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Every year a wave of new products hits the shelves at lawn and garden stores, home improvement centers and online retailers. For 2008, a major trend is innovative outdoor lighting. Driving this trend toward creative outdoor lighting is the desire of homeowners to spend time outdoors and extend their outdoor time into the comfortable summer evening hours.

Strathwood Chaise Lounge

List Price: $189.99
Buy New: $99.99
You Save: $90.00 (47%)

Features:
• Made of Kapur wood, an all-weather hardwood that is dense and durable
• Mortise and tenon construction with rust-resistant hardware
• Pre-assembled components assembly easily using allen wrench provided
• Weathers to a warm grey or color can be maintained using teak oil
• Measures 24″ W x 74″ D x 13″ H

The abundance of interesting products for patios, decks and gardens is a testament to just how important outdoor living areas have become. According to a survey by the American Institute of Architects on Home Design Trends, there is surge in interest in building outdoor patios, kitchens and decks, and outdoor lighting extends the use of these spaces.

“With every deck I build I now factor in lighting solutions,” says Bob Lehman, owner of Creative Deck Designs in Maryland.

Today’s lighting comes in a variety of forms, including energy efficient illumination sources. “There are so many uses for lighting in an outdoor environment, both from a functional standpoint and a decorative one,” says Jay Savignac, senior vice president for Aurora Deck Lighting, one of the nation’s largest outdoor lighting manufacturers.

Building codes have also been an important driving force, as safety concerns have forced communities to require builders to add lights when outdoor stairs are involved. “Increasing the safety factor is definitely a reason for adding lights, and security has always been important. Today people want lighting that allows them to cook outside at night or entertain in a candle-lit sort of environment. Products on the market today make it possible to do both,” Savignac says.

Aurora’s Web site (www.auroradecklighting.com) showcases a variety of different types of outdoor lighting. The company’s most popular products are lighted post caps, which are designed to integrate into a backyard deck or fence and add both design features and function.

“Our newest products include solar powered lights, like the Polaris, which has a traditional lamp look that is designed to fit on a variety of post sizes. Because it is powered by the sun, the lights are easy to install and no special wiring or electrical knowledge is required,” Savignac says.

Lehman says his clients also are incorporating path lights into their backyard environments. New versions, like the Quasar Pathway Deck Light, mount on the bottom of a porch post, deck post or fence to illuminate stairs or highlight landscaping.

LED lights, like the award-winning Eclipse LED and the Nova LED from Aurora, are growing in popularity as technology has improved their intensity. These lights burn for thousands of hours without requiring a bulb change and are among the most efficient sources available today.

Ron and Nancy Snyder of Rootstown, Ohio, had a new deck added to their home and shopped extensively for outdoor lighting to compliment its design. They decided on simple lights that mounted on the posts on their deck.

“We are extremely pleased with these lights and have received many complements from our guests and friends. We especially like the way the glass defuses the light, and we are amazed at how well the lights weathered our vicious Northeast Ohio winter. They still look perfect in spite of record severe weather,” Ron says.

“We’ve come a long way from the ‘runway lights’ that people would stick in their yards along the sidewalk. Today the quality of the lighting and the options that are available make it possible to completely customize the look of your home and create a fantastic ambiance that lights up the night,” Savignac says.

Do you ever find yourself wishing you could use your deck or patio more often but find it to be useless because of the weather? Imagine turning your deck or patio into a usable outdoor living space where you can spend more time enjoying life no matter what the weather.

Sunsetter Pro Motorized Awning (10 Ft / Blue Stripe)

Buy New: $1,369.00

The sunsetter pro motorized awning gives you the ultimate in cool shade and weather protection instantly. Dual-cable system needs no vertical supports. Includes reliable somfy motor — the best in the industry — hidden inside the awning roller. Included remote control lets you operate your awning from anywhere. Comes with industry leading 5-year warranty. 7. 5ft minimum vertical clearance for installation. Easily installable in 2-3 hours. Unit can be installed on wood, brick, stucco, aluminum and vinyl siding as well as directly on eaves and overhangs. 12-ft cord plugs into any grounded outlet. Includes weatherbreaker vinyl front screen for blocking sun and breeze, or prevent light rain from blowing under your awning.

With the simple push of a button, automated retractable awnings are the perfect solution to a deck or patio that isn’t used often because of intense sun and other weather factors that would disrupt you from enjoying outdoor living. Great protection from the sun and creating a more comfortable and enjoyable space are just some of the benefits you will get from an automated retractable awning. What makes them an exceptional value are all the additional benefits they provide.

Retractable awnings are a great way of preventing the sun and heat from entering a home. By providing shade to windows and patio doors, interior temperatures can be significantly reduced which will ultimately help to reduce cooling costs. According to an energy study conducted by PAMA (Professional Awning Manufacturers Association), more energy is lost through glass doors and windows than through any other part of the home. On a hot day, more energy comes through one square foot of glass than through an entire insulated wall. Solar radiation through glass is responsible for approximately 20 percent of the load on an air conditioner.

An awning, for example, can help solve this problem by reducing heat gain by 55 to 65 percent. For western exposure, the reduction in heat gain is 72 to 77 percent. And that’s not all you save, because an automated retractable awning reduces the amount of sunlight and glare that enters a home, it protects your interior carpets, window treatments and furnishings from fading as well.

“Automated retractable awnings also enhance the beauty of your home. Retractable awnings come in a wide variety of decorative colors and designs which will give your home added value,”says Mitch Klein, business development manager for Somfy Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer that specializes in motors and controls for awnings. “Automated retractable awnings are powered with a concealed motor that can simply be plugged into a standard 120V electrical outlet. The awning will effortlessly extend or retract with a hand-held remote or a wireless wall switch.”

For the ultimate in convenience, your retractable awning can be controlled automatically with a wind sensor that will draw in the awning upon detecting a strong gust of wind or with a sun sensor that will extend the awning based on the sun’s intensity. The functional control options are WireFree and operate via either battery or solar power which means no additional wiring or complicated installation.

Don’t let your deck or patio become a lifeless space that you wish you could use. Give it a new life with an automated retractable awning. Creating the perfect backyard is a homeowner’s dream and an automated retractable awning is the perfect complement to outdoor kitchens, spas, entertainment centers and furniture. An automated retractable awning creates an outdoor family room in less then 60 seconds and defines a space on your deck or patio so you can spend more time outdoors.

The real estate market may be in a slump, but not all industries having to do with the home are in trouble. Companies that specialize in remodeling and renovation, particularly in the area of outdoor living, are doing extremely well right now.

“People don’t want to lose money on their biggest investment so instead of moving, they’re improving their homes,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design and education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA). He says now that warmer weather has arrived, people are adding decks, patios, gazebos and outdoor kitchens to their homes, and they aren’t just planning to use them in the daytime.

Malibu Low Voltage Metal 10-Watt Halogen Landscape Floodlight

List Price: $13.00
Buy New: $8.25
You Save: $4.75 (37%)

Features:
• Energy efficient 10-watt halogen bi-pin bulb
• Non-corrosive metal construction
• Adds beauty, safety and security
• Black finish
• Quick clamp system to any low voltage cable

“The trend towards expanding outdoor living space has been growing for some time now,” says Richard Lentz, president of Lentz Landscape Lighting in Dallas, Texas. “In past years, our goal was focused on lighting the space and showing off the garden. Now we’re concentrating a lot more effort on finding innovative ways to light outdoor spaces so they can be used at night, much like they’re used during the day.”

Backyard decks no longer just have a small light near the door. Lentz says lighting designers are now installing down lights in trees and attaching them to chimneys to shine light down on the space. “We’re also putting in a lot of step lights to make the transition from the upper to lower level easier,” says Lentz, who adds that people no longer have to feel like they’re under a spotlight when they sit outside under the stars. “If there’s a tree nearby, we can shine light down from it. Attaching fixtures to a chimney is also a nice way to get light from above that feels like moonlight.”

And when it comes to lighting outdoor kitchens, innovation is key. “We do a lot of task lighting in the outdoor kitchen,” says Lentz. “We’ll utilize the arbors to hang task lighting over the sink, the grill and the table, for example, and put them on dimmers so when the light isn’t needed, it can be turned down.”

Lentz credits the recent innovations offered by various lighting manufacturers for making those projects possible. “Technology sure has come a long way in a short amount of time,” he says.

Rey-Barreau agrees. “Manufacturers realize there’s a growing market for outdoor fixtures and they have responded by stepping up to the challenge to develop chandeliers, table lamps and sconces that are rated for wet conditions so they can be safely installed outdoors,” he says.

Safety isn’t the only factor being considered by manufacturers. So is operating cost. Not so long ago, the U.S. government mandated that the lighting industry find ways to cut energy consumption of their products. Kichler Lighting of Cleveland, Ohio, responded by coming out with a line of outdoor fixtures that use highly efficient L.E.D. bulbs that require one-third the energy of incandescents.

“When people realize they can get the same light output, a nice comfortable color and reduce energy use by 75 percent, they are more than willing to make the change,” says Jeff Dross at Kichler Lighting.

There have been innovations in the area of lighting for curb appeal purposes as well. “Landscape lighting is about safety, security and aesthetics. As far as the latter goes, the key to success is being subtle. Less is always more,” says Monty Gilbertson, manager of Lighting Design by Wettsteins in La Crosse, Wisc.

Doug Prexta, who works for the landscape division of Cleveland, Ohio-based Hinckley Lighting confirms lighting the outdoors is a trend that’s here to stay. “Our business is way up in the landscape division because people are investing in their homes more and more,” he says.

Classic Oval Veranda Patio Table and 6 - Chair Cover Set

Buy New: $44.99 - $59.99

Product Description
Classic Patio Table and 6 - Chair Cover Set. Protect your decked-out deck! There’s nothing like relaxing on your deck with a cool one, good friends, and good food. But you know as well as I do that summer storms get mixed in between those bright, sunny days, so you need to make sure your costly patio furniture is protected. (You don’t want to be sitting on wet chairs or serving barbecue on a soggy table when the sun does come out!) Here’s the protection you need at a reasonable price. Take a closer look: Gardelle protective fabric system; Won’t crack in cold weather; Handles for easy fitting and removal; Air vents reduce condensation and lessen ballooning in winds; Adjustable elastic hem cord for a tight and custom fit; 3-year limited warranty.

(ARA) – Summer is coming to an end and you know what that means — the 2008 football season is just around the corner. In less than a month the season begins, and if you want your home to gain a reputation of being “the place” to enjoy the game, now is the time to start getting ready.

A good place to start is by stocking up on supplies: disposable cups, plates, napkins, serving trays and utensils; soda and bottled water; chips and pretzels; and all the right gear to cheer on your team. You’ll also have to decide where everyone will gather to watch the big game, keeping in mind, as long as the weather is nice, the “best place in the house” won’t be in the house at all, but in your outdoor living room.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), extending the footprint of your home by creating living space outside is one of the hottest trends in home remodeling right now. Gone are the days when all you had outside was some patio furniture.

These days, people’s backyards have all the comforts of home — a relaxing place to sit, electrical connections for televisions and stereos and a refrigerator where snacks and drinks can be stored. People are also putting in outdoor ovens that do double duty, not only providing a place to cook brats and burgers, but on those upcoming cold winter days, warmth as well.

If you don’t have a barbecue oven yet, but want to create an outdoor living space in time for football season, start by deciding where it should go, then invite some friends over to help you build one. Here’s how:

Required materials:
Sakrete All-Purpose Gravel
Sakrete Type N Mortar Mix
Two (2) Metal grates

Required tools:
Plasterer’s trowel
Hoe
Mixing box
Level
Four (4) wooden posts (2×4s)
Optional: sill plate

Directions:
1. Map out area for concrete footing with wooden posts and secure them in the ground. Lay a level bed of Sakrete All-Purpose gravel and pack it even. Pour a concrete footing about four to six inches thick. Let the slab cure for 24 to 48 hours before beginning to lay the brick.
2. Begin building walls with a layer of Sakrete Type N Mortar between the footing and the first layer of brick. You should begin at the corners and work inward. Check after each layer with a level to make sure your finished product will be level.
3. When the structure is 2/3 of its scheduled height, place a row of bricks protruding to the inside to create a ridge for the metal grate (purchased at your local hardware store) to rest on, then do it again several layers up to create enough space between grates for charcoal.
4. Once the barbecue walls are complete, to install a sill plate to provide a means to set and anchor the roof or floor joists. The sill plate is also anchored with bolts into the block cells filled with Portland cement grout.
5. Place metal grates inside grill and fill the lower with the charcoal.
6. Enjoy!

For more detailed directions on constructing a slab footing and laying block and brick for your barbecue, log on to www.sakrete.com and click on the link that says “Take Me to the Sakrete Project Center.” Sakrete products are available at your local hardware and building supply retailer.

Once the barbeque is built, take the time to trim back any overgrown vegetation and, of course, mow the lawn the day before your guests are set to arrive so the yard will look neat, tidy and inviting — just like a well-manicured football field. Sit back, crack open your favorite beverage and listen to your friends talk about your house being the entertainment mecca.

(ARA) - The garage is very often the last place to be recognized as a space you can decorate. Indoors and out our houses are decorated with state-of-the-art updates — even patios have outdoor kitchens and stylish stone underfoot. The garage is one of the highest traffic areas of your home, so adding the same style there increases square footage and value to your property.

No longer just a place to store your junk, the garage has become a place to spend time and many are even heated. Freezer and pantry shelves make it an extension of the kitchen; furniture, sound system and TV make it a great place for watching football or a kids’ play area when they can’t play outside.

Many companies are providing everything homeowners need to upgrade the garage to the condition of the rest of the house. “Start with the flooring and work your way up from there,” says Don Sneed, president of Better Life Technology. “Good floor covering improves the look, shields the floor and increases the value of the house. Roll out flooring is easy to install, durable, attractive and even comfortable to walk on.”

Made of specially formulated PCV vinyl, G-Floor hides cracks and stains while protecting floors from oil, battery acid, grease, brake fluid, antifreeze, salt, mud and other dirt that finds its way into the garage. The flooring now comes in a new Metallic Silver Diamond Tread pattern that really glamorizes the floor. A design similar to Diamond Tread is found on truck bed protectors, ATV storage boxes and tool cabinets so you can “match” the floor to the equipment.

“Compared to other types of garage flooring like epoxy paint and tile, G-Floor is really easy. You just roll it out and trim the edges. There’s no adhesive required but if you want, you can put down an adhesive tape at seams and edges. Double sided tape or a 3M 80 Rubber & Vinyl Spray Adhesive add extra leak protection and pull up easily should you want to remove it,” continues Sneed.

Once you have flooring down, add cabinetry, organizational wall units and lighting. The right cabinets give you a place for everything so your work bench stays clear of clutter. With adjustable legs to keep them off the floor, you can sweep and hose out from underneath, and don’t need to worry about things inside getting wet. Wall storage systems give you unused space to hang large tools and equipment that don’t fit in a cabinet and keep them in plain sight for easy accessibility.

Lighting ties a space together and gives it the real workability you need. A few well-placed overhead lights with some additional spot lighting make your garage the work shop you always dreamed of.

Once you’ve finished sprucing up your garage, consider other uses for G-Floor. Basement storage rooms, wood shops and even laundry rooms can benefit from the protection that floor covering offers.

For some, the garage is the biggest room in the house. Start with floor decorating to bring your garage to its full potential and increase your home’s value and your enjoyment of it.

Better Life Technology is based in Kansas. BLT products can be found at Menards home centers, Sam’s Club, and COSTCO. New Metallic Silver Diamond Tread design is available online at CalCarCover.com. For more information, log on to www.bltllc.com or call (877) 810-6444 extension 21.

Ewins Antiqua Premium Quilted Hammock - Navy Stripe
Amazon Price:

Oxford Indoor or Outdoor Garden Storage Bench
Amazon Price:

Veranda Patio Cushion Bag, in pebble, fits chaise and seat cushions
Amazon Price: $24.99


Customer Review: This cushion bag is great. It easily fits cushions for two outdoor chairs. I bought two of them to hold cushions for a loveseat, two chairs, a bench and all the extra pillows, and have room for more. It is made of very durable and good-looking heavy canvas. I have not left it outside, but it looks like it would be waterproof. I highly recommend it. Get one while they’re still in stock!

Bayou Classic 0880-PDQ Stainless-Steel Beercan ChickCAN Rack
Amazon Price: $14.50


Customer Review: This is a good simple product. Works well! However, it is overpriced, you can buy it at your local Wal Mart for under $5 bucks.

9′ Outdoor Square Patio Market Umbrella - Natural
Amazon Price:


Customer Review: Ewins charges $40 shipping through Amazon. Order this umbrella direct from Ewins and shipping will be about $17 dollars. Only a few states are subject to sales tax which means this umbrella will cost you less than $50.

(ARA) - Autumn. The very word conjures up colorful images, comforting impressions and cool feelings of a restful season. With the cooler temperatures that autumn brings, now is the perfect time to finally realize the relaxation you have been promising yourself all through the summer months. And what better place to relax than in the great outdoors.

When choosing outdoor leisure products, things to consider include comfort, color and durability.

Trends in Comfort

Trends come and go, but in the area of comfort for the outdoors, one item has been in fashion for over 100 years. Neither new nor splashy, the traditional hammock is the symbol of outdoor leisure recognized by all.

“No other outdoor furnishing can provide the comfort that a hammock does with its ‘floating on air’ design,” states Laurie Rudd, creative director of The HammockSource, manufacturers of Hatteras Hammocks and The Original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock. “The comfort of a hammock is found in the construction of either the hand woven rope style that hugs the body or in the fabric beds made of quilted layers.”

With the major improvements to the comfort of weather resistant ropes and fabrics, a current trend is extreme durability coupled with the softness of natural fibers. One example is DuraCord fiber. Although man made, this fiber is fade, stain and mildew resistant and repels water. The best part: its as soft as cotton.

Trends in Color

Color is not often the first thought, but today’s hammock is not your grandmother’s cotton rope hammock. “Colors are exploding in various hammock styles including ropes and fabrics,” states Ginger Woodard, PhD, associate professor in the College of Human Ecology at East Carolina University. “With the advancements in non-fading solution dyed yarns, colorations are unlimited.”

“This autumn, hammock color trends include cool blues and natural warm honey browns. Vibrant yellows and reds are also showing up taking their cue from the changing foliage. Making a comeback this season are silhouette design fabrics with high contrast black and off-white creating floral to geometric patterning. Outdoor also continues to welcome the olive greens matched with warm deep burgundy,” states Rudd.

Trends in Durability

Autumn is best enjoyed in the out-of-doors. However, life outside for furnishings can be harsh no matter the season, making durability the goal of all outdoor leisure products. In a hammock, these include everything from the hanging chain to the materials that make up the bed of the hammock.

“Zinc plating over heavy duty steel is preferred for long hammock life,” states Bill Russo, president of Nags Head Hammocks, of N.C. and S.C. “This finish keeps the installation of the hammock safe as well as long lasting.”

Wood components are trending toward naturally durable outdoor woods such as cypress or Brazilian teak, known as Cumaru. “The trend in ropes or fabrics for outdoor durability include designer materials like the DuraCord, that can withstand the elements while also being easy to clean with a bleach and water solution,” states J. R. Pelletier of internet retailer, The Hammock Company.com. Low maintenance is a priority in outdoor products year-round.

Trends in Relaxation

Autumn is the perfect time to lie back, relax and watch all the beauty and wonder of the season unfold. A hammock makes for the perfect vantage point for this and by following the latest trends, you will realize enjoyment that will never go out of style.

For more information visit www.hatterashammocks.com; www.nagshead.com; or www.thehammockcompany.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Every landscape needs freshening up by summer’s end. Exhausted from the scorching sun, heat and drought, any space can be updated and revitalized for fall in no-time with three simple projects:

1. Trade Summer-shabby Turf – Give worn-out, summer-tired turf a new look by replacing it with creeping perennial plantings. This “no-mow” alternative is a green-friendly way to pass on the grass, and can be easily created by adding hardy plant varieties like Stepables (www.stepables.com), the line of over 140 creeping perennial plants that with-stand, and even thrive from, foot traffic.

2. Prune for Rejuvenation – Fall is the best time to prune woody plants. Plants should be pruned for the health of the plant, human safety reasons and for landscape aesthetics. For pruning like the pros, proper tools are essential. Gardener’s Edge by A.M. Leonard (www.gardenersedge.com) has created a beginner’s pruning kit that includes small specialty shears, hand pruners, and a tri-edge folding saw.

3. Add Garden Markers for Stand-out Fall Foliage – For an artistic way to identify and delight in out-of-bloom foliage plants during fall and winter, add garden markers or plant ID tags to the landscape. The Garden Splendor line of plants (www.gardensplendor.com) offers individualized, anodized-aluminum Remember Me garden markers with each plant.

Patio Furniture

This handsome, well-made chaise lounge is tailor-made for soaking up the sun or relaxing by the pool. A unique tray table extends to hold drinks, magazines, and other lounging essentials, then slides back underneath for storage. The back adjusts to five positions–from fully-upright to completely-reclined. Matching cushions can also be purchased to add even more comfort.

The bench’s slotted surface allows rain to flow through, rather than collect and damage the wood. The piece is made from kapur wood, a high-density Southeast Asian hardwood with excellent weather-resistant properties. Light enough to move easily around deck or lawn, kapur requires no finishing and is exceptionally-sturdy–with enough oil to repel the ravages of rain, sun, and dew. Rust-resistant hardware and mortise and tenon construction also add to the piece’s strength and durability.

Before shipment, your new furniture received a generous application of teak oil. Teak oil provides protection from the ultraviolet sunrays. Left untreated, Kapur will weather to a soft warm shade of gray similar to the weathering of teak. If you prefer to prevent this weathering process, you may apply additional coats of teak oil. The frequency of necessary teak oil applications will depend on the intensity of the sun in your environment, but typically, one or two coats per year is sufficient. Teak oil can usually be found at a marine dealer, hardware store, or internet dealer. If you allow your patio furniture to weather, you may later decide that you would want to restore it to its original condition. This is possible by using teak cleaner products, also available at most marine dealers and internet dealers. After following the instructions for cleaning, you will want to apply a coat of teak oil to prevent the weathering process.

The lounge’s preassembled components fit together easily with the help of an included allen wrench. This item measures 74 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 12-1/2 inches tall. –Mary Park

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