Perfecting the Great Outdoors

In the past few years there has been a trend of moving living spaces from the inside out. People are integrating outdoor living into their daily lives and are creating fully functional and furnished outdoor living rooms. This time spent outdoors has contributed to the increase the creation of outdoor kitchens with all of the bells and whistles found in interior gourmet kitchens are now present outside. Pizza ovens, ice makers, grilling stations, Viking appliances and wine refrigerators are just some of the things you are bound to find outdoors as part of this new trend. 

You can’t forget to have your outdoor spaced staged if you are in the market to sell. It surprises me how many homeowners will remodel a kitchen or bathroom, only to completely neglect the outdoor space. According to realtor.org, 90% of homebuyers used the internet as an information source in their home search compared with 87% who utilized a real estate agent and 40% who found a home for sale from a newsapaper ad. Those are some compelling statistics! Make sure the listing of your home show clearly defined and appealing pictures, including the outdoor space.

Not every home will have top of the line outdoor kitchen or living room, but it is essential to make sure the area is neat, well maintained and appealing.

I am actually in the process of redoing the outdoor space in my home and have come across some great spaces as inspiration.

This is a restaurant patio in Austin, TX, but I love the use of the lights strung across from the trees across the dining area. It provides an intimate setting at night as well as defines the space.

I love, love, love the use of canopies in this outdoor space.  Living in the desert, any opportunity to incorporate shade into an outdoor space is taken.

Who doesn’t want an outdoor fireplace? I love this space because of the incorporation of an outdoor seating area, right in front of the fire, perfect for end of summer get togethers.

Do you have a favorite feature of your outdoor living space? Share them here!

Everything’s Coming Up Roses: Las Vegas in Full Bloom

I mentioned a few days ago on Twitter that I had taken pictures of some flowers that are in gorgeous bloom these days.

What I did not mention is that the pictures that I took are of blooms here in my own garden!  I was fortunate enough to inherit from the previous owners of our home, a garden full of roses, iris, bougevilla, and even tulips.

Just wanted to share with all of you, and also give proof that Spring is in full bloom– even in Las Vegas!

 

 

Weekend Project: When Dripping is a Good Thing

Ah…choo!

Yes, Spring is in the air.  The tickle in my nose and the prevalence of tissue boxes around the house tell me so.  If you are like me, now is the time you are thinking about getting your outside landscaping and irrigation in order before the 100 degree weather.

Drip irrigation is useful here in the valley as many home lasndscapes tend to be xeriscape/ desert landscaping.  Xeriscape, in addition to being water/drought/earth friendly, is also user friendly.  In addition to xeriscape, drip irrigation is great for use on patios and container gardens as well.  You can do no wrong with a drip irrigation system!  Just make sure that your hoses and emitters are in good working order.

If you are new to drip irrigation or have some small repairs or modifications to make and don’t where to start, don’t fret.  Our gal with Garden Girl TV has got you covered.