LIVING LARGE OUTDOORS!
Whether we celebrate summer on a tiny terrace, tar beach or a mega deck in the country or at the beach – we all love the out-of-doors. The top trends for 2008 demonstrate there’s no stopping our love of living – and entertaining – in the fresh air. Here, my five best bets for turning your little patch of sun and sky into a summer oasis.
1. Low maintenance, “native” landscapes and gardens. The number one feature most of us want in our gardens (even if it’s just a clay container on our city terrace) is low maintenance. The best way to achieve that look is by using native plants that don’t require a lot of water. It’s less expensive to care for plants that aren’t thirsty all the time and that are already acclimated to our climate. And yes, many trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals thrive on city stoops, backyards and rooftops. For a list of native beauties, check out a New York-specific list issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rdsduse/ny.htm. The Chelsea Garden Center (http://chelseagardencenter.com/), with locations on 11th Avenue and 44th Street and on Van Brunt Avenue in Red Hook offer numerous drought tolerant flowers and grasses that are perfect for pots or plots – many for as little at $2 to $5 per plant. The helpful staff will help you put together perfect groupings.
2. Outdoor kitchens. Cooking centers are still popular for outdoor entertaining, but there’s no need to go to the trouble of hiring a contractor to build a palazzo-sized Tuscan pizza factory in your back yard. If your outdoor space is tiny, a compact but fully functional all-in-one outdoor kitchen centers is the modern answer. NexGrill™ Dual Head 4 Burner Grill w/ Refrigerator and Rotisserie Kit comes with a 84,000 total BTU grill and cooking surface, compete with grill top, searing burner and side burner – it’s just $1199 at Costco.
3. Great room spaces. Outdoor areas that look like a living/dining room are all the rage. If you want to turn your backyard into a lounge, invest in some outdoor furniture. Even small balconies can mimic the look of indoor rooms with an “easy chair,” rug and reading lamp all created specifically for outdoor use. For instance, homeinfatuation.com’s Optic Rug is a colorful, modern take on a graphic dhurrie style carpet. Its woven polypropylene plastic feels great underfoot, and the reversible pattern is the same on both sides but the colors are reversed. The rugs are resistant to fading and are easy to clean with a brush and hose all for $80! Home Depot sells an assortment of well-priced outdoor lamps. The Hampton Bay 30-inch table lamp has an antique rosewood finish and a poly resin shade and sells for $79 – and includes free shipping. As for easy chairs, Target’s Sean Conway Tiverton Collection2008 Motion Club Chair is on sale for $139.99. It has a bronze aluminum frame and thick, neutral back and seat cushions.
4. Natural vistas. If you’re stuck in the city this summer, creating a “natural vista” might mean pulling up your chair to the window so you can watch construction workers do their stuff on the new high rise going up next door. But, if you have a garden in the country, the burbs or even in a borough, natural is the way to go – and I mean in the form of gravel or pine mulch covered walking paths, ponds, bamboo fences, and landscapes filled with natural grasses and moss covered boulders. Check Craig’s List for mulch give-aways. Bamboo fencing can transform an ugly chain link fence into a natural looking enclosure for pennies. Wal-mart sells 13-foot by 60-foot rolls of Gardman Bamboo Fencing for about $57 a roll – you can attach it to almost anything with twist ties. As for landscape rocks and boulders – they can be expensive because of transportation and moving costs. However, don’t forget to consider existing natural “hardscaping” elements that might already be in your yard – large rocks can be grouped together for a pleasing effect. Encourage moss and lichen growth on rocks by spreading them with moss spores (available at many garden centers), placing moss on rocks and watering them (and let nature take its course), or just let it happen naturally. Chances are there is moss in your garden (or your neighbors already) and it will find its way to your rocks, especially if you keep the moist.
5. Fire! Fireplaces and fire pits are still popular – and with good reason. They are romantic, warm on a chilly night, and beautiful to look at. Real fire pits are not going to go over well in New York City (and can’t be used on most city terraces) but you may be able to use a real flame, smokeless fire bowl on your patio (check with your building for specific regulations). Natural Flame (http://www.cartridgefireplace.com) offers a copper fire pit with a “permanent log” and fuel cartridge for $99 that is safe even on wooden decks and balconies. If you do have a yard, check out Amazon’s bestselling Landmann Big Sky Stars & Moons Fire Pit, on sale for $135 and free shipping, reduced from $190.
If I can do it, so can you!
Peace , Love and Tools
Barbara K
