There are two important features that go into serving drinks outdoors: presentation and chill factor, and it can be a little difficult to find a way to get both at the same time. Conventional beverage coolers will keep your drinks cold, sure, but they aren’t exactly stylish, and plunging your hand into cold water and […]
Space is a major limiting factor when it comes to buying outdoor furniture. Not only do you have to decide how much furniture you have room for on your deck or patio, but also how much of the space you want to dedicate to pieces you might not use that often – and pieces you […]
Most people enjoy summer for the entertaining; the backyard barbecues, pool parties, and long summer evening spent outside with friends and family. Most outdoor furniture reflects this: big dining or bar sets and outdoor sofas or sectionals designed to seat a crowd. But for those of us who would rather stretch out with a good […]
Redecorating your back yard, deck, or patio area can be a major undertaking. In fact, if you wait until it’s warm enough to be thinking about back yard barbecues, it’s already too late to do a large scale renovation if you want to be able to enjoy it that season. But there are a few […]
Over the past few years, Chinese garden stools have started to become a common sight in American decor. These petite, decorative ceramic pieces have been used in China for more than a thousand years, and are both beautiful and extremely versatile. With highly detailed designs and vivid, colorful glazes, these stools are eye catching and […]
When you think of entertaining outdoors, you probably think of big family barbecues and long afternoons by the pool. But before the full heat of summer arrives, there’s a quieter, more intimate sort of outdoor gathering that’s perfectly suited to spring: the garden party. A little bit more formal than a barbecue or picnic, garden […]
Aluminum and resin wicker are two of the most popular materials in contemporary outdoor furniture design. These newer materials offer a slew of advantages over more traditional materials like cast iron, wood, or natural wicker, and are both smart, all-weather choices for your outdoor space. But they’re also quite distinct from each other, both in […]
I love spending long summer evenings outside, soaking up the warmth and the sound of crickets. But as days get shorter and cool weather creeps in, patios, porches, decks, and back yards all become less and less hospitable, forcing us back inside earlier and earlier until winter is upon us. One of my favorite ways […]
Summer is the season for outdoor entertaining; barbecues and pool parties and just lounging around spending time with friends and family and soaking up a little sun. But it can be difficult to decorate a one-season space, especially if you have a relatively small deck or patio. One of the best ways to maximize seating […]
Every summer I start out with the intent to spend more time outside: grilling, walking, reading, or just laying out in the sun. But unfortunately I happen to live in a climate where “fun in the sun” means high heat and high humidity – in other words, not that much fun at all. All too […]