appropriate, and consider leaving a space on your path for a bench, especially if the path is long. Bridges—over streams or flowerbeds—are another fun piece to consider.
Nurture a sense of wonder in your garden by introducing visitors to the local wildlife. Feeders and baths, along with colorful, pleasantly scented flowers, provide visitors with a glimpse of birds they may not see every day. Some gardeners enjoy a small pool filled with goldfish—or a pond for frogs, for the more ambitious among us.
No garden adventure is complete without a place to hide. This can be as simple as the space between your house and a hedge of bushes, or as intricate as a tree house or garden teepee. The important part is that it has a secret element—something special you need to know in order to enter:
With the right balance of structure and whimsy, incorporating these elements as they suit your space, your garden will be a lasting source of delight, full of adventure for generations to come.
One of the greatest additions to your yard for the spring is a fire pit. They simply can’t be beat for the ambiance and functionality that they provide. Because they are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles there is always a place for a fire element on your deck, patio, grass or porch. It’s true that you can find very elaborate fire pits that are professionally created and installed that will cost you quit a bit of money- but we propose you take a look at some of our do-it-yourself versions that will add just as much flare to your space for a whole lot cheaper. And with the onset of the nicer weather- it’s the perfect excuse to get outside, get your hands dirty, and breathe that new spring air!
First up and with the least amount of effort required is the corrugated metal fire pit. By using a metal bucket or even the old bucket metal liner to a washing machine, you can get a small fire going in no time! Often you can dig up a busted washer at your local dump station or keeping an ear to the ground for those getting rid of one. Once you have obtained your bucket and are ready to add it to your yard- think about taking a can of fireproof spray paint to the metal to add a pop of color and personality. Be sure to place a cinderblock under the bucket to safe guard your deck or patio from the heat.
If you happen to have access to a few large boulders, and a way to get them pushed into your desired fire pit location, you can put together a pit that can be substantially large in size- for those with the space to dedicate to the cause. Typically surveying the land will produce large enough boulders to contain the flames, and you can’t beat free resources! Once you have your boulders aligned, fill the interior with gravel for a modern, sleek look. Before you begin all of this grunt work- be sure you are not building your fire under low hanging trees.
If you want to put a little more effort into building your pit you can gather several cinderblocks (or buy them for very cheap at your local home and garden center) and stack them to your desired height and circumference- this is directly related to how large a fire you typically plan to have so coordinate accordingly. You can also paint the blocks to a desired color with a fire resistant paint if you are so inclined to add some interested to your project. Be sure before you begin stacking that you are starting with level ground.
Don’t forget to finish your fire pit area with functional seating that is comfortable. Imagine that you and your guests will likely want to settle in for an extended period of time to relax- be sure your furniture is conducive to this. Don’t leave the space looking unfinished- add a few items that command the senses, like chimes for soothing sounds, lighting for mood and aromatic plants for a pleasant smell.
A fire pit serves many purposes; for starters it can add a touch of warmth for guests on those chilly nights. While your enjoying the heat, you can add snacks to the party by roasting marshmallows, making S’mores or cooking up some hot dogs. Besides the functionality a fire pit serves, it also is simply a very calming and aesthetically pleasing element for any yard. You will enjoy cozying up to the warm glow and relaxing, and even better you can tell your guests that you made your pit yourself for next to nothing!
Why is it that you are looking to purchase a wind chime? If you can answer this question easily then you are on your way to narrowing down which is the best chime for you. If you are having a little trouble answering the question, start by considering the multiple aspects of a wind chime: the sounds they make, the different looks of each and whether they serve a specific function, and then decide which of those seems most important to you. To aid you in your search-let’s further explore these factors.
Depending on the material used to create the chime- a multitude of sounds can be produced. You may desire the deep resonating tone of a church bell or you may prefer the light, tinkling of a pewter chime. Consider the space in which you plan to hang your chime when factoring the loudness of the chime. You won’t want to hang a very loud bell in a small, indoor room where it will be distracting to conversations or compete with the volume of the television or radio. Conversely, hanging a small, quiet chime outdoors and too far away from the action would be a waste of the musical sound of the bells. Getting the right pitch and tone appropriate for your space and preference can be a bit like Goldilocks and her search for the perfect temperature porridge- but just like Goldie, once you try a few out you are sure to find one that is just right.
With a multitude of styles of chimes you will find that this aspect of choosing the right chime is probably the most fun. When browsing wind chime sites you will likely find yourself drawn to certain styles whether it be the way the light reflects through the beachy Capiz chime, or maybe your prefer the Bamboo chime for its natural, organic tubes that give a feeling of being connected to the Earth. Pewter and glass chimes can be manipulated into nearly any favorite shape and can be an excellent addition to any specific motif. Buoy bells with their whale, shell and boat windcatchers are the perfect fit for any seaside home or for those that would like to be pretend that they are on the coast!
Lastly, chimes can serve all kinds of functions. Take the Chakra chime for example- the seven tubes correspond to seven chakras of the body and aim to clear negative energy while instilling peaceful energy. There are any number of beautiful chimes that can be memorialized to commemorate the loss of a loved one and placed in any space that you see fit to celebrate ones life. Personalized chimes are an exceptional gift for weddings, anniversaries, births and more that can be hung indoors or out to make a creative statement about your special occasion. Chimes can also be used for very practical reasons too, you can hang them in your garden to ward off pests that seek to damage your vegetation!
At least we can say that you will not be at a loss for options when choosing the right chime for you. Take inventory of the above factors and that will really help you get a sense of where to focus your attention. The experts can help walk you through your purchase as well if you still need a little direction. Check out online dealers as well as they will help you make a more informed choice by organizing the products by feature- this will less over whelming than browsing the shelves at your local gardening store!
