Category Archives:
5 Tips for Extending your Outdoor Living Season
The outdoor living trend is here to stay, and homeowners are enjoying their “ceiling-less” home additions well past the Labor Day weekend. 1) Outdoor Heating: Once only found in restaurant settings, outdoor heaters have come way down in price over the last few years. They come in all sizes, styles, and mounts; including table top, wall and
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-september-5-tips-for-extending-your-outdoor-living-season/DIY Hardscaping Tips for Paver Installation
Make no mistake, tackling a DIY paver project is not an easy task and will require assistance from friends and/or family. However, enterprising folks can get the job done and the results and return on investment are well worth it. Just as with any do-it-yourself home improvement project, you’ll need to research paver installation before
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-september-diy-hardscaping-tips-for-paver-installation/Aquatic Ambiance: Tips To incorporate a Water Feature into Your Backyard
Dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, water fountains have been a part of our lives for a very long time. Long before everyone had indoor plumbing, people flocked to community fountains to collect safe water for drinking, cooking and washing. Constructed over a spring or connected to an aqueduct, these early water
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-august-aquatic-ambiance-tips-to-incorporate-a-water-feature-into-your-backyard/Adding Curb Appeal with Pavers and Plants
If you live in a residential neighborhood and have a home with a front yard, chances are you have some sort of walkway to the front or side door. Whether it is a no-nonsense straight walkway, or a casual, winding garden path, it serves as your home’s “first impression”. Check out these tips if your
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-august-adding-curb-appeal-with-pavers-and-plants/Tips on Working with a Larger Landscape Design Plan
‘Tis the season to be outside! Summer has officially begun, and by now you’ve probably broken out the furniture and cleaned off the patio pavers. Over the years, landscape design has come to include patios that are a true extension of the home. Cooking outside on the grill has evolved into full outdoor kitchen installations;
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-july-tips-on-working-with-a-larger-landscape-design-plan/How Outdoor Kitchens are Changing How We Have Barbecues
Gone are the days of Dad standing lonely in the backyard as he grills chicken, burgers and dogs on a gas or charcoal grill while the party-goers swim, play volleyball or yard darts (remember those?). Today’s barbecues are full-day events that revolve around the cook and his craft, with the food prep and grilling a
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-july-how-outdoor-kitchens-are-changing-how-we-have-barbecues/John Adam’s Independence Day Party Ideas
While he was off by two days with his prediction, John Adams definitely had the right idea about how to celebrate Independence Day. John Adams, in a letter to his wife, Abigail: “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-july-john-adam-s-independence-day-party-ideas/Get Your Splash On-It’s Pool Party Time!
If you have a pool, chances are you’ll either be hosting a children’s pool party birthday celebration or an adult only cocktail party, this summer season. Maybe even both. You can either send out formal invitations or invite your guests by word-of-mouth, either way, you’ll need to plan and set up your outdoor living area and pool
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-july-get-your-splash-on-it-s-pool-party-time/Lowering the Cost of Curb Appeal
The weed-free, green lawn that dominates landscape design in suburban America today didn’t exist until the late 18th century. Our forefathers were the original organic gardeners with front “yards” that were much smaller and they were functional in nature. America’s extreme temperatures allowed homeowners to grow seasonal vegetables and herbs, and the thought of taking
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-june-lowering-the-cost-of-curb-appeal/Rock Solid Ideas for Dad this Father’s Day
It is estimated that American’s spend more than $1 billion in Father’s Day each year. Standard gifts are sporting goods, socks, neckties, and the ever popular “World’s Best Dad” mug. While all of these are heartfelt gifts, this Father’s Day, why not take it outside and turn it up a notch? Here are a few
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-june-rock-solid-ideas-for-dad-this-father-s-day/