Tag Archives: Kansas

Construction of a Four-Season Room

We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of building a four-season room, especially so you can enjoy the outdoors during the cooler winter months. Today we wanted to show you the work that goes into building a four-season room– Outdoor Environments’ style.

Outdoor Environments Four-Season Room

Here we are framing the four-season room and installing the roof for our clients.

Outdoor Environments Four-Season Room

Now onto the interior gable vault framing for the room.

Outdoor Environments Four-Season Room

Adding the finishing touches to the exterior of the room.

Outdoor Environments Four-Season Room

An interior shot of new four-season room. The door replaced an existing window.

Outdoor Environments Four-Season Room

The finished vaulted ceiling.

Outdoor Environments Four-Season Room

The four-season room was a great addition to our client’s existing home. If you’d like to add on to your home and live in either Kansas or Missouri then give Outdoor Environments a call at 913.897.2706.

Shop now for your outdoors

You finally have the outdoor living area of your dreams now all you need to do is accessorize to add your own personal style to the space. We know that you probably aren’t enjoying the area as much as you’d like since the weather here in Kansas has turned colder, but that doesn’t mean that come spring you can have the perfect place to lounge outside. Now is a great time to buy outdoor furniture and accessories with all the holiday sales and discounts. We have pulled together a few of our favorite must have accessories for your outdoor environments.

If you haven’t already done so you’ll need to purchase your patio or deck furniture. We love the look of this room below from House Beautiful. This outdoor living room is like another extension of your home.

From House Beautiful

Add a pop of color to your outdoors with these below accessories. The pillow and rugs will surely bring some needed pizzazz to any neutral palette. And the candles and lanterns are also a must have for your outdoors.

via Shelterpop

We’d love to hear any deals you have seen on outdoor furniture.

Plan Ahead with Outdoor Environments

You’ve probably haven’t had a chance to enjoy your outdoor living space since the weather has turned colder in Kansas, but you can always plan ahead and make the necessary arrangements to ensure that you have your own private oasis come spring time. At Outdoor Environments we can create for you the perfect porch, deck, 3 or 4-season room, arbor, outdoor kitchen area, spa enclosure and more.

Give us a call at 913-897-2706 or visit us online at OutdoorEnvironments.com to learn how you can get the outdoor living space you always dreamed of.

See photos of some of our work below.

Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Environments

Time to Light Your Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits

The weather here in Kansas has definitely turned colder. The evenings are producing temperatures right around 50 degrees so go ahead and light your outdoor fireplace or fire pit. Nothing is better than a warm, inviting fire on a crisp fall evening while you lounge beneath the stars.

If you are looking to purchase an outdoor fireplace or fire pit than let Outdoor Environments help find you the perfect match. We can take a look at your current outdoor living space and see which would work best for your home. There are many things to consider when purchasing an outdoor fire pit or fireplace. You’ll first need to check your local codes and laws regarding outdoor air quality. Some areas prohibit wood-burning fireplaces.

For more information call Outdoor Environments at 913-897-2706.

Plan Your Last Barbecue Before School Starts

Schools are starting back this month and summer break is beginning to wind down in Kansas. We might have a couple of months left of warm weather before fall sets in, but with school in session, our outdoor living will be reduced to a couple of hours on the weekend.

Outdoor Kitchen by Outdoor Environments

 

Make the most of summer by hosting a back-to-school barbecue and fire up the grill with this delicious recipe from the Food Network.

The Neely’s Kansas City Style Pork Ribs
Ingredients

  • 2 slabs pork spare ribs, 3 pounds each
  • Kansas City Barbeque Sauce, recipe follows

Dry Rub:

  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Remove the thin white membrane off of the bone-side of the ribs. Mix together the brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Massage the rub into the ribs and let sit for 1 hour or up to overnight.If cooking on the grill, place the ribs meat-side down next to medium-hot coals that are about 225° F. The indirect heat will cook them slower, making them tender. Allow to cook for 1 hour. Turn ribs every half hour and baste with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce. Cook until the ribs are tender, about 3 to 4 hours.  

If cooking indoors, place in a roasting pan with a rack. Slather the ribs with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce and tent a piece of aluminum foil over them. In a preheated 350° F. oven, place the ribs, basting with the sauce every 30 minutes and removing the foil for the last 30 minutes and cooking until fork tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Kansas City Barbeque Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (about 2/3 cup)small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup (2 (6-ounce) cans) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a small sauce pot on medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion, cooking until translucent.

Add the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add to sauce pan and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Use to baste the pork spare ribs.

Yield: 3 cups

Great Ideas for your Deck Decor!

One big mistake that homeowners often commit is over-looking their decks and patios.  Decks are very important to the design of a home.  You should think of your deck or patio as another room in your home, just outdoors.  Adding some visual appeal to your deck can tremendously increase your backyard experience!

Midwest Living created “10 Ideas to Dress Up Your Deck.”  The list of ideas provide you with great inspiration to get started on your home’s deck.

Here are a few tips from the list provided by Midwest Living.

1. Focus on Furniture

When decorating your deck, start with the furniture.  These pieces will take up the most space and should be used as focal points.  Using a minimal amount of furniture  is a great way to maximize your outdoor living space.  The idea is to design, not clutter, your backyard escape.

2. Get Creative with Cushions

Pillows are a great addition to your outdoor living spaces.  Choosing multi-purpose pillows that are suitable for chairs or for sitting on the deck itself can stretch your dollars very far!  Use your cushions to tie in the design elements of your deck.

3. Add Some Greenery

Not only do plants add a splash of color to your deck, they provide privacy from your nearby neighbors.  Getting plants that are at least 5 ft. tall can act as a privacy screen for your deck.  Place the plants on the edge of your deck to get the full privacy affect.

4. Splash Some Color

There are several ways to add color to your deck.  The patterns and fabrics in your furniture are great starts for color.  The color scheme can be tied in through plants, painted terra-cotta plant pots, and wall art.  Personalize your deck with beautiful splashes of color.

Don’t let your deck or patio go unnoticed.  A little bit of design can go a long way!

Click here for more ideas on how you can decorate your deck.

Be Prepared this Tornado Season

DID YOU KNOW Kansas ranks #4 in terms of total number of tornados?  Situated in “Tornado Alley“, a broad region where cold air from the Rocky Mountains and Canada collides with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico, leads to the formation of powerful storms.  A tornado can strike in a matter of seconds and one needs to know where to seek shelter.  A basement, a bathroom without windows, a closet under stairs are all places that might be able to protect you if a tornado strikes your home, but the safest place would be the DuPont StormRoom with KEVLAR. The DuPont StormRoom, engineered to withstand over 70,000 pounds of debris, meets FEMA requirements and can endure a F5 tornado.

Not your typical concrete bunker, this StormRoom can be a functional room during any season. With a little wiring and plumbing you can turn your shelter into a laundry room or home office.  Outdoor Environments can install the DuPont StormRoom in your new or existing home in just a few days.  The best part is that it is the only shelter that can be installed above ground or in the basement.

Be prepared this tornado season and call Outdoor Environments now for more details The DuPont StormRoom.  You can also check out the installation process of our StormRooms on our Facebook Fan page here.