Project of the Month: September 2014
September 15, 2014 Project of the MonthClick on the image to discover the details of this traditional project in Sugar Land.
Click on the image to discover the details of this traditional project in Sugar Land.
Click on the image below to see details of this patio cover and room addition in Cypress.
Click on the image to discover the details of this gorgeous project in Houston.
As our focus turns toward mothers this month, we want to stop and honor the women in our lives. Her job is never done and she does it with such love. She deserves a chance to take it outdoors and relax in a beautiful space. We chose this collection of gift ideas for her to give her even more enjoyment in her own back yard.
Why we love it: This gift says, “relax and put your feet up” all over it. It’s both stylish and durable for outdoor use. Sometimes she simply needs permission to take a break. You’ll give her permission to rest and a comfy spot to do so.
Why we love it: These wine glasses are shatter resistant, but they are designed to look like traditional glassware. Whether it’s a family dinner on the patio or a gathering with her girlfriends, these BPA-free stemless glasses are perfect for Outdoor Style entertaining.
Why we love it: It’s a green gift in more ways than one! The kit comes with plenty of succulents and instructions for planting. The frame is handmade from recycled wood and designed to either hang on a wall or fence or lay on a table as a living centerpiece. Succulents are easy to care for and ideal for busy people – like mom!
Why we love it: It’s made of cedar which happens to be one of our favorite materials for building custom patios. Cedar is weather resistant, so this mat will stand up to the elements. The doormat is well-crafted so it will also stand up to the foot traffic. You can customize the message for a unique and thoughtful gift.
Why we love it: She’ll have two new bottles to enjoy on the patio each month hand selected by a connoisseur who tastes 400 varieties of wine each month. They take the guesswork out of choosing a good bottle of nice wine, freeing her up to enjoy the fruit of the vine with family or friends.
Why we love it: She loves to throw a good party and music is essential for setting the mood. This bluetooth speaker requires no wires, so it’s easy to set up in an instant. It pours out music 360º around for massive sound on all sides. It has a subwoofer built right inside. And bonus, it’s water-resistant. If she’s the coolest mom around, this is the Outdoor Style gift for her.
Why we love it: L.L. Bean says this hammock has been a customer favorite for over 30 years. No doubt! There is a certain type of relaxation that only happens in a hammock. It’s almost as if a nap is a requirement. She works hard. She deserves it!
Why we love it: She’ll look cute and be cool and comfortable on the patio in this personalized hat and tank set.
Why we love it: She’ll be able to serve up a cool and refreshing beverage all summer long right on the patio with this drink stand. Fewer trips to the kitchen = more outdoor style relaxing and talking.
Why we love it: She’ll feel glamorous when she reclines on this double-lounger. She can’t help but nap, read or soak up some rays on this chaise lounge… which is exactly the kind of Outdoor Style living we were looking for!
Why we love it: Hand-blown from 100% recycled glass, these orbs each contain a solar-powered LED light that allow her to enjoy the enchanting swirls after dark. It’s a beautiful addition to the garden surrounding her patio.
Which item in this gift guide would the woman in your life most want? Tell us in the comments below!
Adding a stylish outdoor living space is undoubtably a significant investment. We get to see the return on that investment every day as homeowners increase the value of their lifestyle by creating a space to take time out for the important things in life. Here’s a list of 50 great reasons to add Outdoor Style to YOUR backyard:
A place to let them watch the game outside while you commandeer the living room TV with your show
If you think your backyard living could use an Outdoor Style upgrade, we’d love to talk with you. Contact us for a free consultation at (281) 265-1994 or send us a message via our website.
The back-to-school frenzy is in full swing. The holidays are just around the corner. Gone are summer vacations. Calendars are fully engaged. It’s enough to raise your blood pressure a bit, isn’t it?
Before hypertension sets in, I have a few suggestions for how you can take this new season in stride. Around here, we focus a lot on Outdoor Style.
Outdoor Style has a lot more to do with attitude, mindset and way of life than it does materials and designs. Don’t misunderstand, we love beautiful outdoor living spaces around here. We pour ourselves into creating them! But, what we really love is the living that can be done in an outdoor spaces.
Set the patio table and enjoy a meal outdoors. There is something extraordinary about eating outside that causes us to take a deep breath and savor the moment.
Grab a few people and play a board game on the patio. Choose a game with heavier pieces or that won’t easily blow away in a gust of wind. Jenga, Dominoes or Pictionary are suitable choices for outdoor fun.
Put the kids to bed and have an informal outdoor party with other moms. Give the evening a catchy name, such as Moms and Merlot. There are many lighthearted choices that employ alliteration here: Moms and Margaritas, Mojitos, Mimosas, Martinis, even Mocktails or simply, Moms and Munchies. (Try these snack recipes: Caesar Dip, Rosemary Roasted Nuts and White Chocolate & Blackberry S’mores) With a couple of snacks, a signature beverage and a place to chat, the girls will all come away refreshed and recharged!
Some might say there are no seasons in Texas, I’d argue that the seasons are spring, summer and football. Whether you’re a fan of college football or the pros, take the viewing party outside.
Make a date. Pour a couple of coffees or iced teas and take a moment outside for a chat with someone who matters to you.
Put your down time on the calendar. Being intentional about planning time for pause is sometimes the only way to protect the hours or days from becoming over-scheduled.
How will you slow down this week? I’d love to hear your plans for taking this new season in stride Outdoor Style in the comments below!
As our focus turns toward fathers this month, we want to stop and honor the men in our lives. Whether he’s a grill master, a fire starter, the team’s biggest fan, a connoisseur of beers, a gadget guy or a just hard-working man, we all have one thing in common: a love for taking it outdoors and relaxing in a beautiful space. We chose this collection of gift ideas for him to give him even more enjoyment in his own back yard.
Why we love it: This is a bottle opener that knows it’s simply awesome. Its ingenious design allows you to pop bottle tops without bending the caps. And the built-in magnet holds the bottle cap, keeping it from bouncing and rolling on the patio. It’s designed to last. Take a look at their Kickstarter video and you’ll see a glimpse of their passion for slowing down and capturing the moments with family and friends, one popped bottle at a time.
Why we love it: If he’s a fire starter, this gadget will turn him into an outdoor confection superhero, serving up six perfectly toasted, ooey-gooey s’mores at once. It’s delicious and efficient!
Why we love it: If he’s a baseball-lover, he’ll feel like he hit a home run stepping out onto Home Plate on his patio. Warning: he may try to start the wave or slide into the back door.
Why we love it: Lifeproof makes a case that is water proof, dirt proof and shock proof, which eliminates most of the hazards of taking his iPhone out on the patio. The case is waterproof up to 6.5 feet for up to 30 minutes. When paired with the Lifeproof LifeJacket, it floats! Now he can play Candy Crush and Angry Birds while relaxing poolside. (Requires Lifeproof Case.)
Why we love it:This handmade beer tote was made from reclaimed redwood beams. Since it’s water-proof and weather proof, it is a perfect candidate for taking out back. It’s nostalgic design reminds us of the slower pace of days gone by.
Why we love it: You can’t go wrong when you combine delicious chocolate with his favorite team. He can indulge while watching the big game on the patio. If collegiate ball is his thing, you can customize for his favorite University with the My M&M’s tool. Don’t worry, we checked! They have both maroon AND orange to keep you Aggies and Longhorns at peace.
Why we love it: L.L. Bean says this hammock has been a customer favorite for over 30 years. No doubt! There is a certain type of relaxation that only happens in a hammock. It’s almost as if a nap is a requirement. He works hard. He deserves it!
Why we love it: First of all, this 34″ wall sign is custom made right here in Texas. Personalize it with his family name, his favorite team, his hometown or anything he loves (up to 16 characters). It is designed to last for years outside, so it’s a great way for him to declare his outdoor space as his own.
Why we love it: These ingenious little charms will hold tight to steaks as he flips and moves them around the grill, making dinner a little less like a game of shells and more of a sure thing. It is important business when it comes to how you like your steaks prepared! On a serious note, this is a great tool for marking pieces prepared for special health or allergy needs.
Why we love it: He can add his signature style to the dishes he prepares with the satisfying sizzle of the rockin’ dad design. It’s almost like he’s signing your steak, “Prepared with love forever, Dad.”
Why we love it: Not only is this soft suede set a perfect compliment to the Rockin’ Dad Branding Iron, it is protective against the hazards of grilling. Personalize it with a custom branded monogram with his initials or up to three letters. It’s an apron set fit for the King of the Grill!
For generations, there has been an energy surrounding swing sets, slides, see-saws and merry-go-rounds that attracts both the young and the young-at-heart. These things may not be considered traditional outdoor furniture, but these are the fixtures that your kids will enjoy the most.
So if you are thinking of revamping your outdoor space to install a play area for your children, here are some of the things you should consider:
1. Check the play area – The space where you will install or build your children’s play set will have to be canvassed and scanned thoroughly. This area should be clear of any hazardous items, loose rocks, nails, and other accident-prone debris. It also has to be a spot where you can see them from inside the house so you can keep a watchful eye when they are up and about.
A play area in the grass of this backyard would offer entertainment for the kids while the grown-ups lounge in the outdoor living area.
2. Choose kid-friendly materials – Kids can be very experimental with their surroundings, especially during the toddler stage. They will put anything in their mouths, and this can cause serious health issues. Never use or purchase materials that have lead in it. Check the labels just to be sure.
When purchasing play sets, check for any loose screws or bolts that easily come off. These are potential choking hazard for small children. Worse, kids can get cuts and bruises as a result of poorly-constructed sets.
3. Double check the quality of the play set – Play sets are constructed with children’s safety in mind. However, being a parent, it is also your responsibility to set your own safety standards.
Check and re-check the whole set to see if there are any sharp edges. If there are, make sure that they can be covered with rubber to make it safer for children to use. Installing a rubber mat at the bottom of the slide will also help your child have a smooth and softer landing spot.
4. Install safety railings – If the set you are purchasing includes a slide, your children will have to climb up to reach it. This is an accident waiting to happen, especially if you have small children running around and pushing each other to get to the top. Install safety railings to keep them from falling down.
5. Schedule regular maintenance – Conduct weekly checks if the set needs repairs. Any loose part should be immediately repaired and attached. Dangling ropes should also be carefully attached.
Play areas help keep the kids entertained while you relax on the patio or bbq in your outdoor kitchen. As long as these play areas are safe, they’ll make the backyard a fun place for the whole family.
Ashleigh Lynn is a writer for Open Brook, an excellent source of information and reviews about patio, garden and outdoor furniture .
I have a lot of experience with construction and renovations, so some contractors find me annoying at best. My outdoor living project was larger than I was able to take on as it entailed adding an outdoor living area, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom with a fireplace and fire pit. It’s built onto an existing structure with a tile roof in a seamless manner. The completed project is amazing, and was featured in the Houzz project of the month for December 2013. It was a very large project so it took a long time to complete, however the process was absolutely painless. In my previous experiences, I have always had issues with miscommunications and added costs, among other things. My experience with Texas Custom Patios included NONE of these issues. The finished project far exceeded my expectations. The workmanship was superior, and the quality of the products is top of the line. I truly highly recommend them.