…And by it of course, we mean your new deck. 

Have you ever felt a supernatural affinity for a more blissful outdoor living space?  Have you ever run across a deck, in someone else’s backyard, off the house of a neighbor, that just plain spoke to you?  It might have even said ‘Carl-you need a deck like me in your yard!’ 

All exaggerations aside, you’re not alone.  And you can interpret this as a clear sign from the deck gods that you need a deck to echo who you are, ehnhance your quality of life, and reflect what is uniquely you about your  home.  Afterall, if you build it, they  will come. 

And by they we mean your freinds, family members, neighbors, and all kinds of well wishers lured by the power of your new deck.   And if the deck gods are feeling especially benevolent, they will also come bearing coolers of frost brewed beverages to make for the summer you’ve been dreaming about. 

Barbeques, brews, hot tubs- whatever kind of deck speaks to you is the kind of deck you might want to start looking at.  We also suggest standing in your yard, where you envision your new masterpiece, or on your existing deck, if you have one, in an attempt to commune with the deck gods to determine what kind of deck might be right for you.  What do you envision, while standing on your humble strip of grass?  Of course if inspiration dosen’t strike you, you could also just take a look at some of these divine decks:

Photo Credit: ArtDecks

Photo Credit: Skirrow Design Build

Photo Credit: Austin Ornamental

Photo Credit: DeKing

Looking for a way to spice up your backyard landscape this summer? One of our favorite ideas is to install a brand new hot tub. You can enjoy a hot tub all year long, but during the nicer summer months you may appreciate it the most.

A hot tub can provide a new social center for you and your friends, or even for your kids and theirs. And, it’s not just a great social addition to your backyard, a hot tub also has a number of health benefits that come along with regular use. 

Here are some great reasons for installing a hot tub that you might not have thought about:

1. A hot tub offers the ability to unwind and relax, reducing stress that can cause health problems. Soaking in a hot tub is the perfect solution for counteracting stress. 
2.  Adding a hot tub can add value to your home, and grab the attention of potential home buyers.
3. A hot tub could help you sleep better. Some studies have shown that by immersing yourself in hot water for 15 minutes before bedtime, your body temperature rises and enhances your ability to fall asleep faster.
4. A hot tub is a versatile landscape design option. It’s a great feature for entertaining friends or having a party. Yet it can also be perfect for simply having a quiet night at home with the family.
5. Relaxing in a hot tub can help relieve aching muscles and overall stiffness in the body.
6. You can customize your hot tub for your special needs: try adding a refrigerator, or a TV with surround sound. Whatever you think you might want, it’s probably possible to include it in your hot tub design.

Maybe it’s just the fact that I don’t have a yard, but this time of year fills me with a serious case of Yard Envy.  The options for creating something unique to reflect your landscaping vision are virtually endless. 

I could channel a coastal feel with sea grass, stone and recycled hurricane lanterns, or maybe a tropical paradise with imported palms and new guinea impatients - the plants, the rock, the fire pits and chimineas, the decking material…the options are incredible and inspiring:

People are starting to turn their outdoor spaces into so much more than yards and its exciting to see them becoming the spaces for entertaining, relaxing, cooking, and counting stars.  

Landscaping can be a stressful burden for a lot of homeowners I realize, but I still can’t help coveting the lovely yards I see around, and harboring some envy at all the opportunity they have to exercise their passions and take their yards wherever they please.

Photo Credit: Paradise Costa Rica

I realize too what I like about so many of these ‘yards’ is the rising lack of grass.  Less grass is great for a lot of reasons but it also means less water, which means more environmentally friendly! There are so many turf free routes to take with your outdoor space, check it out:

http://urbanecosystems.net/index.php?job=urbanecoportfolio

If you want to enjoy your yard more, and have less yard work to do on the grass, these ideas seem like the way to go, especially if you’re looking to reduce your eco-footprint at the same time.