Vern Yip's Vacation at Home by Vern Yip

Author:Vern Yip
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Running Press
Published: 2019-08-26T16:00:00+00:00

Questions to ask when you are trying to figure out what plants to buy include:

Do I love to garden and have time for it?

How often do I water?

When do I prune? How much do I prune?

What kind of fertilizer and how often do I apply it?

EXTERIOR FURNITURE CHOICES FOR TIDY, LIVABLE, AND EASY-TO-MAINTAIN SPACES

We talk a lot about “bringing the outdoors in,” but when you are designing a deck, patio, or other outdoor seating space, the opposite applies. When you select furniture for your patio, you want to keep in mind many of the same principles of proportion and design we use for indoor furniture, but there are other considerations as well. Here is an overview:

Choose the right frame for your furniture.

Today’s outdoor furniture comes in a wide array of choices, and while your personal preference should play the key role in your selection, some materials do better in some settings than others.

Resin wicker. If the furniture is placed near the pool or other water feature, or if it will be exposed to a lot of rain, think about furniture frames wrapped in resin wicker, a woven synthetic material (polyethylene) designed to resist the elements. Resin wicker is fairly low maintenance as well—it washes off beautifully with a hose.

Teak is another great alternative. It’s a weather-resistant hardwood due to its high oil content. Teak is beautiful and very long-lasting but can require consistent maintenance and upkeep if you want to preserve its honey hue, and it can be fairly expensive. If you go with teak, think of your purchase as a long-term investment.

Wrought iron is a smart choice if your property is subject to frequent winds—even in a very stiff breeze, it’s likely not going anywhere, and you don’t have the worry of your furniture sailing off into the next county. It also often has a custom, handcrafted look that is part of its appeal.

Look for pieces that are powder-coated to prevent rusting, and if you spot rust on your wrought iron furniture, attend to it immediately by scrubbing it off with a wire brush and treating it with an application of an antirust substance like a specially formulated spray paint or marine varnish.

Anodized aluminum can be sleek, stylish, and modern-looking. Not as heavy as wrought iron, anodized aluminum is nevertheless very durable, though not great near salt water due to the possibility of corrosion. Keep in mind that many anodized aluminum frames require special maintenance products specified by the manufacturers to keep their warranties valid.

Choose the right foam and textiles for your cushions.

Just as you want to find the perfect frame for your outdoor furniture, you want to make sure you’ve got the best foam and fabric for your seat cushions. All outdoor cushions should have cores made from quick-drying foam specifically manufactured to endure the elements, especially water. This is key if you are handy and plan to make your own cushions or if you are having cushions custom made. Look for anti-mildew upholstery foam for outdoor and marine furniture.

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