Articles

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

 

People have long been fascinated with fire since time immemorial. In colder times, we gravitate to it for warmth; hence we have over 55 million U.S. households that have at least one fireplace. It would not be surprising then for people to invest time, money, and energy on having outdoor fireplaces as well. You can hire someone to make it for you, buy patio fireplace kits, or just build one of your own.

Here are some things to consider so you can safely build your own outdoor fireplace:

• Make sure that you are aware of your city ordinances and acquire the necessary permits or licenses that you need in order to have one.
• Check with your homeowner’s insurance company because it might affect your policy.
• Ask your utilities company about the pipes and cables that are underground.
• Your outdoor fireplace should have a safe distance from your house, and any other buildings.
• It should be a level ground that is free of trees and overhanging branches or vines.
• If you are going to construct it on an existing deck, make sure it can support the weight of the fireplace. If you have a wood deck, it could be a potential fire hazard, therefore it is important to surround the area with heatproof masonry.
• Consider the use of your outdoor fireplace. If it is mainly for ambiance, do keep in mind your home’s architecture style.
• There should be at least a three-foot distance between your seating area and the fire, regardless of the design you choose.

There are two kinds of outdoor fireplaces—and they are very much like a campfire. Choose the diameter and then have a stake driven into the center of the ground where you want the pit to be. This will mark how big you want your fireplace. The diameter of your outdoor fireplace should be about four feet and the walls should be approximately 12 inches thick.

Mix your pre-mix concrete with water until it is soft and has spreadable consistency. Place it where the base of your wall should be. Then spread the concrete and tamp it down until it is about an inch or so. Put the rebar and tap them in until they are covered with concrete and allow it to set completely. The mortar should be spread on the outer portion of the concrete base before setting the stones. Put the face stones first then top it with the capstones for an even look.

If you have never tried masonry work before, you may need to go over a guide on setting bricks first.

Enjoy and have fun with your patio fireplace!

Outdoor hammocks provide you a way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon where you can enjoy the breeze outside your own home. And like any other object placed outdoors, hammocks can become dirty over time. Here are some tips on how to clean your outdoor hammocks such as rope hammocks or hammock chairs.

There are generally two types of outdoor hammocks available: those with the spreader bars and those without.

Outdoor hammocks without the spreader bars can be washed using washing machines or by hand. You should tie the ends of outdoor hammocks together with a string just beneath the hanging rings (while the hammock is folded in half), then at the other end. This would ensure that the outdoor hammock would not get tangled.

Next place the hammock inside an empty pillow case. Then tie it securely closed. Using a mild detergent, machine wash the pillow case with the hammock inside it.

You could also clean outdoor hammocks if they are without spreader bars using your hands. Do this by tying the hammock in the same manner as above and then immersing the whole thing in a tub full of water with mild detergent. Hang the hammock to dry before replacing it.

(more…)

Ever since 1863, when it became a national holiday in the United States, American families have come together to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. Officially, it is a day to express thanks for the blessings they received and enjoyed. Admittedly, the holiday took a long time to form, yet it became one of the most awaited holidays annually in the country, and is regarded as one of only two nondenominational events in the US.

With the long weekend, the opportunity to connect again with family and friends, it is no wonder that people make a big deal out of Thanksgiving. As such, it has spawned a lot of symbols that live on until today. Here are the top five most memorable Thanksgiving symbols.

5. Cornucopia
The cornucopia or horn of plenty is actually a symbol for bountiful harvests that originated from the Greek legends, wherein a goat named Amalthea presented one of its horns to the god Zeus. Cornucopias were once fashioned out of hollowed out goats’ horns, which were then filled with fruits and vegetables from a recent harvest.

The first Thanksgiving feast coincided with the Keepunumuk, or the harvest time for the Wampanoag, the Native American neighbors of the Mayflower pilgrims.

(more…)

Barbecue grills are found in almost every American backyard. It is easy to some friends over for some grilled meat and beer on a lazy Sunday afternoon. A BBQ grill is practically part of our lives, when it comes to socializing and bonding with the whole family.

Here are the Top 4 tips on how to choose the best barbecue grill.

1. Decide on choosing between a gas or charcoal BBQ grill
There are essentially two main types of barbecue grills: charcoal barbecue grills and gas barbecue grills. A charcoal barbecue grill is preferred by people who want to have more flavors in their food. This is because charcoal barbecue grills allow you to have more flexibility in terms of how hot you want the fire to be, or if you want to add wood chips for added flavor.

Gas barbecue grills, on the other hand, are known for the convenience you have in using them. One can easily start a barbecue with a gas BBQ grill with a flick of a switch. You could also maintain the heat quite easily and over a long period of time. Gas barbecue grills are also much easier to clean than charcoal grill.

2. Do you need to carry it around?
Opt for a portable barbecue grill if you plan to do a lot of picnics and barbecuing in any place, other than your home. This might mean that you should choose a charcoal BBQ grill because charcoal barbecue grills tend to be smaller and more portable.

(more…)

When the Christmas holidays are fast approaching, especially after Thanksgiving, a lot of people start thinking about putting up decorations for the season in their homes. Large Christmas decorations, colorful ones, small ones, elaborate ones, simple ones, whatever the type, they make homes look more festive and make every member of your family look forward to the coming holidays.

If you still have not tried putting up large Christmas decorations, or if you are still deciding what decorations to put up this year, you might want to try large Christmas decorations.

Admittedly, large Christmas decorations represent a substantial financial investment on your part. That is why you should consider if you could use this kind of decoration year after year after year. It must be universal enough for you to be able to use it repeatedly. You should also make sure that it is made of really durable materials that could last a long time.

Large Christmas decorations, however, have a lot of benefits. Here are some:

Large Christmas decorations represent great fun for the whole family. You can make putting up large Christmas decorations as a great activity that involves everyone, from installing it to sprucing it up. Each one could take charge of a certain task. For example, in having a large nativity set, your kids could take care of one character each, while you take care of the set up. More than bringing the family together, getting each member of the family involved can also mean saving time and effort through the division of chores among you.

This could easily become an annual family tradition. Each year, you can gather everyone and put up decorations together.

(more…)

Nativity sets are popular Christmas decors in a lot of Christian homes. Many families put up their versions of the nativity scene during Christmas season to remind themselves of Jesus Christ’s humble beginnings in a manger.

A nativity scene has it origins in the 13th century Italy when St. Francis of Assisi recreated a nativity scene using real people and real animals set up inside a cave to remind people of the meaning of Christmas. It became widely popular and was recreated by a lot of people all across Europe during that time. Since then, art, paintings, films, prints, and sculptures have been used to show the nativity scene.

A nativity scene may vary according to a lot of things, but it generally shows the birth of Christ in a manger. Therefore nativity sets may be as simple as having only the Holy Family in it, or it could be very elaborate to include barnyard animals, angels, the Magi or the Three Wise Men, shepherds, and other characters. It is usually set in a manger, a stable, a cave or similar structures. Recent nativity sets also includes lights, usually having a star lighting up the whole scene.

Nativity sets during Christmas time is a great way of livening up your living rooms. The nativity scene is inherently rich in drama and details. Each figure, each character, even the setting has a story to tell.

Like a Christmas tree, decorating and setting up nativity sets could be a family affair, with everyone joining in the fun. One can be very creative in putting up nativity sets, and the arrangements could differ every year. You could also add other characters, and even put up trees and houses along the way. The only limit is your creativity.

(more…)

Every choosy homemaker has a special eye for home products that reflect a combination of good form and practical functionality. One outdoor lifestyle equipment company is making its way to the homes of these wise homemakers everywhere: the California Outdoor Concepts. Families who know how to pull together a warm weekend outdoor retreat are signing their approval, as well.

Favorable product reviews, word-of-the-mouth endorsements and outdoor product features on the Internet have pushed California Outdoor Concepts at the forefront of outdoor lifestyle industry. This innovative maker of fire pits and patio furniture that reflects individuality and personality is bringing the active outdoor lifestyle to a stylish level.

You will gauge the notch of craftsmanship carried out by an outdoor home furnishings manufacturer by the ingenuity it puts into every single item in their collection. The creative assemblers over at this Southern California-based company make use of excellent materials, from metals – wrought, formed or cast, to stone cut from mountain millions of years old, to produce handcrafted fire pits and other lifestyle outdoor equipment of excellent quality.

(more…)

If you are the type who is fussy about your home décor choices, never missing on the details from the style of your grand chandelier to the form of your doorknobs, you must have in your possession that one fixture beautiful houses cannot exist without, a Whitehall Address Plaque.

There is no hard telling what address plaques are for. Indeed, thank God for the purpose this trusty house fixture serves. In addition to that important task of indicating your location, homeowners are realizing that address plaques do not only offer an ideal way for visitors to identify their homes from the long and wide street, they also give them a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity, personality, even passion.

The people at Outdora online are showcasing an array of Whitehall Address Plaques that reflects diverse decorating preferences and personal touches with designs ranging from classic to patriotic, from nature-inspired to sports-themed. Personalized pieces range from souvenir-type to specialty and commemorative designs.

Browsing through the display Whitewall Address Plaque designs online, you ca tell that the artistic details have been meticulously rendered. As a matter of fact, Whitehall address plaques set the standard in personalized address plaques. All address plaques are made of custom cast aluminum and baked on enamel finish so you are assured that each plaque is rust-free and resistant to weather and fading.

(more…)

The use of wind chimes go way back in history. It is believed to have been used by many cultures in the early civilizations, from Asian places like Indonesia, Japan and China, to India, and Tibet. Wind chimes were first used in religious temples or in sacred places where wind chimes were hung from the eaves of the entrance. In the Buddhist culture, wind chimes and wind bells were used in great numbers. They are always found in temples and sacred shrines where they resonate together every time a breeze blows.

It is from this early use of wind chimes that even the homes of today find good use in hanging outdoor wind chimes and wind bells right outside the front door. Garden wind chimes are also used as home decorations.

(more…)

In the talk of high quality domestic and professional grills and kitchen accessories, Lynx grill is today’s leading brand. Not only is Lynx famed for its variety of designs according to different cooking purposes, but more importantly, it is prided for its durability. Consumers continue to patronize Lynx with its innovative products and improved customer services.

Lynx Grills have been in the business for thirty five years, and it continues to develop grill designs for various purposes and convenience. Lynx offers the food service sector with kitchen accessories that have been crafted with precise specifications. It makes use of superior and durable stainless steel material in all of its products, making it last through years of numerous grilling and barbeque sessions.

Lynx is also the leading brand in terms of kitchen appliance and accessory innovation. It has developed grilling equipment that makes cooking enjoyable and fitting to domestic or professional settings.

(more…)

Unless you have a lot of money to burn, there is a good chance that you can only afford to live in a small space. This then makes decorating quite a challenge. Your ultimate goal is how to ensure that you can have enough room to breathe without making your space look drab.

Here are great ideas on how you can expand rooms and make them look stately and airy:

1. Hang curtain rods near the ceiling.
Small homes usually have low ceilings. Nevertheless, you can always create an illusion of higher ones by simply moving the curtain rods a lot closer to them. It gives you the feeling that you have very tall windows.

(more…)