Outdoor Environments Blog

Image via Potter Barn.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recently reported their Top Outdoor Living Trends for 2012.

• Grills. 97.4 percent of respondents stated that grills are popular.
• Outdoor living spaces. 91.5 percent said outdoor living spaces were popular, and they associated these spaces with outdoor kitchens and entertainment.
• Terraces, patios, decks. The most popular outdoor structures were terraces, patios, and decks.

ASLA was founded in 1899 as the national professional association for landscape architects, representing over 17,000 members. ASLA’s mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the stewardship, planning, and skilled design of our cultural and natural environments.

According to a recent survey by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), outdoor living remains popular, and with that has come more interest in property enhancements. In the first quarter of 2012, interest in outdoor living space increased, with almost two-thirds of architects surveyed stating that outdoor living space, covered outdoor space, and outdoor rooms are increasingly popular.

Decks, porches, and patios are often accompanied by low-maintenance, low-irrigation landscaping. Other popular and sustainable features are rainwater catchment systems, gray water reuse, and green landscaped fencing options (bushes, trees, hedges).

—

To make your outdoor living space popular, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Overland Park. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Arbors add form and function to a home, helping to shade residents from this hot weather we are having in Kansas City.

Arbor by Outdoor Environments

Arbors help prevent glare and support the vines that provide shade. The arbor above, by Outdoor Environments in Overland Park, incorporates seating and planters into its architectural design. The arbor provides a transitional space between indoors and out, and coordinates with the railing. An outdoor environment is about more than square footage. Outdoor space should be divided into distinct and practical zones for a variety of activities.

Image via Outdoor Environments

For Kansas City decks, arbors, and more: contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Overland Park. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

An interesting article in The Kansas City Star had tips on fixing peeling deck

deck paint

paint, and we’ve boiled these tips and others down to five easy steps.

• Step 1: Remove as much of the loose paint as possible with a wire brush.
• Step 2: Use an orbital sander to remove the rest of the peeling paint.
• Step 3: Sand again using a 150-220 grit sandpaper.
• Step 4: Clean the deck, perhaps with a power-washer.
• Step 5: Apply a wood primer and finally, paint.

Even though the word theme has gotten a bad wrap in the past decade, there really is something to be said for choosing a consistent concept out of design history. The Monet Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a perfect example of this inspired design. After all, timeless beauty should be able to translate from Giverny to Kansas City.

Image via Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. (Flickr)

The Italian influence of the Brookwood Fountain is echoed in the formal partere garden that surrounds it.

Image via KC Fountains

Spanish influence is seen in the “Court of Lions Fountain,” which was inspired by the Alhambra Court of Lions fountain in Seville. The niche behind the fountain echoes the historical theme.

Image via kcfountains.com

At Powell Gardens, the Quilt Gardens (part of the Heartland Harvest Garden) was inspired by the Chateau Villandry outside Paris. There is a different pattern in each quadrant.

Image via Powell Gardens

A lush, overflowing planter can soften the architectural lines of a deck or patio. Here are examples of lush planters from across the nation.

• Los Angeles. This avant-garde contemporary design by L.A.-based planter specialist Urban Nature incorporates flora suited for that climate.

Urban Nature image via plusmood.com

• New York. A variety of colors and textures play off of each other in this arrangment. This creator of this planter, by Sweet Dirt Designs, trained at the New York Botanical Garden.

Image via Sweet Dirt Designs

• Warm, Dry climates. This low-maintenance succulent planter was celebrated on Apartment Therapy. The container should have soil that is not too dense, and very little water is needed.

Image via Apartment Therapy

• St. Louis. This window-mounted planter, shown in Midwest Living Magazine, has European influence and provides greenery both above and below.

Image via Midwest Living

Multi-level decks have practical and aesthetic benefits that make them well-suited for for Kansas and other environs. Here are some of the advantages of multi-level decks:

• Maximize space. Building up adds square footage without taking up more property. At Outdoor Environments, we angle each deck level to take advantage of views and sunlight.

Outdoor Environments

• Protect lower level. The bottom of the top deck serves as a roof for the lower deck, protecting it from rain, snow, and glare.

Outdoor Environments

• Entertaining. Multi-level decks enable guests to travel from one amenity to the other. An evening can consist of bar followed by pool followed by hot tub. These multiple tiers also add architectural interest, especially to exterior walls with few windows.

Outdoor Environments

We love reading about outdoor environments almost as much as we love creating them. Here are some top publications that we look forward to reading every month.

• Kansas City Home & Garden shows a variety of distinctive landscapes.
• Qualified Remodeler gives technical details about industry trends. It has been showing a lot of outdoor kitchens lately (see below), which we enjoy.

Image via Qualified Remodeler

• Architectural Digest shows landscapes next to bold architecture. For example, it had a great article on an East Hampton home by Leroy Street Studio (image below).

Image via Architectural Digest. Photo: Adrian Wilson

• Southern Living brings gracious living to families nationwide.

Image via Southern Living

For lush backyards, porches, and more, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

Those of us with fond memories of gathering ’round the campfire, roating ‘smores or cooking hot dogs, appreciate the opportunity to pass along the tradition with outdoor fire pits. Here are some looks that inspire:

• Raised stone fire pit. Outdoor Environments designed this fire pit with plenty of space around it for entertaining, including different types of seating. Safety is ensured by lighting and a non-slip, fireproof brick surround on the deck.

Outdoor Environments

• Fire pit table. Better Homes and Gardens featured this combination fire pit, grill, and coffee table from Restoration Hardware.

Image via Better Homes and Gardens

Solus Decor

For distinctive fire pits and more, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.

“As one flame lights another, without loosing its light,

so friendship spreads  friendship”.

Summer is the perfect time to gather outside with friends and family around a fire pit or table. Here are some creative outdoor candles to create atmosphere with ease.

• Restoration Hardware‘s new Mediterranean Coast collection has scents of  cypress, salt air, oak moss, wood, and eucalyptus.

Image via Restoration Hardware

• Anthropologie‘s Porridge Stack Candle has bohemian design and fresh, springy scents. It is made of coconut wax, and has tones of coconut, jasmine, and gardenia.

Image via Anthropologie

• Gump’s Shou Votive Holders Set makes a great hostess gift, and accommodates regular tea lights.

Image via Gump's

—
For a pleasant family gathering space, contact Outdoor Environments, a certified contractor in Kansas City. Visit us online at www.outdoorenvironments.com or call 913-897-2706.