Category Archives:
Fire Pit or Fireplace?
If you are planning a fire feature for your patio, you may ask yourself “Should we get a fire pit or fireplace?” Both are great additions to any outdoor space that create a friendly atmosphere that gives off both light and warmth. While cost is typically a question (and can sometimes be the deciding factor)
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-october-fire-pit-or-fireplace/Don’t Let Your Garden Fall Apart
The end of the summer is here and the kids are back in school. With fall just around the corner, take advantage of the weeks ahead to plan your end of season upkeep routine, before the *gasp* holiday madness begins. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your yard work maintenance.
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-september-don-t-let-your-garden-fall-apart/Creating a Secret Garden, Right in Your Own Backyard
They are said to be magical. Ever since Frances Hodgson Burnett first penned A Secret Garden in 1909, young and old alike have been fascinated with secret gardens. These smaller gardens enchant us by allowing us to create a small fantasy world right in our own backyard. The good news is creating a secret garden is relatively
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-july-creating-a-secret-garden-right-in-your-own-backyard/The Benefits of Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete
So you’ve decided to create an outdoor living space! After deciding the size of your new patio, you’ll need to select the type of material to use. The good news is, you’re not limited to the poured concrete patios of yesteryear that stain and crack after just a few short years because one rough season
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-june-the-benefits-of-pavers-vs-stamped-concrete/Sloping property? Retaining Walls Could Be Your Answer
Retaining walls are solid structures designed to prevent soil erosion and hold land back when there is a drastic change in elevation. They help to stabilize the land and can prevent mudslides and home foundation shifts. (Think of basement walls, they act as retaining walls.) Most any home improvement will increase your home’s value, but
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-june-sloping-property-retaining-walls-could-be-your-answer/Hearth and Home
It cannot be argued, there’s just something spectacular about backyards that have a fire feature. Family and friends have been gathering around camp fires and fire pits for years, and homeowners are taking their outdoor spaces up a notch by incorporating custom outdoor fireplaces into their landscape designs. Outdoor fireplaces are easily integrated into both
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-april-hearth-and-home/Ready for a Landscape Update? Two Can’t Miss Tips
So, you’ve gotten all the weeds cleaned out of the garden, and fed and reseeded the yard. While you were in the middle of this early-spring maintenance, you may have noticed that your landscape overall needs some TLC. Do you feel you could use borders or walkways between your garden and yard? Maybe you noticed
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-april-ready-for-a-landscape-update-two-can-t-miss-tips/5+ Basic Design Principles for your Patio
So the weather is finally cooperating and it’s time to enjoy the outdoors once again. Whether you’re completing a new patio or updating an existing one, the final touches can make all the difference in your end result. Much the same as an interior room makeover, elements such as lighting, furniture, accessories and décor will
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-march-5plus-basic-design-principles-for-your-patio/Have a Small(er) Backyard? The Art of Petite Gardens
All too often, homeowners think that because they have a small or moderate backyard that they are limited to just a patch of grass and perhaps a bird bath. Not true. In fact, to really enjoy gardens, they need to be right under your nose, and smaller backyards are just the place to get closer
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-march-have-a-small-er-backyard-the-art-of-petite-gardens/Home Design: Veranda or a Porch, Which do you Want?
We’ve all heard the term veranda in movies, and perhaps even envisioned ourselves on one sipping a mint julep or two. Although this word is most commonly heard in the South in relationship to home design or even on cruise ships, it may surprise you to know that if you are thinking of adding a
https://ephenry.com/blog-2014-march-home-design-veranda-or-a-porch-which-do-you-want/