|
It used to be a patch of green
grass was enough, but today's homeowners want a
finished patio area. And not just any design will
do; more and more people are asking for unusual
shapes with built in hot tubs or with children's
play areas incorporated into the design. Patios have
become another room, a place where we entertain,
cook and relax.
Arbors are enjoying a renewed
interest. I remember my Grandfather's arbor simply
covered with climbing roses in mid-summer. A walk in
his garden was a joy beyond comparison. It was a
wooden structure back then, painted white, to show
off the beautiful red roses. Today, arbors come in
all sorts of materials, some that never need
painting!
What's great about today's
backyards is the variety in texture that is created
by using different materials for different purposes,
e.g. pressure-treated wood for the main part of the
patio just off the house and interlocking bricks for
the part that leads to the pool. Don't you just love
those handmade stepping stones for creating paths
through a flower garden? Although I've never tried
it myself, I understand it is quite easy to do,
using one of those clear plastic trays that are used
under flower pots. You fill one of these with quick
setting cement and working quickly, you either draw
designs or set colored rocks, etc. into the
concrete before it sets. When the stone is dry, you
pop it out and there you have your very own custom
made stepping stone.
Take the time to install some
lights in your garden so that you can enjoy the
lovely summer evenings. And don't forget that
nothing sets a mood more than music; so, designate a
place for those built-in speakers for your music
system, too.
Wishing everyone a relaxing,
fun-filled summer.
Patty Lee
|
