The Backyard Getaway

Green Expo 2010

2010-05-20T14:04:00.000-07:00

Get ready to head over to the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center on Saturday, June 12th for the Green Expo! The outdoor expo will showcase the latest green technology, complete solar technology systems by Phat Energy, rain harvesting systems by Pacific Outdoor Living, drought tolerant plants, permeable paving stones by Pacific Pavingstone and more. All of this will take place at the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center in La Crescenta between 9am-6pm and is completely free for all to attend. For more information on the Green Expo call Pacific Outdoor Living at 818-244-4000

Pond Owners Love Their Water Garden

2010-05-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

California Waterscapes posted this video recently, and it really gives you an idea on how happy pond owners really are with their water features. Who can resist the sound of water running down natural rocks, the beauty of lily's growing in the pond, and feeding koi fish as they swim around? Watch the video and if you feel inspired and decide that you want to become the proud owner of a water garden, call California Waterscapes for a design estimate of your own.

California Waterscapes
818-244-4000

LED Landscape Lighting

2010-05-18T16:29:00.000-07:00

Good use of outdoor lighting can totally change the look of your backyard space, and it can be used for more than just safety and visibility purposes. Also with the advancements in technology, outdoor lighting fixtures have been made easier to maintain and energy efficient with the use of LED's.

LED (light-emitting diode) lights have a ton of benefits that come with them, and should be your first choice when considering adding lighting to the landscaping. LED lights come in a wide assortment of color choices, and last much longer than incandescent lights. They may be more expensive than other types of outdoor lighting, but with a life expectancy of up to 30 years and being 80% more efficient, the savings will help the lights pay for themselves.

Kichler Lighting carries what I consider to be the best LED light available, and with lots of different styles there is bound to be a light that fits your backyard. Kichler has everything from path, deck and spotlights to under water lights and even specialty light fixtures that can double as planters and chandeliers. If you are looking to add lighting to your design, consider calling Pacific Outdoor Living to come up with a landscape plan for your backyard.

Pacific Outdoor Living
818-244-4000

The Phatport - Solar Power As A Lifestyle

2010-05-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

We once mentioned coming across a company out of Los Angeles called Phat Energy and their product known as the Phat Port. Phat Energy are a solar panel installation company that have developed a way to make the panel work even more for their customers, they achieved this by taking the panels off of the roof of the home and hangs them overhead to become part of the actual setting.

Usually when a homeowner decides to save on their energy cost and go with using solar panels, the panels installed to collect solar rays and convert them into energy and then not really thought about after that. But what Phat Energy has done is use the panels to line the tops of patio covers and car ports which gives off a nice stained glass look.

Phat Energy uses the most efficient panel on the residential market today-- the Sanyo 200 Bi-facial. When light from the sun hits the panel, it start producing energy like most solar panels do, but it also lets some light through, and then recycles it from the bottom side of the panel, adding another 15 to 20% of energy.

The Phat Energy design team will be more than knowledgeable to help you design and create the structure that best fits your outdoor space and can include car charging options, and battery back-up systems.

Phat Energy

818-249-7428

Shade Sails For The Patio

2010-05-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

A great backyard accessory that not only protects you from the heat of the sun but looks great are Shade Sails. These fabric pieces are hung across to steel posts and come in a wide assortment of shapes and colors that will easily fit any backyard design.

Installation of the shade sails is difficult, and not recommended for the average do-it-yourself builder. Instead we recommend to consult with a professional designer and installer to really get the best look for your backyard. There are so many possibilities on what can be done with these sails, and beats trying to huddle underneath a small umbrella for some shade.

If you plan on redesigning your backyard and creating your own oasis with the shade of a sail hanging over you, don't forget to contact Pacific Outdoor Living to start a whole landscape design plan for your home.

Tips For Water-Wise Landscaping

2010-05-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

The use of drought tolerant plants and water-wise landscaping is on the rise right now, especially here in California where water conservation is a must. We thought it would be good to five tips on planting and also maintaining your water-wise garden. Each are very simple, but very important if you are also considering going green and saving both water and money on your garden.

First thing to keep in mind is that the best time to start your planting is in the fall. The reason for this is that the roots of the plants need to have time to establish themselves, and by the time that summer rolls around the plants will be able to withstand the heat.
When you begin to plant the garden, make sure that you group the drought tolerant plants together and away from the other plants that require more watering. This is because simply because the drought-tolerant do not need the water and if some annuals are surrounding it, they can easily die from the lack of water while the other strive.
Use more mulch around your garden. Grass and turf are water hungry and while they are great as ground cover, they will run up your water bill. Mulch serves so many more purposes than just as a ground cover, it can also prevent weeds, keep moisture in the ground and as time passes nutrients will go into the ground as it decomposes.
Get to know your timer and irrigation system. Make sure the clock is set correctly and that there are no leaks or water runoff that could be going to your neighbors house or wasted away.
When the rain comes in, alway remember to turn off the irrigation system. After a week or even up to a month (depending on how much rain fell) check down into the soil about 2-3 inches and if you still feel moisture, its ok to leave the sprinklers off.

The Rooftop Getaway?

2010-05-11T16:43:00.000-07:00

Not everyone is able to take advantage of a large lot or even a backyard, but it is still possible to have your own getaway spot of your own. I headed over to Downtown Los Angeles to do a little scouting on what kind of getaways we can find on the rooftops of the city.

On our first stop we saw the gardens of the Kyoto Grand Hotel, and if you live in the Los Angeles area and have yet to visit this garden, you must add this to your things to do. It is hands down one of the greatest landscapes I have ever seen, I completely forgot I was standing in the middle of a giant metropolitan city. The strolling gardens are complete with a reflection pond and pathways that meander through lush landscape. If your looking for a place to find some instant peace, this is the place to go to.

If something a little more modern and chic is what your looking for, then seeing the rooftop of The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles is a must. You are completely surrounded by L.A.'s beautiful architecture everywhere you look, and the furnishings instantly make this a place to sit and unwind. The pool and sun deck make this a great destination for some fun in the sun, while the fireplace gives you a place to cozy up at night.

What was probably the most interesting use of a rooftop space has to go to the SYNTHe rooftop garden at The Flat apartments. The garden is used to grow herbs and vegetables which is then used in the downstairs restaurant, Blue Velvet. Besides helping to filter pollutants, increasing thermal insulation of the roof, and reducing storm water runoff, the roof top garden sets forth a complete productive cycle. Food will be grown, consumed, and ultimately returned to the cycle in the form of compost on the premises.

Are Subcontractors A Good Idea?

2010-05-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

A very common practice amongst most companies is using subcontractors to do the work for them, especially since they may not specialize in a certain line of work. Home Depot for example makes it very easy for any of it's millions of customers to come into their store and ask for an estimate for a home improvement project. But what exactly happens once you give them your information? Home Depot do not keep their own crews in house or do any of the work, it is given to a subcontractor that they have selected. The complaints go on for pages and pages online, and range from bad workmanship to waiting months for completion of a simple job. Here are a couple that we came across:

"I've had several clients use Home Depot contractors before with mixed results. The problem is that some of the contractors are great, some are average, and some are bad."

" I do not recommend using Home Depot for kitchen remodeling. The "designers" are glorified sales clerks who are ill informed... They lead you to believe that you are dealing with Home Depot but you really are dealing with other contractors and they act as a go between... They tell you one thing and the contractor tells you another. They will not tell you how much anything costs and they mysteriously come up with a figure..."

I'm not saying that every single subcontractor in the world will do a horrible job, but do be careful on who you select. I used Home Depot as my main example, but they are not the only company that practices this form of business. So how can you avoid this problem? Find out exactly who you are working with and do your own background check.

There are different ways of doing this, ServiceMagic.com and AngiesList.com are two very good sources on reading past reviews from customers on contractors. Also the Better Business Bureau is another way to see what is the current grade that a contractor may have. Get referrals that you can actually speak to, and when signing a contract (and please make sure you do have an actual contract) make sure that it states that no subcontractors will be used.

Weed Control Fabric

2010-05-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

Weeds are a problem that plague every garden, and while weed killer will help once the weeds are above the surface we wanted to find a product that can help control and prevent. We came across a product that is created by DuPont called the General Purpose Landscape Fabric and quickly fell in love with it.

The easy to install fabric is a great way to block weeds from growing, but still allows for moisture and nutrients to get to your plants unlike plastic sheeting. Also the General Purpose Landscape Fabric comes backed up by a 5 year warranty, which is great news to hear for any product.

Installation is very easy and can be done in a matter of minutes. Roll out the fabric across your garden, and cut to fit your space. Use landscape anchor pins every 3-5 feet to fasten down the edges of the fabric, and then cut X's where you plan on putting you plants. Cover the fabric with 2-3 inches of mulch and you're done!

Beautiful Retaining Walls

2010-05-05T16:12:00.000-07:00

Walls, planters, and steps are common projects that are a good idea to update when transforming your outdoor living space, but usually the choice of cinder block and brick are the most commonly used materials. We suggest that you take a look at the products that Belgard has available before you make a final decision on your next project.

Belair Wall is one of the two wall systems that Belgard offers from it's collection. It is a great retaining and freestanding product that uses its beautiful aesthetic look as its main attraction. The multi-piece design and mixture of colors makes it the perfect choice when looking for a cinder block alternative.

Celtik Wall uses a more natural look by giving the edges a rough texture and using natural hues. If you are going for more of an old world European look in your backyard, then this is the perfect stone to you to build your walls and steps. Both wall systems are also great at complimenting any paving stones that you may have installed or considering to add on.

Pacific Pavingstone
818-244-4000

Replace Your Own Outdoor Light Fixtures

2010-05-05T15:15:00.000-07:00

Here is another video that shows you the steps to take when changing an outdoor light fixture. While this may see to be a difficult task, it can be a quick job if done correctly. Of course like any other project, if this seems too overwhelming or maybe you have a more complicated project, then we do suggest that you contact a professional to handle the job.

Contact Service Magic if you have any further needs to find a qualified contractor to handle this job for you or any job that requires a trained professional.

Deer Resistant Plants

2010-05-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

In some regions, a big problem that tends to arise is having local deer wander into your garden of a meal and wiping out an entire garden. We are going to go over some plants that are not only drought-resistant but also deer-resistant that will be able to help out with this type of situation.

The first one we will mention are known as Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum Tectorum) which is a succulent plant that can grow in dry soil. This plant is mainly grown for its foliage and used as ground cover, but will bloom a spikey flower.

Another plant that will not attract deer is known as Stonecrop Plants (Sedum) like the one pictured here. Stonecrop's also consist of succulent leaves, but unlike the Hens and Chicks the Stonecrop plants produce a flower that come in different colors and worth growing in its own right.

Lambs Ear (Stachys Byzantina) is a good plant to consider if you are looking to grow plants that will turn deer away. Lambs Ear will add a certain amount of softness to the landscape and will produce a light purple flower on tall spikes.

Check out your local nursery for availability of these plants and get some other suggestions on what else can be planted to handle the wildlife issue. Armstrong Garden Center's are a good source for information if your in the Los Angeles or Southern California area, and if you need a landscape designer to include these types of plants in your design consider calling Pacific Outdoor Living to get a design done.

Measuring Out Your Next Project

2010-05-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of do-it-yourself readers out there, and if you have an upcoming project that requires you to measure your yard to figure out how many square feet of a material you might need like paving stones or flagstone, then you really need to watch the following video.

Take note of all the tips you just saw before starting any type of hardscape project. Like the video mentioned, falling short of material can put the entire project at a full stop, and will take especially long if you are using a custom color or stone. If the job seems like it might be a little too overwhelming, don't forget that you can still call the paving stone professionals at Pacific Pavingstone to help with the installation and get it done.

Pacific Pavingstone
818-244-4000

L.A. Garden Show

2010-05-03T15:27:00.000-07:00

I spent a beautiful sunny California Saturday afternoon at the L.A. Garden Show at The Arboretum in Arcadia this past weekend, and enjoyed every minute of it. The show had tons of designers displaying their work and vendors showing some of the latest updates in gardening and outdoor living. If you haven't had a chance to visit the grounds of The Arboretum themselves, it's one of the most impressive gardens that I have ever seen. There are over 120 acres to explore and the botanical gardens are simply amazing to see, and even the wildlife that lives here can be seen roaming freely.

We spent some time talking to some familiar vendors that we met with out there including Pacific Outdoor Living and Phat Energy. The pond and fireplace display that Pacific Outdoor Living had available was great, and their outdoor furniture pieces were drawing in crowds like crazy. Phat Energy had their interesting "Phat Port" on display which

uses solar panels for shade on top of a pergola, and still uses that energy for everyday use. Plenty of nursery's were on hand and brought out some of their seasons finest plants and flower to sell. Whatever it was that your gardening heart desired, it was available at the L.A. Garden Show.

We have plenty of pictures of the entire show including some spaces that were re-designed and re-landscaped especially for the shows. To see the entire collection of pictures click the link below and enjoy.

Photos of L.A. Garden Show 2010

Pasadena Showcase House Of Design

2010-04-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

I was able to pay a visit to the Pasadena Showcase House Of Design this week, and the best way I can describe it in two words... jaw dropping. I started the tour of the Cravens three story, fifty-room estate residence at the Grand Entrance which was designed by Pacific Ourdoor Living. The grey and cream colored paving stones used here take you back to a historic chateau in France, and really sets the tone for the rest of the house. The custom Red Cross medallion in the center of the entrance is a nice detail, especially since this is now the home of the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter of The American Red Cross.

The Portico is the next space that grabs your eye right before you enter the mansion. The hand forged iron panels that frame the large glass front doors instantly show how much craftsmanship was put into the space designed by Padua-D.K. Designs. Through the door leads into the Grand Gallery which is complete with a restored mural of the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in France which was the inspiration for the design of the Cravens Estate. The walls in this room were darkened in order to bring out the pastel colors of the mural.

Next you will find yourself in the Morning Room and Morning Garden. The Morning Room is complete with high ceilings, French doors and a cast iron fireplace. The designer for this room, Linda Allen Designs, used neutral grey colors in this room to help bring out the
brighter green fabrics and white trim on the walls. The arched French Art Deco mirrors that hang on the walls are the finishing touch to this room. The Morning Garden boasts rose colored marble flooring and a beautiful drought tolerant garden, which is an Eco friendly replacementt for water hungry annuals. The garden was topped off by designers Carson-Magness Landscapes with the addition of a contemporary water sculpture as the centerpiece.

The Drawing Room was the next section that really caught my attention and was probably the largest room on the tour. We were told that the original walls, fixtures and windows were preserved in this space. The bright colored wooden walls also seemed to be the inspiration for the furniture and gave it a very comfortable feel. I can easily see this as the main room to do the most lounging and relaxing. Saxony Design Build also did a great job of adding Red Cross memorabilia to pay tribute to the current owners.

The Eco Kitchen was originally one of the two butler pantries, and was completely re-designed by Cynthia Bennett & Associates using "green" materials. The surfaces were made from 100% recycled glass and cement, and tiles created through a zero waste process. The appliances are all energy efficient, and even the tables and chairs are made of sustainable wood. This is a beautifully designed kitchen that helps turns this mansion into a home.

The Media Room was literally transformed by Designs Of The Interior from a blank box into this gorgeous hang out spot for the entire family. I loved absolutely everything about this room, from the lighting fixtures and chairs, all the way down to the framing of the flat screen TV on the wall. Before I got too comfortable here, I realized that it was time to continue the tour. Time to head upstairs!

I went straight into the Master Bedroom which was nicely done by Julie Kays Design. The canopy bed and 2 sitting areas make this a place that is meant to do nothing but rest in after a long day. The silk wall covering, hand painted with birds and trees can be found surrounding the entire room, and the elegant furnishing were the finishing touches. The Master Bedroom then leads into each of Mr. and Mrs. own respective Dressing, Sitting, and Bathrooms.

Mrs. Cravens Sun Room is filled with African tribal art and completely surrounded by large windows. Designer Karina Oldemans describes this space as "sophisticated, elegant, and comfortable" and she couldn't have been more accurate.

Mr. Cravens Dressing Room will make any Don Draper hopeful instantly jealous. Its the perfect place for a man to kick his feet up and read the paper before he heads out for the office. Jennifer Bevan Interiors did an excellent job on capturing what this room should look like with the use of contemporary, traditional and classic furniture.

Mrs. Cravens Bathroom is adjacent to her private closet that would make most women stare in awe. The bathroom still uses the original tub and marble floors, but have been refinished and a painted design was added above the tub. Roberta Martin Interiors did a great job on bringing out and adding on to the beauty of this space.

The Gentleman's Bathroom uses a very nice contrast between the dark and light colors of the wall panels, and the dark colors of the floors and ceiling. The hanging chandelier catches your attention as it hangs over the contemporary vanity installed by DChristjan Design.

The Guest Bedroom was beautifully done by Lechman-Testa & Associates, as they used an old world look to really make the room stand out. All the furnishings used different finishes and textures but was still able to blend in nicely. The iron chandelier was a great touch and brought my attention to the gorgeouscrown moulding.

After exiting the house, we went over to the Terrace Garden which was designed by Pacific Outdoor Living, and uses a unique checkerboard look that blends turf and large concrete pavers. Two bubbling water features added a soothing background sound as you gaze at the beautiful landscape.

The Strolling Garden was designed to be a work of art more than just your usual garden. FormLA Landscaping used a lot of geometric shapes and curls which is surrounded by glass mulch and other Eco-friendly features such as reclaimed tire mulch and decomposed granite walkways. California native plants fill the garden and fill the air with a wonderful fragrance.

With so many rooms, we were not able to mention every single one of them, but there is still plenty of time to go see the Pasadena Showcase House Of Design, which is an event that shouldn't be missed. All of the designers did an amazing job and I already can't wait until next year. To purchase tickets or to view the full collection of pictures click the links below.

Tickets to Pasadena Showcase House Of Design

Photos of the Pasadena Showcase House Of Design

Parade Of Ponds 2010

2010-04-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

We have already mentioned it before, and still urge all of those in Los Angeles to attend the 6th annual Parade Of Ponds this year. With so many ponds, waterfalls, and streams on display there is tons to see and enjoy throughout the day. Circle Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th on your calendars as those are the days to head up to the Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center to start the parade. Advance tickets are still available by heading over to California Waterscapes' website and clicking the link at the bottom. Here is a quick teaser on what you can expect at the Parade Of Ponds.

7 Pond Myths Destroyed

2010-04-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of myths out there on what is needed to maintain a pond, or on why a pond will bring you nothing but problems and headaches. Here are seven specific myths that I would like to officially destroy and hopefully help convince more of you out there to become a pond owner and water gardener.

Raccoons will eat all of your fish - Raccoons do not like to swim and will usually sit on the side to swipe fish with their paws. The fish are aware of a possible threat and will swim to the bottom and stay out of harms way until the threat goes away.
Rocks and gravel make it difficult to clean the pond - The Eco system pond will maintain a natural balance that allows mother nature to do the maintenance work on her own. Beneficial bacteria are able to colonize on the rock and gravel which are able to break down debris and muck that would usually feed algae and help it grow.
Fish cannot survive in cold climate - When temperatures drop the the fish will naturally swim to the bottom and hibernate during the winter, there is no need to bring them inside and protect them from the cold weather.
You must test your pond for PH daily - When working with aquariums and pools of water that use chemicals, you do need to check the PH balance often. But when working with a natural Eco system, there is no need to test
Ponds attract mosquito's - Mosquito's love stagnant water, so if the pond is stagnant then there will be mosquito's near by. The trick is to continuously have the water moving and less mosquito's will come around. Also any larvae on the water surface will be taken in by the skimmer and drowned, or eaten by the fish. A properly built pond can actually reduce the number of mosquito's in the area.

Draining and cleaning the pond must be done on a regular basis - If the pond you have is not working with a natural Eco system, draining and cleaning the pond will be a regular headache. But if you are taking advantage of a naturally balanced pond you may have your pond cleaned once a year max, and some don't require it at all.
The more filtration the better - If you were filtering water for drinking then more filtration is best, but when talking about a naturally balanced pond it is not necessary. Over filtering a pond can cause some maintenance problems that can become costly. if you can see a dime at the bottom of the pond, it is more than clean enough.

Still have more questions? Give California Waterscapes a call and they will be more than happy to answer them for you.

California Waterscapes

818-244-4000

HGTV's Landscapers Challenge

2010-04-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Pacific Outdoor Living were featured in an episode of Landscapers Challenge on HGTV. In this show, 3 landscape designers take on the challenge of coming up with a design that fulfills every want of the homeowner. The homeowner then chooses the winning design to be built and we also get to see the final results. Pacific Outdoor Living did indeed win this competition and the final design was jaw dropping once it was completed. Take a look at the video below which shows clips from the competition and the final result.

Pacific Outdoor Living
818-244-4000

Pergola Designs

2010-04-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Pergolas are a good choice when looking to add to your outdoor area. But I do get asked often if this is an easy do it yourself project, or should a professional handle this line of work. Depending on ones experience in construction, it can be a DIY job, but I highly recommend you get a professional design done first.

There are some plans that you can purchase online, but who's to say that design which you saw on a computer screen would work perfectly with your home, hire a pro to do it. Once you have a design in hand then decide if this is a job you can take on yourself. This example here included columns, lighting, and electrical lines for a ceiling fan which can be very advanced for the average builder.

When choosing a designer or contractor, remember to always check references and past work. You only want quality work to be done on your house and this is the best way to find out how good they really are. Pacific Outdoor Living are professional landscape designers and builders and would be more than qualified in adding a pergola to you outdoor living room.

Pacific Outdoor Living
818-244-4000

Preview Of The Pasadena Showcase 2010

2010-04-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

We made a quick stop at this years Pasadena Showcase House Of Design to give you a little taste of what you expect for this years home. As you will see, designers came out with some of their best ideas to really transform and beautify this home. Also make sure you stop and enjoy the Dining Pavilion which is going to be catered by Wolfgang Puck.

If you have yet to get your tickets to the Pasadena Showcase House, be sure to do so by clicking the link below.

Tickets for the Pasadena Showcase 4/18-5/16

Inexpensive Landscape Design Deal

2010-04-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

I am always willing to pass on a great deal to you when I come across one, and this one is unbeatable. Pacific Outdoor Living is now offering homeowners to have a full landscape design package for only $995! What that package includes is a consultation with a landscape designer, concept art, full site measurements, elevation plan, drainage plan, and full custom quote for all services including itemization.

Just imagine, finally having your backyard space professionally designed and receiving it with a very large discount. This same type of package will usually go for at least $2500 with other design companies. Take advantage of this deal and get your own backyard getaway designed for you.

Call Pacific Outdoor Living today and schedule a time to consult with a landscape designer at your home and start re-designing your yard today.

Pacific Outdoor Living

www.PacificOutdoorLiving.com

818-244-4000

Planting A Vegetable Garden

2010-04-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ever since I made a visit to the Armstrong Garden Center a month ago I have been thinking about a vegetable garden of my own, especially since now is the time to plant. So I did my research and here is what I learned on how to plant your own vegetable garden.

Use the sunniest spot in your yard to do the planting, after all the two things your garden will need to grow are sun and water.
Clear and prepare the land that you are going to use for your garden by using a rototiller.
If you are going to plant the seeds directly into the ground, take the soil and plant the seeds in an egg carton until they take root and then transplant them. The other choice is to buy seedlings at a nursery and then plant them.
Orientate the rows of vegetables east to west, and make sure the tallest plants are on the north end of the garden. This will be keep the smaller plants from being shaded but the bigger ones and not receiving enough sunlight during the day.
Plants a few flowers throughout the vegetable garden, this will attract bees and help pollinate the garden.

If you use these easy tips your garden will be sure to flourish and enjoying your very own freshly grown vegetables in no time.

Repair Your Own Sprinkler Head

2010-04-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a how to video that any homeowner can use. It has happened to all of us at least once, where one of the sprinkler heads breaks. But rather than having to pay someone else repair the broken sprinkler head, follow these easy steps that will your irrigation system up and running in no time.

Outdoor Elegance

2010-04-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Elegance has quickly become one of my favorite stores when it comes to shopping for my patio. They offer a complete selection of everything you would need for the outdoor living room including furniture, BBQ's, fireplaces, fountains, and more.

The staff at the large indoor/outdoor patio design showroom are very helpful and knowledgeable, and I still haven't been able to come up with a question that they can't answer. They will also guide you through the latest fabric and custom finish options available so you can find something that fits your style.

Families are entertaining at home more than ever right now, and for the gourmet chef of the house a quality grill is needed to cook in style. Choose from a wide selection of top quality manufacturers including Fire Magic, Viking, Lynx, and Twin Eagles for your outdoor kitchen.

If a fireplace or fire pit is what your looking for to keep the entertaining going into the chilly nights, make sure to take a look at the gas log live burn display at Outdoor Elegance. Get some design ideas on what route you should take when planning your outdoor project.

What ever your needs may be, Outdoor Elegance will be able to fulfill them. Give their massive showroom a visit and see for yourself exactly what they will be able to do for you

Outdoor Elegance Patio Design Center
3795 Damien Ave. La Verne, CA 91750
(888) 836-9791

Paving Stones With A Natural Look

2010-04-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Paving stones have been a favorite of homeowners when deciding to redo the outdoor flooring of their home. I looked into several manufacturers but Belgards Natural collection were the stones that stood out the most.

The Arbel and the Mega Arbel stones feature an irregular base shape, with an expansive array of unique textures and patterns that mimic actual flagstone. Plus, since these are pavers, they are much stronger than your common flagstone.

The Old World collection is also a beautiful choice to consider if you plan on redoing your patio. This stone is called Old World because thats exactly what its made to replicate, the old cobbled streets of Europe with a natural stone cleft finish .

If your considering having your outdoor living room to be upgraded with either of these pavers, we suggest you give Belgard or Pacific Pavingstone a call and see what can be done for your home. Once your stand back and look at it, you will never regret it.

www.Belgard.biz

www.PacificPavingstone.com
818-244-4000