outdoor

Sweltering Style – Switching Up Your Patio For Summer Vibes

May 21, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

After the colder winter and the associated hibernation, many of us welcome the return to warmer climate through extended stays in outdoor entertaining areas.

If your home’s outdoor space is in need of a bit of a spruce-up, the following ideas may help you create a space which is ripe for summer enjoyment, right in the nick of time.

Gimme Shelter

Although the warmth of summer sun can be pleasant and relaxing, the full heat of Australian summer can also be both dangerous and uncomfortable. If you’re looking to get the more use and enjoyment from your outdoor entertaining area, it can be a good idea to install adequate shade and sun protection.

Outdoor blinds are an ideal way to block out direct light and to control the temperature and glare of an area. They’re also available in a wide range of designs and colours, meaning that you can find a solution for your patio which will enhance the area while providing you with much needed comfort.

Another excellent solution is shadecloth. Shadecloth can be directly installed to overhead wooden beams to partially block out overhead light and dim the area, without completely shading the space.

For a tailored and comfortable solution, combining methods of sun protection is a great way to ensure you get the most from your space.

Light It Up

Outdoor lighting is another key consideration if you’re in the process of revamping your outdoor entertainment area for summer. With longer evenings and warm nights, the temptation to entertain and remain outdoors grows, and so it becomes necessary to provide a source of outdoor lighting.

Solar lights provide a cheap and environmentally friendly way to illuminate your social occasions. They can be installed in a number of ways, including lanterns, spotlights and fairy lights – meaning that you can light the area in a way which suits your space and your occasion.

LED lights are another low cost alternative and are able to be installed to a level of brightness which suits your needs.

Consider providing a lightsource which will deter bugs and pests, such as a bug zapper or a citronella candle. These light sources can keep you comfortable throughout the mosquito prone months.

Taste The Outdoors

If you’re spending more time outdoors socially, it makes sense that you may be considering outdoor cooking facilities. The barbeque is a much loved and time tested outdoor cooking apparatus, and can be used in summer with great gusto.

For a high-quality change, consider installing a wood fired oven or an outdoor cooker to really create a foodie heaven. A wood fired oven can make more than delicious pizza. It can also cook cakes and roast meats and vegetables. An outdoor cooker is like an indoor stove – without the restriction of walls. These are great for preparing high dexterity and high heat dishes such as curries, stir fries and deep fried dishes.

Outdoor cooking solutions provide you with an extra way to cook at all times of year – even in the cooler months. You might find them particularly handy when cooking particularly pungent or less welcomed foods (eg; cabbage soup or kimchi).

Pump Up The Volume

Speakers. Music. Action! An outdoor entertaining area isn’t complete without a little bit of entertainment. An easy way to integrate some fun into your outdoor area is through the installation of speakers or a sound system.

Clever positioning of speakers will allow you to enjoy music outdoors without incurring the anger or wrath of any neighbours. It will also allow you to enjoy streamed indoor content or radio broadcasts without the need for a clunky, static-filled boombox.

Setting up your outdoor entertaining area for summer as easy as preparing in advance. Get your climate and shade sorted, figure out your cooking methodologies and choose a playlist. Then it’s time to get the party started!

Exterior Design – How to Give Your Outdoor Areas a Stylish Makeover

March 19, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Source: Shutterstock

Is your home outdoor area looking a little lacklustre these days? Are you bored of your current decor, or simply looking for a fresh injection of life into your space? If that’s the case, this is the article for you. Read on to find out a little more about how you can give your outdoor areas a stylish makeover. With a little know-how, you’ll be able to turn your space into one of your dreams.

Keep It Warm And Toasty

Summer has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that your days of lounging out in your outdoor areas have to come to an end. A simple solution to keep your outdoor area warm and toasty all year long is to install some gas outdoor heaters into your space. These heaters look stylish, and ensure that you can continue to wine and dine outside, even in the colder months. The fun doesn’t have to stop just because the weather has shifted!

Dress Your Table

Your outdoor area is not complete without a large table where people can come together to relax or have a family meal together. We recommend purchasing wooden tables or tables made of natural materials so that the aesthetic flows with the earthy tones of the outdoors. Always keep your table well dressed, with a table runner, placemats, flowers and tea lights. This will truly breathe some new life and elegance into your outdoor area, and you’ll always be ready should company come knocking on your door.

Lighting Is Key

Nothing transforms the mood of a space more than lighting does, and your outdoor area is the perfect opportunity for you to get creative with lights. You can consider hanging up affordable fairy lights, paper lanterns, or even go all out and install step lights, solar powered lights, spike lights and pathway lights into the area. Keeping the area well lit ensures that you have a great ambience even when the sun goes down, and makes your outdoor area look much more inviting in the evening.

Landscape, Landscape, Landscape!

Landscaping is essential if you want to give your outdoor areas a stylish makeover. Not only are they beautiful, but plants also help to breathe life into your space, beckoning you in to sit down and relax. There are a myriad of options when it comes to landscaping – from vertical gardens to shrubs to privacy offering hedges. If you are not confident in landscaping yourself, don’t fret, there are many professionals out there who will be able to offer you guidance and assistance.

Why Not Grow Your Own Produce?

Outdoor spaces don’t have to be all about just entertainment – why not put your space to good use by starting your very own fruit and vegetable garden? There is nothing better than growing your own food, knowing how it has been grown and enjoying the bountiful crops of your hard work. You can grow many cost effective veggies such as herbs, lettuce, tomatoes and beans in your outdoor area, saving you money in the long run as well. Aside from growing your own food, you can even compost, which is a way of recycling your organic waste and turning it into a nitrogen rich substance that will greatly improve the soil in your outdoor areas.

We hope that this article has given you some insight into how you can go about transforming your outdoor area. With a little know how and a trip to a DIY store or two, you’ll be lounging in your dream outdoor patio or backyard in no time.

How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Workshop

September 21, 2017 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

Everyone has a creative streak in them. Whether they express this as art, music, photography, or even general craftsmanship, every artist needs a space in which to work and to create. For most people, this is as simple as giving over some room in the home to your artistic pursuits. For some crafts, however, such as wood or metal work, more specialized equipment is required. This equipment is often too large to be placed inside the house and is instead suited to a garage or dedicated workshop.

Setting up such a workshop can be expensive, but if you are passionate about your craftwork then it is a worthwhile investment. For those who don’t have the space to give over in their own homes, there is also the option of constructing your very own outdoor workshop. Below are some top tips for constructing your very own workshop outdoors.

Check Your Local Building Codes

Before you begin planning your dream outdoor workshop, it’s important to know what restrictions there are on the type of structure you’re allowed to erect. Building codes will vary between states. Also make yourself aware of the relevant regulations regarding wiring and electronics if you are planning to run power to your new workshop. Doing this stuff beforehand will make everything that follows run that bit smoother.

Local building codes will also dictate what materials you can use. Usually it will either be timber or steel. In either case, ensure that you scout out potential suppliers ahead of time and check existing reviews of them to ensure that you’re dealing with someone with a good reputation like Armstrong Steel.

Base and Walls

This is the logical place to start. You’ll want to first grade and compact the soil under where you intend to situate your workshop. Once that is done, you need to make sure that everything is level; lay some heavy blocks down and leave them overnight. Check that they remain level.

Rafters and Roof Work

Notching each rafter you install will allow you to fit them more securely, and more easily. Many builders also opt to use metal hurricanes to provide even more support. In some states, this is required by local building codes, but even where it’s not, it will make your build more secure.

When it comes to choosing a material for your walls, a simple system of batten and board is inexpensive and gets the job done. Make sure to seal and paint the outfacing board to protect it against the weather.

Doors, Storage, and Work Bench

These are usually the final features to be put in place. For the doors, it is a good idea to hold them in place using clamps and then paint them and allow them to dry before putting them on hinges.

If you’re into woodworking then you’re going to need somewhere to store all your lumber while still leaving room to work in. You can help yourself here by choosing a work bench that leaves enough room underneath to use as storage. Be creative with how you arrange the space you have. Once you start really thinking about ways to creatively improve your storage space, you’ll start seeing opportunity everywhere.

Building the perfect outdoor workshop is a fun project that, while challenging, will leave any builder feeling proud and any craftsman eager to take it for a spin!

6 Simple Ideas for Outdoor Christmas Decorations

December 16, 2014 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Decorating your yard for Christmas can get expensive and time consuming. You can’t just not decorate for Christmas this year, though! Why not cut out the hard work and big price tags and use one of these simple outdoor Christmas decoration ideas instead?

Mason Jar Lighting

Recycling mason jars to use in your holiday decor is super simple and cuts out the price of buying fancy lights. One thing you can start out with is simply stuffing the jars with strings of Christmas lights and setting them up along your porch or walkway. ChristmasLightsEtc.com shares a super helpful infographic that details how to do this lighting trick, along with other ones. Using mason jars doesn’t stop there, though. If you’re ambitious and have the right materials, a holiday-inspired mason jar chandelier can brighten up your porch this Christmas season.

Image via Flickr by Chiot’s Run

Backlit Cutouts

If you don’t have a lot of money this year to spend on decorations, then taking on this simple DIY project could be just the thing for you. Simply use a jigsaw to cut out your shape, such as a snowman, Christmas tree, or Santa Claus, on a piece of plywood. Prop up the plywood in your yard in front of a light to create a backlit effect. Need more detailed instructions? Check out this guide to building your own Christmas backlit cutout.

Glowing Holiday Globes

One of the biggest contributions to your holiday decor will be the lighting you place in your front yard. Attaching string lights to your home can be a hassle, but glowing holiday globes make lighting your outdoors simple. Pick up these glowing frosted globes from nearly anywhere selling Christmas decor. Then place them around your porch or lawn to get an easy and festive effect.

You don’t want your décor to look completely random, though. Consider grouping these globes together in a bird bath or setting them up along your walkway. You can even hang them from your porch if you have the time. You can also find floating lighted globes that you can place in your pond or swimming pool to keep things bright and interesting this holiday season.

Dressed Up Door

If you don’t have the time to do anything else this year, at least put up decorations near your front door. Since that’s more or less the centerpiece of your home, it will be the first thing people notice. Start by adding a wreath to the front door, which you can easily make yourself out of twigs, evergreen branches, pinecones, and other things you might find around the house. You can also buy an inexpensive wreath from any store selling Christmas decorations.

Next, add a string of garland or lights around the perimeter of your door. For a final touch, add something simple next to the door, like a planter filled with fake candy canes or even a small Christmas tree.

Winter Evergreens

For a super simple Christmas decoration, simply put out small Christmas trees in your yard or on your porch. Just make sure to place them strategically so that they’re aesthetically pleasing. Use real or fake trees, and put them in planters to keep them upright. If you have the time, add a few strings of lights and maybe even some ornaments to the trees. If you already have an evergreen or two living in your yard, all you need to do is dress it up with some lights and you’ll be good to go.

Holiday Bench Decor

Do you have a bench sitting on your front porch? Chances are no one’s going to be using it during the chilly weather. Why not put that surface to use? All you need for your holiday bench decor is a selection of evergreen branches, pinecones, and ornaments. Arrange these objects on the bench until you’re pleased with the holiday spirit they bring to your front porch. If you want to add an extra touch to the mix, sprinkle a light dusting of snow atop the arrangement.

Which one of these ideas will you use to decorate your yard or porch this holiday season?