Archive for July, 2010
Re-creating a Backyard Beach with Outdora
What says summer more than being at the beach? Imagine the smell of suntan lotion, long lazy afternoons, great food, fun, and friends. It’s easy to re-create that beachy feel right in your own backyard with Outdora, minus the messy sand to clean up.
Start your backyard beach theme with a focal point. If you have a swimming pool, look no further. If you don’t, your focal point could be as simple as choosing a fire pit where friends and family can gather around toasting marshmallows and making s’mores on a cool summer evening. Outdora has an extensive selection of fire pits like an authentic Sojoe Fire Pit, a gorgeous Hand Hammered Copper Fire Pit, or a vibrant Island Series Fire Pit.
You’ll also need some accessories to go along with your new backyard attraction like a set of Smore and Hotdog Forks, a powder coated Good Directions Spark Screen, and a couple of rounded CobraCo Wooden Benches which will provide an intimate and inviting setting.
The next thing for your backyard beach is seating. Having a variety of options is perfect if you will be entertaining groups of friends or for those quiet beach blanket moments that you just keep to yourselves. The easiest way to accomplish this is through easily movable, lightweight patio furniture.
Dry Aged Angus Sirloin recipe from the Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar
The Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill and Martini Bar recently celebrated their 17th anniversary, and is proclaimed to be the “smallest restaurant with the biggest wine list” in Sonoma Valley. This local establishment, featured in both the Michelin Guide and Wine Spectator, is located inside a charming 1940’s cottage with an open kitchen and fireside dining area. Boasting fine seafood cuisine in the style of fresh California-fusion, they offer a wide selection of up to 650 Napa Valley wines and 25 martini flavors to delight every palate.
Executive chef and owner Christian Bertrand has shared his recipe for Dry Aged Angus Sirloin Steaks with Gorgonzola Butter Sauce & Cabernet Onions. To prepare this delectable dish, consider a KitchenAid Grill from Outdora and host a gourmet dinner party outdoors.
5 Musts for Outdoor Evening Entertaining
Entertaining outdoors is a perfect way to invite guests into your home and enjoy the nighttime air at the same time. Depending on your climate and the season, evening entertaining can have challenges that we don’t think about when we are inside the house. Climate control, lighting, and aesthetics are somewhat automatic inside the house. Outdoor evening entertaining can be simple with planning and some simple ideas for your next get-together.
LIGHTING: Determine the theme of your evening event. If you are planning on having a few close friends over, and the mood is intimate – candles and soft lighting are a good idea. Create a soft atmosphere with hurricane lamps and lanterns. If you’re looking for a more energetic evening, consider strings of outdoor lights in trees, and around your patio area. Lighting is essential around the dinner table, serving, and conversation areas.
Perfect Patio Designs For Your Unique Yard
Life in the backyard is better when you take the time to design your space well. Keeping in mind what you want out of the area, as well as the condition and position of your yard will help create a design that is unique and perfect for you.
Existing Grade Conditions
Start with what you have. Grading is an expensive and involved process to take on, so if it’s not entirely necessary try not to change any grading in the yard. Slight elevations and shallow valleys can be altered to make for a more level lawn, but think long and hard before investing in retaining walls and major excavating.
Raised wooden or composite decks are your best option for a yard with noticeable slopes or rolling hills. By installing your patio on a frame it will rise above the ground and you can avoid complicated grading work.
Stone patios need to be installed on level ground, but can be designed into any size and shape. If you have a flat or semi-flat area in your yard, consider that the best spot for laying a patio.
5 Criteria for Choosing a Professional Luxury Grill for Your Home
Outdoor grilling has long become the official past-time for enjoying great food and enjoying the outdoors. For those that dabble in grilling, the average home improvement store grill might be sufficient for your cooking needs. Although, if you are a connoisseur of grilling and want to have a true culinary experience, you need a luxury professional grill. The investment that is spent on the front end will last a lifetime, and you will never want to venture back to home improvement store grills again. Here are some tips for choosing a professional grill for your home.
LIFESTYLE: The same diligence you spend when choosing a car or home, is the same care you should spend when choosing a grill. Consider your lifestyle and what amenities will satisfy your family and entertaining needs. Decide if you would prefer the versatile portability of a freestanding grill, or if you plan on having a permanent summer kitchen. Both offer a variety of sizes, accessories, and options to get you grilling like a pro.
Re-creating a New England Cottage Style with Outdora
Thoughts of New England easily fill the imagination with sailing, lighthouses, historical towns or maybe even clam chowder and maple syrup. Whatever reminds you of New England, you’ll be sure to find an assortment of decor ideas to add that New England Cottage Style touch to your home with Outdora.
Welcoming guests to your home is the first opportunity to display a little New England panache. Cottage yards are frequently decorated with traditional white picket fences accented with an arbour at the entry way gate.
Consider a majestic Lighthouse Vertical Wall Address Plaque made from recycled aluminum to allow visitors to easily find your home. You may also want to add a Sailboat Solid Brass Doorbell or a Sailboat Solid Brass Door Knocker for a more nautical feel. Adorn your front porch with a cozy Glider Bench accented by a Foldable Matching Adirondack Square Table and you’ll welcome visitors in style.
Another important decor feature of a typical New England cottage is a weathervane whose history in the U.S. dates back to President George Washington and his commemoration of a weathervane to signify the end of the American Revolution. Choose from a Classic Copper Sailboat Weathervane, a Painted Lighthouse Weathervane, or a rust-free copper option in the Lighthouse Weathervane.
The Ancient Gong: Home Décor Tips from the Past
The historical background for the gong is surprising quite involved. This musical instrument stems from Burma, China, Annam and Java. From these regions, seven gong shapes and sounds were developed. Although some might think that the gong was just honored for its sound, the actual construction of this instrument was thought to be magical or divine. Delving into the gong’s past is an interesting journey, because the tradition had different meanings and purposes among various cultures. Knowing how the gong got it start might encourage you to add one to your home.
Grilled Local Halibut, Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce recipe from Sonoma’s ESTATE restaurant
Fire up the barbecue this holiday weekend and instead of cooking your usual 4th of July fare, try this gourmet recipe for Grilled Local Halibut with Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce. Contributed by Sondra Bernstein, proprietor of popular Sonoma restaurants the girl and the fig® and the sister restaurant Estate, this recipe is a truly scrumptious alternative to traditional hot dogs and burgers.
Need a barbecue grill for your backyard celebration? Visit Outdora for a range of state-of-the-art options.
5 Ways to Prepare Your Backyard for Guests
There’s nothing like getting ready for guests during the summer months. Backyard preparation can be easy if you start early and have a plan for what you need to tackle. Decide what areas of your yard need attention, and what activities you want your guests to enjoy. Whether the activities will be lounging, grilling, or playing in the yard, here’s 5 ways to prepare your backyard for guests.
1) Clearing Debris: Walk around the exterior of your home and pick up debris. When guests come over, they will be in areas of your backyard, which you don’t usually think about. Pressure wash concrete, pool deck, and paver walkways to remove dirt and mildew. Walk through the lawn and pick up dead branches, and mow 1-2 days prior to your guests arriving. This gives times for fresh grass to settle and clippings won’t still linger.
2) Preparing the Patio & Pool: Clean patio furniture cushions with mild detergent. If covers are removable, machine wash and let them air dry. For umbrellas, awnings, and other outdoor fabrics wash with a garden hose and let air dry 1-2 days before entertaining. In pool and pond areas make sure they are clean and inviting. Consider hiring a professional if the task seems daunting. Often times, hiring a professional will be faster, and they will use products that will keep your pool and pond cleaner, longer.
