Enjoy Entertaining Guests With Outdoor Kitchen Islands

Enjoy Entertaining Guests With Outdoor Kitchen Islands

Many people enjoy entertaining their friends and family. They like having indoor dinners, but they know that the best get together are the ones that are in the backyard. It is a great time to have your friends with you as you cook on the grill and enjoy playing games and socializing with family that you may have not seen for a while. This is the reason why more and more people are adding Outdoor Kitchen Islands to their backyards.

Outdoor Kitchen Grills in Style

Some people struggle when they start planning for an outdoor barbecue. They get the grill out, and they take it to the patio. As they prepared the food, they spend a lot of their time traveling back and forth to and from the kitchen. Then they wish that they had room to bring the items that they need outside. Many times they will not have the room, and they will create a lot of clutter near the grill. The best option for them is to consider investing in Outdoor Kitchen Islands.

Space and Comfort

Outdoor Kitchen Islands give you the space that you need outside, and you will see the difference and the benefits when you start using one. Also, you can enhance it when you add additional items to your yard. The items that are also popular are plants, waterfalls and retaining walls. Once you visualize Outdoor Kitchen Islands in your backyard, you will see how you can add other items to make your outdoor events event more spectacular. Some people even invest in putting a solar garden in their backyard.

Cost and Installation

Before you decide to move on and install a kitchen island it is a good idea to get estimates from a reputable company. A reputable company will be insured and bonded for any mistakes and will have all contractors insured as well. Also, you may want to ask for 3-4 references before work ever begins. Ask these references how their experience went and what problems, if any, arose during the project. One last due diligence would be to contact the Better Business Bureau and see if any problems have been submitted to them as well.

Family and Friends

Consider a backyard cookout the next time you want to get together with your friends and family. Once you have the Outdoor Kitchen Islands installed in your backyard, you will see how easy it is when you are cooking the meal that you have planned. You will notice the convenience it brings when you have and prepare your next event. It will also impress your friends and family, and they will want to add the Island to their backyard. Your imagination will help you create the best backyard setting for you and your friends and family to enjoy.…

Analyzing a Site for FireWise Landscaping

Analyzing a Site for FireWise Landscaping

Especially at this time of the year–late summer and early fall, as well as early spring, the ground tends to be a lot drier and wildland fires can start far more frequently than at any other time.

Landscaping for wildland fire prevention is a great deal more important in some areas than it is in others, but realistically, it is important no matter where you live. Every area has some kind of fire danger. Those homes which are in national forest areas, or lying in the desert areas can be prone to wildland fires that can do amazing damage to your home.

Be smart and check out firewise landscaping. If you don’t know a lot about the firewise landscaping tactics, hire a professional landscaper who can advise you best about what to plant and where to plant it. There is a specific method to the madness of firewise landscaping that makes analyzing a site for firewise landscaping the first thing to accomplish before you even begin a new landscaping job.

Wildland Fire Landscaping Principles

Wildfires can be remarkably destructive. The difference between a wildfire and other kinds of natural disasters is that with the right advice and good choices, you can easily lower the risk of home or property loss and minimize the damage that is done.

Some things that need to be taken into account for your firewise landscaping analysis are:

The kind of home that you have and the way in which it could ignite–many older homes are now being retrofitted to make them far more impervious to ignition from embers, since older homes which do not have this may be at high risk for ignition.

Basic structure and geography of the area in which you live–where the trees lie, how the home lies in contrast to other areas around it. This can’t be changed of course, so far as the area in which you live, but it can be taken into account when it comes to your landscaping and the placement of elements for your outdoor world.

Adjacent buildings and other items that are in close proximity. If your outbuildings and garage are relatively close together then those too need to be taken into account so that there is more green space in between them in order to prevent a fire in one structure from moving to another.

Trees and other items. Which need to be removed, which can be worked with, open areas that run out away from the home, as well as fitting your home with lattice work, fencing and other structures that will keep your home safer. Landscaping is so much more than just the plants and trees that are used near your home.

The lay of the land, making sure that plants are place correctly moving up to the house and other areas, as well as planning for open areas, pruning back trees, removing trees, and even getting gravel and fire resistant fencing are also a part of firewise landscaping. Every aspect of your home needs to be taken into account when analyzing for your firewise landscaping to make sure that you are as safe as possible, and your home is as secure as it can be from a wildland fire.…

Balance Is the Key to a Happy Landscape

Balance Is the Key to a Happy Landscape

Balance is important in all types of art, architecture, decorating, and especially in landscaping. With balance all things become equal in a particular setting. It is not always as simple as I make it out to be, but I will put it into terms that simplify it a bit for the inexperienced and the do-it-yourself types among us.

To achieve a sense of balance gardens, landscapes, and other environments whether natural or unnatural, need to be equally proportioned, otherwise the natural look and feel of balance will not be obtained. The majority of landscapes lack symmetrical form. They are most often asymmetrical and lack the balance that would make them more inviting and comfortable. To landscape properly can many times depend on other aspects to bring balance and harmonize that particular environment by uniting the available elements.

Often, the shortage of balance is a result of a need for repetition, or patterns. A pattern of like elements whether it be shrubs, flowers, or stones throughout a particular landscape can bring together separate areas. It only takes a single repeated patterned plant type, hue, type of decor, or fence to make this happen.

A balance shortage is commonly made by putting too much or all elements that fail to match in a single landscape. This will lead to a mess by the time the plants are mature and make for an uncomfortable habitat. At the outset of your planning, less is more, put only a few matching plants about the landscape, and make sure any other matching is very little. You will always be able to add int the future as you see fit.

Most problems people have with landscaping choices are those of shape. Shape is different in every landscape and the shapes you decide on should fill your wants and desires. But, many shapes even overflowing with positives are still boring, empty, ugly, messy, and without balance. Balance sometimes depends on shape, but not in every situation. I wouldn’t dwell on trying to achieve balance through shape.

Landscaping is subject to all the influencing elements that all other types of art are influenced by. Pattern, togetherness, and balance are an important part of any landscape and work together to make it beautiful.

Building designers and interior decorators utilize pattern. They make entrances, colors, molding, overhangs, and such all similar in shape and size. If everything in your home was different it would look rather ugly. It would be a hard place to live and be happy. The same applies to landscapes and gardens.

To make a landscape appealing and inviting we need repeating patterns. Only one matching element in opposing ends of the landscape can bring it together.

The easiest way to achieve it is by using plants, shrubs and grasses. But paths, fences, and walls can also be used to reach the ultimate goal. Which is Balance. Visit for more great landscaping tips.…

Boca Raton Brick Paver Walkways – Colors and Patterns Galore!

Boca Raton Brick Paver Walkways – Colors and Patterns Galore!

Where Does Your Garden Path Lead

Walkways and pathways in Boca Raton feature both in the front and back yards of many homes in the area. Walkways obviously have a purpose and will lead the walker to someplace; whether for a pleasant meander through the back garden via the patio and swimming pool, or from the driveway to the front door. Brick paver walkways may be built to provide follow through and consistency of design to compliment the home and other outdoor fixed or brick structures, or quite simply because the homeowner feels like installing a garden path during their landscaping exercise. A good landscaping company will not lead you up the garden path, but they certainly can guide you in the right direction.

The Three Basic Patterns

The same aspects of quality and elegance cannot be achieved by using asphalt or concrete and there is virtually no limit on the variation of patterns, colors, and laying techniques which may be used to create decorative and functional brick paver walkways. In the Boca Raton area, there are three basic patterns of brick laying for paths, driveways, patios, pool surrounds, etcetera, and from these basic three patterns it is possible to create small works of art. The cleverest, simplest and oldest designs are also often the most elegant. After-all the Romans were laying brick paver pathways the length and breadth of Europe, the Middle East and the British Isles, over 2,000 years ago.

Design and Pattern Alternatives Can Be Dizzying

Although the best brick paver designs are the classic designs there are still books with hundreds of pages filled with designs, you will find historic pattern styles such as those used during the colonial period in the USA; these include running bond, stacked, herringbone, basket weave, whirling, Spanish, diamond, and more. Your landscaper can obviously be of great help when it comes to making choices regarding design and color; don’t for a moment believe that brick pavers only arrive on your doorstep in a “brick” color. Colors and styles range from brick red, to grey, rose and purples and in antique, colonial, European and more styles.

Patterns are not only achieved by the placement of the bricks, they are also achieved by the use of alternative color and style of brick paver. They are chosen not only because they look good, and are functional they are also used to “lead” the visitor or home owner to a focal point in a garden. In the front yard the focal point could be as simple as the front door, in the back yard this could be something more, such as rose garden, swimming pool, patio, place of sanctuary or peace, water feature or even a piece of sculpture.

Various Boca Raton brick paver designs suit varying degrees of traffic, for example a herringbone pattern is ideal for vehicular traffic as loads are more evenly distributed. As far as other than vehicular purposes, virtually any other pattern may be used. The only thing to bear in mind is that the more elaborate the pattern; cuts and labor are more intensive so it will obviously be more expensive, but it will also be much more exclusive. Are you ready to let a professional landscaping company, lead you up the garden path?…

The Advantages Of Hiring A Landscape Designer

The Advantages Of Hiring A Landscape Designer

For countless home owners, the yard that surrounds their home is a crucial element of decoration. The yard is often the first element of the home that is noticed from those visiting or simply driving by which often provides an indication of the design of the remainder of the property. As this is often a crucial element of home ownership, one should know the perks of hiring a landscape designer for this specific decorative need.

This field of design is actually very specific in regard to skill set and knowledge. When this professional is hired, they are usually very well versed in transforming any yard into a beautiful haven that is specifically geared toward providing a well planned and laid out piece of property. The perks this professional is able to provide often reach well beyond the aesthetics which should be understood and taken advantage of within landscape design.

Taking the general ideas and visions from the home owner and making them a reality is an immediately noticed perk of this professional. While listening and incorporating these ideas, they are often able to add an increased element of design and beauty. Thus, they are often quite effective in their services. Not only can they incorporate what the home owner is looking for right away, but they have the knowledge to design the property with plants that will last in the environment given. They know what plants need specific types of soil. They also know what plants need more sun and which ones need more shade. This way your home stays looking great every year to follow!

The entire yard design process can be very expensive when purchasing the materials required. In most cases, this professional often has specific discounts and wholesale pricing privileges with many retailers. With their discounts, they are often able to make the process much more affordable.

The weather conditions and overall topography of any yard is also pertinent in any decorative decision. While they are usually specific to each city and even each yard, there is a general knowledge that should be applied to these principles. Fortunately, this professional is usually well versed in them which help with the overall success of ideas that are implemented.

Finally, a landscape designer is also able to help coordinate and implement the necessary maintenance for the yard. Each item that is used in this process will require some type of maintenance and upkeep for longevity purposes. In many cases, they often perform the maintenance on their own.…

Landscaping Lighting Techniques to Prevent Starlight Light-Pollution

Landscaping Lighting Techniques to Prevent Starlight Light-Pollution

Anyone who is a part-time or hobby astronomer will tell you that you often have to go out away from the city to look at the stars. This is because there is far too much light pollution in human societies and civilizations. If you are designing landscaping and lighting for your home, business, or perhaps you are in that sector of our condominium where you do this for a living – then you really should consider some of the landscape lighting techniques to prevent starlight light pollution.

One of the best methods is to point the light downward, and only use the amount of light that is needed, and to use focused light bulb covers that keep the light from becoming a nuisance. After all, it is wonderful at night to look up and see all the stars, but unfortunately in the present period we have so much light that humans no longer realize how wonderful the stars are. People in the country know this, but many people of the city have never seen the stars at night. In fact, when they go into the country and look up they are blown away by how beautiful it is. “Look at all the stars,” is the first thing they say.

It’s too bad that we’ve made so many mistakes with the lighting of our cities; how we use streetlights, and how people that do landscaping do not consider these things, but they should. Each and every landscape designer should help prevent light pollution. There is something wonderful about looking up at the stars, it is very peaceful, and it makes life more enjoyable. And it would be wonderful if everyone could see them, and they would be able to – if the light pollution was kept to a minimum.

Indeed, I hope you will please consider this as it is a topic of interest, and if you have any comments or ideas along this line of thinking, perhaps you wish to me an e-mail. Think on it.…

Foundation Plants – How to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home With Foundation Plantings

Foundation Plants – How to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home With Foundation Plantings

Foundation plants are shrubs used for planting along homes and building to soften their look, enhance curb appeal and tie it to the surrounding landscape.

Some considerations to keep in mind when choosing these shrubs are:

– Style/Color

– Size

– Scale

– Seasons

The style of your house should be one of the biggest factors in selection foundation shrubs. For example, a colonial house should have different plants compared to a house that is of southwest style or modern style. The colonial would have more traditional, tight growing greenery such as boxwood whereas the southwest style home would have spiky type plants to give a desert feeling and the modern house having open, more free growing plants. Choose shrubs with colors that compliment the color of the house and don’t blend into it. A red brick would absorb shrubs such as the Cistena Plum Shrubs with deep red leaves, yet those same plants would appear striking along side a white frame house. The gorgeous blooms of the Nikko Blue Hydrangea would be wasted planted in front of a blue vinyl sided house.

Typical anchoring bushes are generally smaller growing (under 6) and planted on the corners with somewhat larger growing plants. The length of the windows will usually dictate their height. If the windows on the house start at 3 feet above the ground, then select low growing shrubs that grow no taller than 3 1/2 feet. Placing taller greenery in front of windows is not good for security.

Scale is a consideration most forgotten. Small houses should have smaller growing plants to keep in its scale and not overwhelm the house as these plants mature. Large scale houses can comfortably accommodate larger growing shrubs and trees without the house seeming to disappear.

Anchor plants should offer color and texture for at least 3 seasons if not all 4. This is the reason that evergreens, both conifers and broadleafs, are often used for this purpose. Try to plant at least 50% of the foundation plants in evergreens to keep greenery around the house year around. Planting all deciduous anchor plants creates a bare house over the winter months. Select a few choice flowering shrubs or small trees, perennials and ornamental grasses to further extent color and texture in the other seasons.…

Landscaping With Climbing Vines in Your Garden

Landscaping With Climbing Vines in Your Garden

Climbing vines are a great option for landscaping as they can serve many purposes. You can grow climbing vines as dividers, privacy screens or just as ornamental plants. Such vines are climbing plants and they grow well with proper support. Their growth pattern makes them an important addition to many landscapes.

Climbing vines are of many varieties. Some have beautiful foliage and some even produce dainty colorful flowers. They can cover the walls with a lively blanket of colors. Apart from walls, they can be trained over trellis, fence, iron or wooden frames and so many other structures that can lend support to the plant. Climbing vines grab hold through their tendrils or petioles and grow fast. They can act as dividers between the garden and the surrounding area. You can even grow them for privacy as their thick and dense foliage acts as a screen.

Most of the climbing vines grow very rapidly and hence you can expect drastic change in the landscape soon after growing them. You can choose the right kind of vine for your garden depending on the climatic conditions and your preferences. Flowering vines usually attract a lot of insects for pollination so if that is not your kind then you can go in for non- flowering ones. They look equally appealing and can transform the garden easily. Bougainvillea and sweet pea vine are suitable for warmer climates. However, if you stay on a higher altitude where the temperature is comparatively cooler then you can consider growing English Ivy or Common Ivy. Climbing roses are great for the balcony or walls. They can give a colonial feel to the landscape.

There are different types of vines to choose from. Some are annual and some are perennial in nature. If you plant the perennial ones then they can add to the landscape for at least three or more years. However, it is important to choose wisely as some of the species are considered to be invasive. They can grow very rapidly spreading to the entire area. Some can even compete with the other plants growing around them. Avoid growing invasive vines as they can be nasty and tricky to control if they get out of hand.

Growing vines is fun and easy. You can even do it yourself to make your garden attractive. Some of vines that you can grow in your home garden are Clematis, Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, Dutchman’s Pipe, Climbing Roses, Sweet Pea, Grape Vine, English Ivy, etc.…

Three Ultimate Homemade Bug Traps

Are you sick of the pests at your home?

Were no traps efficient enough to stop them from invading your house?

If you think there is no such homemade bug trap that can actually work, then your belief is going to be changed. Here we are talking about three bug trap homemade that you can easily make with just some readily available household items to wipe out the pests at once.

The pro pest exterminators have tested all of these three homemade bug traps. It has eliminated certain pests efficiently. So now it’s your time to get rid of these pests right away.

Let’s find out the ways to make these bug traps at home.

Bug trap Homemade for Stink Bug

One can make a perfect homemade trap that will keep the stink bugs at arm’s length. You can start by taking a two-liter plastic bottle. And then cut off the top 2 inches of it. Then put it upside down and bind the neck to the opening to ensure that the top sits perfectly inside the bottle. And then you can put any light, preferably battery-powered, into the container.

Keep this in some basement or attics where it would attract the stink bugs with their light and trap them inside. After the trapping, you can dispose of all the bugs with ease.

Bug trap Homemade for Mosquitoes

The first thing that you need to do is to cut off the top part of a two-liter plastic bottle and then use a black spray-paint to color the outside. Then you need to perforate two 3/8 inch holes below the rim.

After all of this done, you need to cover the top and the brim with a mesh. And then wrap a wet cloth around the edge. Immersing in water once a day could work. And then fill the trap with water.

This way, all the eggs laid on the cloth would hatch and fall from the mesh and grow large, making it difficult to escape. With the help of this bug trap, you can get rid of the mosquitoes from your place.

Bug trap Homemade for Fruit flies

All you need to do is to take a quart-size bowl and fill it up with a foamy mixture that contains water and dish soap. And then, you need to take a smaller bowl that can float in the center. Fill this smaller bowl with a quarter cup of red vinegar.

What actually happens when you do this? The vinegar attracts the fruit flies, which in turn get stuck in the suds and helps in the complete elimination of the flies from your place. You can do this for a few days a week and get rid of the fruit flies. This fruit flies bug trap is very useful in keeping pests at bay.

Conclusion

If you have been worried about the bugs at home, then your worry ends here straight away. With the help of these homemade bug traps, you can easily wipe out all the flies and bugs from your home.…