Archive for 2008
American Made Outdoor Living – Spring/Summer 2009 Trend
American Made Outdoor Living – Spring/Summer 2009 Trend
Decorating outdoor living spaces and the creation of outdoor rooms continues to be a major consumer trend heading into this summer. For 2009, however, this trend takes on a new emphasis with high transportation costs, general belt tightening and the newest buzz in outdoor, the “stay-cation or staying home to vacation. Creating these spaces, rooms or stay-cation destinations has also taken a turn this season due in part to changes in the rising costs of products made continents away. The solution is one that is not new, but a growing trend – buy American. Leisure products still are one category that is available to outfit outdoor spaces, high in quality and made within our shores. Products can range from crafted picnic tables to towering pergolas or room-defining structures.
1. The family meal – make it an all-American picnic –
If bringing your family together for a meal feels like a vacation in itself, create an adventure by turning it into a theme picnic. Your picnic can be as simple as adding a little creativity in menu and table settings and the perfect American made picnic table. High quality tables are weather resistant, of sturdy construction and made to facilitate conversation. A table such as the Red Cedar Octagonal Walk In Picnic Table from www.allpicnictables.com is designed to offer a no-hassle way for eight people to comfortably eat and converse. Made in the USA, this table is made from weather resistant cedar and zinc plated outdoor durable hardware.
2. Stories from the porch swing -
What could be more All-American than enjoying a relaxing afternoon on the front porch swing with a loved one curled close, swaying to the stories of the day? Whatever the size of your porch, swings have always been a favorite and today many styles and constructions are available handcrafted by artisans nationwide. Designs can range from high backed to intricate scroll cut designs. “Porch swings remain our number one seller,” said Tim McTighe, president, http://www.CedarStore.com western Pennsylvania manufacturer and retailer of outdoor leisure products. “Our design department is committed to creating items that accentuate the wood and our local craftsmen.”
- M O R E -
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3. Defining the outdoor room - the sky’s the limit –
The concept of the outdoor room that is taking America and the world by storm is based on the idea of creating spaces that feel more like indoors. Structures that create these ”rooms” also are available made right here in the USA. From garden path arbor seats to towering pergolas, definition of outdoor spaces can be customized to any outdoor space. Natural wood is viewed as the most popular material for these structures. Internet retailer, www.gazebocreations.com offers structures in a range of sizes as well as the ability for customers to custom order sizes to exactly fit the outdoor space.
Who needs a slow and costly boat from wherever to create an outdoor room of quality and comfort when American made leisure products can make the perfect setting for summer enjoyment? “We offer some offshore items on our site, so we are aware of what is happening in places like China with their cost of living, labor and energy on the rise,” said McTighe. “For us, our largest sellers are our furniture crafted right here in Western Pennsylvania. We find that our sense of pride in the products made locally is reinforced when our customers express the same satisfaction in ownership.”
For spring and summer 2009, there is no need to travel. Enjoy America from the comfort of your own backyard.
Decorating outdoor living spaces and the creation of outdoor rooms continues to be a major consumer trend heading into this summer. For 2009, however, this trend takes on a new emphasis with high transportation costs, general belt tightening and the newest buzz in outdoor, the “stay-cation or staying home to vacation. Creating these spaces, rooms or stay-cation destinations has also taken a turn this season due in part to changes in the rising costs of products made continents away. The solution is one that is not new, but a growing trend – buy American. Leisure products still are one category that is available to outfit outdoor spaces, high in quality and made within our shores. Products can range from crafted picnic tables to towering pergolas or room-defining structures.
1. The family meal – make it an all-American picnic –
If bringing your family together for a meal feels like a vacation in itself, create an adventure by turning it into a theme picnic. Your picnic can be as simple as adding a little creativity in menu and table settings and the perfect American made picnic table. High quality tables are weather resistant, of sturdy construction and made to facilitate conversation. A table such as the Red Cedar Octagonal Walk In Picnic Table from www.allpicnictables.com is designed to offer a no-hassle way for eight people to comfortably eat and converse. Made in the USA, this table is made from weather resistant cedar and zinc plated outdoor durable hardware.
2. Stories from the porch swing -
What could be more All-American than enjoying a relaxing afternoon on the front porch swing with a loved one curled close, swaying to the stories of the day? Whatever the size of your porch, swings have always been a favorite and today many styles and constructions are available handcrafted by artisans nationwide. Designs can range from high backed to intricate scroll cut designs. “Porch swings remain our number one seller,” said Tim McTighe, president, http://www.CedarStore.com western Pennsylvania manufacturer and retailer of outdoor leisure products. “Our design department is committed to creating items that accentuate the wood and our local craftsmen.”
- M O R E -
-
3. Defining the outdoor room - the sky’s the limit –
The concept of the outdoor room that is taking America and the world by storm is based on the idea of creating spaces that feel more like indoors. Structures that create these ”rooms” also are available made right here in the USA. From garden path arbor seats to towering pergolas, definition of outdoor spaces can be customized to any outdoor space. Natural wood is viewed as the most popular material for these structures. Internet retailer, www.gazebocreations.com offers structures in a range of sizes as well as the ability for customers to custom order sizes to exactly fit the outdoor space.
Who needs a slow and costly boat from wherever to create an outdoor room of quality and comfort when American made leisure products can make the perfect setting for summer enjoyment? “We offer some offshore items on our site, so we are aware of what is happening in places like China with their cost of living, labor and energy on the rise,” said McTighe. “For us, our largest sellers are our furniture crafted right here in Western Pennsylvania. We find that our sense of pride in the products made locally is reinforced when our customers express the same satisfaction in ownership.”
For spring and summer 2009, there is no need to travel. Enjoy America from the comfort of your own backyard.
3 Steps to Creating an Outdoor “Chat Room”…
3 Steps to Creating an Outdoor “Chat Room”…
Fun and easy way to reconnect with family and friends.
In the age of meals on the run and creating individual space; reconnection with family and friends is not always easy. The answer to closing the people-divide could be found as close as outside your backdoor. By gathering a few basis ingredients and following 3 easy steps, an outdoor “chat room” can be ablaze with conversation and bonding in no time at all.
1. Location... could be outside your home or at a favorite vacation spot.
Wherever the outdoors is available for enjoyment, so can it be the perfect locale for an outdoor chat room. Whether along a quiet lakefront or off your home’s back deck, just keep in mind when choosing your outdoor “chat” spot that it should be large enough for the family to gather; yet cozy enough to enable the chatting to begin.
2. Add the warmth… with a safe efficient burning chiminea.
Gathering around a warm fire to share stories and a marshmallow or two has brought families and friends together for decades. When creating a center of connection for family member of all ages, do not forego safety. A chiminea can provide a safe fire experience with no fear of falling into a pit or the fire exceeding its boundaries. Also fuel efficient, chimineas are designed with a chimney to create the proper draft for clean and efficient burning and to carry the smoke away from the gathering. In “10 Tips for Buying an Outdoor Fireplace,” published on the website of chiminea manufacturer, The Blue Rooster, ( www.thebluerooster.com) information is provided regarding safety, constructions, wood choices and general fireside tips. Did you know that cast aluminum offers long outdoor life or that manufactured wood and marshmallows do not mix or that there is an easy way to repel mosquitoes while enjoying your fire?
3. Activities/accoutrements... Add chat topics, soothing thoughts, and goodies.
Once the proper fire is ablaze the enjoyment and conversation will be just naturally begin. But, if you feel the need to create more activity and engagement, nothing works like something to eat. Enjoy hot dogs to marshmallows, pizzas to pot roast. All can be cooked to perfection around a well vented fire like that provided by The Blue Rooster chimineas. Some models include a cooking grid. When conversation is lagging, start a pass-along secrets game or camp fire sing-a-long for the enjoyment of all. The internet is a great source for campfire song sheets as well as campfire recipes.
An outdoor “chat-room” can create the perfect reconnection opportunity for you and your loved ones. Keeping in mind all safety considerations and using a little creativity can produce heart-warming memories that will be enjoyed, repeated, and cherished for years to come.
Fun and easy way to reconnect with family and friends.
In the age of meals on the run and creating individual space; reconnection with family and friends is not always easy. The answer to closing the people-divide could be found as close as outside your backdoor. By gathering a few basis ingredients and following 3 easy steps, an outdoor “chat room” can be ablaze with conversation and bonding in no time at all.
1. Location... could be outside your home or at a favorite vacation spot.
Wherever the outdoors is available for enjoyment, so can it be the perfect locale for an outdoor chat room. Whether along a quiet lakefront or off your home’s back deck, just keep in mind when choosing your outdoor “chat” spot that it should be large enough for the family to gather; yet cozy enough to enable the chatting to begin.
2. Add the warmth… with a safe efficient burning chiminea.
Gathering around a warm fire to share stories and a marshmallow or two has brought families and friends together for decades. When creating a center of connection for family member of all ages, do not forego safety. A chiminea can provide a safe fire experience with no fear of falling into a pit or the fire exceeding its boundaries. Also fuel efficient, chimineas are designed with a chimney to create the proper draft for clean and efficient burning and to carry the smoke away from the gathering. In “10 Tips for Buying an Outdoor Fireplace,” published on the website of chiminea manufacturer, The Blue Rooster, ( www.thebluerooster.com) information is provided regarding safety, constructions, wood choices and general fireside tips. Did you know that cast aluminum offers long outdoor life or that manufactured wood and marshmallows do not mix or that there is an easy way to repel mosquitoes while enjoying your fire?
3. Activities/accoutrements... Add chat topics, soothing thoughts, and goodies.
Once the proper fire is ablaze the enjoyment and conversation will be just naturally begin. But, if you feel the need to create more activity and engagement, nothing works like something to eat. Enjoy hot dogs to marshmallows, pizzas to pot roast. All can be cooked to perfection around a well vented fire like that provided by The Blue Rooster chimineas. Some models include a cooking grid. When conversation is lagging, start a pass-along secrets game or camp fire sing-a-long for the enjoyment of all. The internet is a great source for campfire song sheets as well as campfire recipes.
An outdoor “chat-room” can create the perfect reconnection opportunity for you and your loved ones. Keeping in mind all safety considerations and using a little creativity can produce heart-warming memories that will be enjoyed, repeated, and cherished for years to come.
