Spring ReNEWal

Spring sure came early in April this year. So did the pollen. So did the bugs. I think the birds started early this year too. One not so wise blue bird couple is trying to nest in my neighbor’s newspaper-shoot under their mail box. Last bird to do that didn’t complete that task if you get my drift. But I love this time of year. Doesn’t matter if the winter has been long or short, harsh or mild, it’s always refreshing to see things bud and turn green, and have the sights and sounds of the birds.

Speaking of mailboxes … ours needs to be reNEWed! A teenager backed into it last year and we did a temporary fix to get us by for a while. This year I think we’ll get a new post and wrought iron bracket. Maybe even add a wrought iron plant hanger to the side to get the flowers up off the ground and away from the dogs (mine included!) so they have a chance to survive. Or I could go with a wrought iron trellis and plant a clematis. Updating the mailbox, even if you’re not needing to replace it like we do, is a quick and practical way to spruce up an essential fixture while improving the esthetics of your front yard.

Another new thing we added this spring is (more…)

Transform Your Porch into a European Veranda

I love my front porch. Our house has a very cabin-like look to it, complete with a long porch on the front. We like sitting out there except for feeling that we’re on display. We’ve also wondered if the neighbors think we’re spying on them when we perch ourselves out there for a while with a cold beverage in hand. The thought would probably cross my mind.  I’ve thought about hanging some fabric curtains to obscure the view or add a trellis at each end to give the feel of an enclosed room, yet keep it open and airy.

Got a porch? Create a living space. Make it your relaxation room. This is often a forgotten usable space that we don’t think about until the sun has gotten unbearable and we are seeking shade. Then everyone is scrambling for a place to keep cool. An excellent addition is curtains to keep the atmosphere cozy and inviting, yet open and airy. Wrought iron curtain rods will withstand the elements and provide a sturdy anchor as the fabric sways and poufs in the breeze. Our neighbor has done this on their back porch and it’s delightful!

If electricity is available take advantage of it and add a couple of wrought iron sconces. Flank a window or door with matching lantern wall lights. If you don’t have a window that is in a strategic spot, create the illusion of a window like we did and hang a piece of wrought iron wall décor. On each side you have the option to place electric wall sconces or a pair of Raleigh tavern candle lanterns from wrought iron wall hooks or plant hangers.

If your outdoor space is under a sun deck at ground level you can give the illusion of (more…)

Summer Breeze, Makes Me Feel Fine …

I had to drive to work with the windows down this morning because the AC in my car is busted. That wasn’t so bad because the temperature was still cool outside and the aroma in the air had a hint of honeysuckle and fresh cut grass. Very nice. And the song on the radio?  “Summer breeze … makes me feel fine …. blowing like the jasmine in my mind.”  No kidding! Don’t you just love the oldies of summers past? Don’t they make you want to pack your bags? No doubt about it, the days are warming up fast. Get ready ‘cause summer’s almost here! Time for vacations to the beach, the mountains, or the lake. Time to get together with friends and family for backyard barbecues or lounging on a hammock with a favorite book, or floating in the pool listening to beach music.

This summer Tim and I will be spending a lot more time on our deck than on the road. If you plan on making the most of your backyard, like we are, you may want to think about adding a couple new features to your landscape for entertaining. How about a wrought iron arbor with a climbing Carolina jasmine vine to show your guests the way to the festivities? Or maybe a beautiful wrought iron pavilion draped with flowing fabric for added shade. Do you have enough seating for guests?  Take a look at this 4’ Lutyen wood bench in natural oiled finish. Perfect to perch under a tree.

Dining alfresco is one of my favorite things to do. Another item on my list would be a fabulous octagonal wood dining table.  Garden lights add wonderful ambiance! Place them on every tabletop and hang them from plant hangers or a wrought iron yard pole. We’ve also talked about adding (more…)

Brighten Up Your Backyard, Patio and Deck this Spring

Spring is on the way! Really!! Hard to believe, but true. I’ve seen the evidence. Sunny yellow Daffodils are popping up their heads everywhere. They take me back to our years in Arkansas and remind me of the abundance of them that would spring up along the road up to our log house. That makes me smile. Birds that made themselves scarce during the freezing cold like Robins and Yellow Finches are coming around again. That makes me smile. Then there’s the not so common evidence that marks the arrival- the toys that begin to emerge from deep winter storage like the beautiful deep blue classic Chevy Chevelle SS rumbling along side of me as I made my way to work. That too made me smile. Or the large banner outside a local Irish Pub that read, “ Shake your Shamrocks”. That one made me laugh. No matter what the signs, it’s time to get our backyards ready.

Anytime of year it’s important to care for our feathered friends. While the temperature still dips below freezing I make sure the birds have a fresh supply of water in a clean birdbath because water may be hard to find. I also keep a variety of bird feeders filled with different types of seed. Using the appropriate style of feeder for the seed you want to put out not only helps keep the seed fresh and dry put can also keep other critters from invading your supply. There are thistle feeders for Nyjer seed, hopper or tube feeders work for Sunflower or mixed seed and mesh or wire cages for Suet. Birdbaths can also work as feeders. Save seeds from apples and melons or cut up a fresh orange. Offer these along with (more…)

But the Fire is So Delightful!

Cold, cold, cold! Can you believe the weather we’ve had so far this winter?  Record lows and record snows! Burrrrrr. And if the ground hog has any clout there’ll be more to come. Glad to have a cozy fireplace to snuggle in front of to watch a good movie, read a book, or catch up on Facebook with my hands wrapped around a tasty hot beverage (recipe to follow ).

The weather outside may be frightful, but the fire is so delightful!  Tim and I just love a roaring fire … the crackle, the smell of well-seasoned hardwoods, the glow of the embers.  If you seem to be racing through wood like us this winter, we thought a few safety tip reminders would be timely. We almost had a mishap the other night ourselves when soon after hearing a sudden pop a red-hot ember arched high enough to clear the fireplace screen and bounce onto the carpet. Tim jumped up with an ash shovel to scoop up the little nugget before it could do any harm. I’m just glad one of us was there to prevent what could have quickly become a home disaster!

Here are a couple safety reminders. Never leave a fire unattended. Be sure to have a quality fireplace tool set handy for a quick stoke of the fire. Remove excess ash between fires with a sturdy shovel to an empty ash bucket. Don’t overload the fireplace grate. Use fatwood for a starter. It’s a much better and reliable fire starter than rolled newspaper and can be conveniently stored in a decorative fatwood caddy on or near the hearth. Keep your fire at an appropriate size for your firebox.  Make sure your screen is the (more…)

Arbors, Trellises, Pavilions and Gazebos

One of the many benefits of home ownership is enjoying your backyard. For many, my wife and I included, once springtime arrives each year nearly all evening meals and entertaining takes place outdoors. Since so much time is spent in your backyard, it is important to not neglect this area when decorating your home. In today’s post I will be discussing lawn and garden decor.

Wrought iron arbors, trellises, pavilions and gazebos make wonderful additions to any yard or garden. Not only are they functional, but they are beautiful to look at while relaxing in your backyard.

Wrought iron arbors are freestanding arched structures whose main purpose is to provide support for climbing plants to grow. Wrought iron trellises serve the same purpose, though are shaped differently in a two dimensional plane and are often attached to walls. Trellises are also very useful in a vegetable garden, providing a place for vegetables to get off the ground. Many also use them for privacy to block the view from their neighbor’s yard.

Wrought iron pavilions and gazebos are covered garden structures that provide you with a private little oasis in your own backyard. There you have a place where you can have outdoor meals with family and friends, or enjoy all by yourself while sitting quietly and reading a good book. Finally, for couples having an outdoor wedding, they provide a beautiful place for the marriage ceremony.

Wrought Iron Furniture for Every Room

Furniture plays a central role in establishing the overall look and feel of a home. Knowing this, it is important that you choose a style that will coordinate with your existing decor. Regardless of the style chosen (e.g., traditional, rustic, or contemporary), many find that the addition of wrought iron furniture provides the elegant, “old world charm look” they are seeking to achieve.

Furniture is not only beautiful to look at, but also functional, and for large rooms, like living rooms, help to divide and define space. Wrought iron furniture choices for living rooms and family rooms include coffee tables, end tables, indoor benches, love seats and display tables. When selecting furniture for these types of rooms, keep scale in mind. This will prevent you from bringing home an oversized piece of furniture that you fell in love with while shopping and trying to cram it into a small living space.

Wrought iron dining tables, patio tables, and patio chairs make for a very (more…)

Wrought Iron for Wine Lovers

When you look back over your life and reflect on those cherished moments when you celebrated various events and milestones with loved ones, if you are anything like my wife Kim and me, there will usually be a bottle of good wine nearby. Whether celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on the Greek Island of Santorini, our 14th anniversary with friends in Barcelona, Spain, or our 10th anniversary touring a winery in Southern California, a glass or two of wine was always present to help mark the occasion.

Why? Nineteenth century Scottish essayist, author and poet, Robert Louis Stevenson, said it best … “Wine is bottled poetry.” According to wine merchant and gourmet, Andre Simon, “Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized.” Finally, I couldn’t agree more with the following anonymous quote: “Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.”

For those who love wine, displaying their collection is half the fun! Wrought iron wine racks are often used to hold and display bottles of wine, adding tremendously to (more…)

Determining Height for Kitchen Island and Pool Table Lights

Kitchen islands and peninsulas have become very popular features desired by home buyers. Kitchens are now designed with much more space and often become a gathering point for the entire family. For lighting, many opt for attractive wrought iron kitchen island lights.

In determining the proper height to hang your light, you must first ask yourself how you plan to use your kitchen island, for the answer will depend on whether the kitchen island will be used as only as a workspace for food preparation or if it will also be used for dining with seating placed around it.

If used only for food preparation, the kitchen island workspace must be well-lit, especially if you plan on doing a lot of fine dicing, chopping and cooking. In this case, you will (more…)

Choosing the Right Size Hanging Light

Wrought iron hanging lights are a wonderful addition to any home or cabin, adding greatly to the ambiance of a room. Selecting the right size hanging light appropriate to the dimensions of the room is important in order to achieve a balanced look. Too large and the light will overpower the room. Too small and the light will look out of place. Fortunately, if you follow a few simple guidelines, choosing the right size light is an easy task.

Wrought iron chandeliers are a favorite hanging light for many. When placed over a dining room table, the chandelier should hang about 30 to 36 inches from the tabletop, depending on the height of your ceiling. As to size, the chandelier should have a diameter at least half the width of the table, but less than the width of the table by 12 to 16 inches. For example, a table 48 inches wide would look best with a chandelier at least 24 inches in diameter, but no more than 32 to 36 inches in diameter.

For chandeliers, pendant lights, hanging foyer and hallway lights not positioned above tables, the fixture should be hung at least 7 foot from the floor to prevent (more…)