With a serene, calm aesthetic and natural inspiration, Asian style refers to spaces with Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese-style rooms use raw materials like bamboo and a natural subtle color palette. While Chinese interiors draw on highly stylized furnishings with hand-painted designs, lacquered finishes and a red and black palette.

Since serene calming Asian-style rooms provide a great place to clear your head after a long day, the design aesthetic easily translates to exterior spaces. A few key elements of Asian style would be natural materials, clean lines and objects with a low profile. The raw materials suitable for the space would include bamboo, slate and rock and nature’s subtle colors helping create a tranquil space. Asian-style rooms typically don’t have many accessories or much clutter in order to create a calming environment.

An outdoor space would call for multifunctional furnishings with clean lines and a sleek profile. Having a firepit with a wooden top allows it to function as both a table and fire pit. The Revolver firepit converts from a fire pit grill to a cocktail table once the hardwood top is placed in position. Stone accessories such as a fire bowl, sized smaller for table top, or larger freestanding fire bowls on a column provide accent lighting and warmth if the night air is chilly.  Introducing fire bowls styled with natural elements reinforces the Asian feel of the outdoor space.

In addition, Japanese design often includes water features such as Koi ponds or waterfalls. The Cliffstone series includes a fire fountain with a waterfall. Functional pieces, such as a fire pit or fire fountain satisfies the senses and contribute to simple uncluttered Asian design. And despite its antiquity, Asian design is a very modern style that will look current for a long time.

Why reserve a roaring fire for a camp-out? Families and friends can gather to enjoy any night of the week. Here are a few tips for building a fire in an outdoor fire pit.

Before you get your fire going here’s a few items to gather:

• tinder
• kindling
• wood
• matches

First step is to pick a location for your fire. Whether in the backyard or campsite, location is key. My local code calls for fire pits to be fifty feet from structures. Pick a spot that’s away from trees or flammable brush as well. Natural surroundings may be lush in the spring but summer drought may dry out grass or plantings around the firepit.

Tinder should be natural material that will burn easily when lit. Small twigs, dried brush or newspaper will work well. You will need a dozen or so sheets of newspaper, crumple each up like a tennis ball. Next, wood can be placed on top inside home fire pits. Make sure the kindling and tinder have enough space for air flow and are not smashed. Properly aged wood will light most effectively. Light it four sides and as the tinder ignites blow air into the fire allowing it to burn hot enough for the kindling to catch. This is a fun step to get age appropriate children involved around outdoor fire pits. Think about how much they love to blow out birthday candles. Once the wood ignites you only have to occasionally add wood to keep the fire going.

Now sit back and relax. You’ll be eating s’mores and telling stories  around the fire pit before you know it.

Hosting an outdoor party can be easier and less expensive than you think. Two neighborhood families were coming over to grill out when I realized I needed more seating and serving space. I relocated indoor furniture. I took my kitchen table outdoors and set it up as a second beverage station. Having another spot, different from the food buffet, prevented a traffic jam and allowed guests to mingle while they got a drink. Come sundown have lighting ready so you guests can see to serve themselves. I like the practicality of tabletop fire bowls. Not only does a  tabletop firebowl provide light and warmth as temps drop, they are refillable.

I also put the kitchen chairs around the patio table. You may be  surprised how many guests can be seated around a round table. That freed up the wrought iron chairs, which I placed out in the backyard, around the fire pit, for an additional seating area. To save on the expense of disposable paper products, I used my everyday dishes and glassware. It’s more eco-friendly and paper plates never support a plate overflowing with bbq balanced on your lap.

Help company stay comfortable outdoor all day and into the night. Near the seating area around the firepit, I put out a big basket filled with amenities like sunblock, bug spray, hand wipes and a stadium blanket. As the party continued after dark, lighting the outdoor fire pit added a warm glow, especially welcome because it was chilly.

S’mores  aren’t exclusive to camp outs. Why not choose these for an easy inexpensive no bake dessert? I handed everyone a  skewer and a marshmallow as they hung out around the fire pit. Neighbors, both young and old, roasted marshmallows right over the fire pit, then layered it between a bit of chocolate bar and a graham cracker. Dessert was big hit, with little effort and expense. Don’t let costs of extra outdoor furniture, serving pieces and gourmet dishes hinder you from entertaining. Parties can be done inexpensively.  Let me hear your ideas?

Construction is not needed for an Outdoor Room, just creative ideas. You can have the sense of an outdoor room by providing some structure in the form of walls. The illusion of an wall is enough to stop the eye and enclose your space. Outdoor fireplaces introduce this structure and ours can be moved if you sell and move or re-do the landscaping down the road.

Our do-it-yourself outdoor fireplace kit requires no special skill and is able to be quickly completed. I have included two great shots of the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace with custom applications. One with brick, the other stone. Embellish the ready made outdoor fireplace kit to coordinate with the hard-scape to give an outdoor room a custom look without a contractor. Got your creative juices flowing? Next, just decide if you want to set up the outdoor fireplace near a dining area on the deck or a sitting area out in the back yard. Keep in mind, the outdoor patio fireplaces recommended placement 36” distance from combustible construction.

For elevated decks, make sure you have the proper support for 1200 pounds. Over a 2 foot by 4-foot area, that would equal about 150 pounds per square foot. 2 x 10 joists every 12 inches is recommended. Outdoor fireplaces should also be set near a main support. If the outdoor fireplace is placed in the yard, a concrete pad is not required. Eight 4 inch by 12 inch blocks leveled on solid soil will be fine. Many outdoor fireplaces have been set directly in grass, soil or decorative rock, although this may cause some sagging over time.

Should the fire get a little out of hand, I had mentioned in an earlier post that these outdoor fireplaces exceed nationwide incinerator and uniform fire codes. These codes state: Containers used for burning must be constructed of concrete or masonry with a completely enclosed fire chamber and equipped with a permanently attached spark arrestor (which stops dangerous embers from escaping), made of non-combustible material with openings not larger than one-half inch. Now that you have got tips for customization, placement and safety, contact us to get started, the outdoor fireplace kit can be at your doorstep in no time. Your outdoor room can be defined by an outdoor fireplace and provide your space with a custom looking focal point.

Going green has reached the mainstream culture. If you want to purchase products which cause no harm or inflict the least amount of harm to the environment, you too have joined this movement. There are vented (requiring a chimney) and vent less fireplaces that create no soot, smoke or ashes. The video below spotlights some new environmentally friendly products, click the play button to check out the trendiest, hottest fireplace mantels and other gel fireplaces.

You can add a fireplace, to any room in your house, that has minimal impact to the environment. A ventless fireplace requires no expensive gas hook-up nor contractor for installation. Wall mount fireplaces, which are spotlighted first, blend the cozy romance of a traditional fireplace with a dramatic modern sensibility serving as a functional piece of art. The fireplace mantel pictured includes an electric log insert which has adjustable lighting and sound effects. The Avignon, by Classic Flame, operates with or without heat, so you can enjoy the ambiance of the fireplace mantel all year through. Gel fireplaces available in mantels and personal fireplaces utilize gel fuel made from isopropyl Alcohol which burns for one to three hours. The table top fireplace, Red Rock by Real Flame, is portable making it usable both indoors and out. Lastly, the video features another modern fireplace, similar to our Insight also by Real Flame, that incorporates glass into the clean line design.

No wood needed, no open flame, no toxic smoke or fumes released into your home nor up the flue, as these fireplaces are all vent less. Contact our team if you are ready to “go green” and need assistance in choosing a eco-friendly ventless fireplace!

Planning your next beach get away? Thoughts of everyone gathered around the fire pit wiggling their toes down into the sand out by the dunes. Many of us suburbanites live hours away from the coast. Don’t wait for vacation, build your own backyard beach. I am crazy about this idea inspired by myhomeideas.com. So what do you need to pull this off?

• A truckload of sand could be obtained from your local building supply company
• Large pieces of driftwood can be shipped to your door; Google to find a supplier
• A selection of fire pits are found through MantelsDirect.com and quickly delivered
• Plants and large rocks are available at your local nursery or home center

I would suggest native plans that thrive in your local climate.  Ornamental pampas grass is pictured here would bring a coastal vibe to your backyard beach. Installing this outdoor space too near irrigation may find your beach washed away by the sprinklers. Not to mention wet sand is sticky. Who wants to find sandy footprints tracked across the den floor? Fire pits are the focal point which pulls all your friends and family together.  A gas fire pit eliminates having to keep firewood on hand and any concerns about extinguishing the flame at the end of the evening. If your home already is equipped with natural gas, a line could be run to the area where you want a fire pit.  If not, then a propane tank could easily be hidden behind a sand dune.

This is an easy project that requires no special tools or skills, just great imagination. I can just see it now, when the sun goes down, suntanned toes ticklin the sand, cold drink chillin in my right hand…give us a call for help in picking out the perfect fire pit for your backyard beach.

Wish you could bump into the Yard Crashers guy at the home improvement center? If you are like me, you watch HGTV and get inspired, but don’t have the handy man with all the tools on stand by. If you’re considering a little do-it-yourself project this weekend, I have found one project that can be completed in a day. This outdoor fireplace kit, is so easy assembled, customizable and comes in styles that burn wood, charcoal or gas, we have deemed it the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace!

To the right, you will see the customized Perfect Outdoor Fireplace from the Yard Crashers Woodsy Spa Retreat episode backyard make-over on DIY Network. With no deteriorating mortar, glues or fasteners, these outdoor fireplaces interlocking construction creates a lasting addition to your outdoor living space. The manufacturer utilizes new technology in materials sciences, such as expanded shale and luminite, to create strong, durable, heat dissipating stone. This eliminates the problems associated with concrete and cement type mixes used on some do-it-yourself outdoor wood burning fireplaces when exposed to extreme temperatures. The Perfect Outdoor Fireplace exceeds both nationwide incinerator and uniform fire codes. This outdoor fireplace kit also meets recreational burning standards eliminating the need for burn permits. With our do-it-yourself outdoor fireplace in your space, all your friends will become yard crashers!

Beautiful days are beckoning us, uproot yourself from your indoor environment and head outside. An outdoor space does not have to be limited to only patios or decks adjacent to the rear of the house. If your area is large you may want to consider multiple areas such as a sitting area, dining area or sun deck by a pool or spa. Having several cozy gathering areas are better for conversation.  Rather than congregating in one large crowd, it seems adults tend to break into smaller groups. Outdoor patio fireplaces warm up these sitting areas on cool evenings. While sun is great for your lounge chairs on the pool deck, you may consider a pergola, canopy or tent to keep your guests from wilting around an outdoor dining table. An outdoor fireplace adjacent to this dining area would extend its use through cooler seasons. Before you begin to spruce up your outdoor space for everyday enjoyment and entertaining, I’ve got a few points for you to consider:

• Size of the yard or space available
• Budget
• Sun or shade
• Number of people that need to be accommodated
• The function of the area includes sitting, lounging and/or dining areas

Design your outdoor room for versatility and comfort. Our wood burning outdoor fireplaces allow an outdoor room to be utilized in cooler weather and are available as a bay, pier, or see through and are able to burn coal, natural or propane gas in addition to wood. The interlocking design of our outdoor fireplace kit requires no mortar or glue. An outdoor wood fireplace could anchor these outdoor spaces enhancing your sitting area or dining area. Whether you have a sprawling yard or a postage-stamp- sized terrace, with planning your outdoor room can become the perfect place for relaxing and entertaining all season long.