Summer is nearing and spending time outdoors enjoying the fresh air, catching up with family and friends is worth looking forward too! MantelsDirect.com has a new line of fire pits from Patina Products, a laid back company from the coast of California. Where warm days and cool nights make outdoor living second nature to the Patina Products team.

Their line of handcrafted steel fire pits are well-built and are delivered to your door fully assembled. Each uniquely designed fire pit comes standard with a spark guard, cooking/BBQ grill, fire poker, and protective weather cover. Choose from their classic Pacific Coast Fire Pit, their fun, kid-friendly Safari themed fire pit, or the Patina Mardi Gras design for added flare. All Patina Products fire pits come standard with a 5-year warranty!

MantelsDirect.com is excited to announce the launch of DEECO, a manufacture of unique chimineas and durable fire pits. With summer upon us it’s time to spruce up your backyard or patio space, a cast aluminum chiminea or outdoor fire pit is a sure show stopper for your family and friends. Deeco products are low maintenance and ready to use throughout the year. This product line is artistically designed to fit any outdoor room. Each fire pit or chiminea style includes a spark guard to protect against unruly fire embers and a protective weather cover.

Vineyard Chiminea

The European Vineyard Cast Aluminum Chiminea is classically designed with grape vines and leaves – perfect for any outdoor garden or patio space. The Rock Canyon Outdoor Fire Pit Table is a versitle 3-in-1 party essential. The Rock Canyon model features 3 unique inserts; a 20-inch cast iron fire pit bowl adds warmth on cooler nights, a 20-inch copperized steel ice basin keeps drinks and food cold during backyard entertaining, and a mosaic slate insert with umbrella hole completes this 43 inch diameter table for dining alfresco.

Rock Canyon Fire Pit Table

MantelsDirect.com has just added a fantastic selection of unique fire pits from artist Rick Wittrig. Rick hand-crafts these durable outdoor fireplaces at his home in central Tennessee. Designs range from the spherical ‘Third Rock‘ which was featured in the athlete’s village at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics to the creative ‘Kokopelli‘ to the classic ‘Saturn’ Artisan Outdoor Fire pit.

Each fire pit is crafted with 1/4″ solid carbon steel and is designed to last a lifetime. Individual items are numbered by Mr. Wittrig on a small brass plaque attached to the base ring, making them unique and a sure conversation piece. Options include spark screens with wood loading hatches and flagstone bases which allow these wood burners to be placed on wood decks.

Outdoor fireplaces quickly become the central place where everyone gathers. Everyone wants to have one, especially in southern regions of the country. They are a luxury that is perfect for warmer winter climates throughout the South. Lay down some gravel or pavers to ensure that your fire pit is on a level surface without organic materials beneath it. Outdoor fireplaces are designed to be used on a patio that’s made of something solid and flame resistant. My top three favorite are patio pavers, flagstone and pea gravel.

Landscaping retailers have a selection of all their products on display so you can see and touch the materials to help decide what will look best with your outdoor fireplace. Gravel is usually available by the bulk bag or smaller bag so you can have the exact quantity you need. Decorative gravels are available in different grades and colors. The grade being the size of the stone. Local landscaper suppliers in your hometown  or any chain home improvement center stocks the weed membrane that stops weeds from rearing their ugly heads.

Not only ideal for use on driveways, pathways, these materials are perfect for a patio with an outdoor fireplace. Unused square footage away from your home and garage are great spaces to lay down  flagstone for an outdoor firepit. My local code states that a wood burning outdoor fireplace should be 50 feet from my home. If you  have a challenging part of your yard that doesn’t have any grass, pick a solid surface: like pavers, stones or pea gravel; it can be transformed from eye sore into a fire pit patio.

You may select a combination of solid surface materials to define an area for the firepit surrounded by seating. Once your foundation has been laid, you are ready to place an outdoor fireplace and furniture that are weather safe. Outdoor fireplaces have durable surfaces that are designed to weather the elements. The Perfect Outdoor Fireplace is made of heat dissipating stone that will not crack even when temperatures dip and the fireplace is covered in snow.  Some fire pits come with covers ensuring longevity.

These surfaces are not only flame resistant and provide a level surface, they look beautiful. Flagstone’s color variations, and pavers unique shapes make for an interesting outdoor space that suits an outdoor fireplace. To read more about unique areas of your property to place a fire pit, check out my post ” Creative Spaces for Outdoor Fireplaces”.

Record high temperatures have been seen around the country this summer, but there will soon be relief with Autumn around the corner. The popularity of outdoor spaces have increased as homeowners take full advantage of their property. You too can create a retreat or entertaining area that would extend your own living space outdoors. Think outside the box when it comes to your own outdoor space. “Outdoor rooms” aren’t restricted to the backyard nor should you limit your activity to simply grilling.

An outdoor fireplace lends an air of sophistication to a back yard patio and invites guests to linger after dinner. However, front yards are great places to gather neighbors around a cozy outdoor fire pit while children play as well. By simply grouping chairs around a firepit, this parking pad could be elevated to outdoor room status. Not only back and front spaces but side yards offer up areas for entertaining. Take an underutilized area along an outside wall of your house or detached garage, and anchor that with an outdoor patio fireplace.

Side driveways and transitional spaces between the garage and backdoor can multi-task, also being utilized for entertaining. By placing fire pits in flexible spaces, such as the driveway of this New Orleans home on the right, they too become a great place for a hosting friends. Patio fire pits are portable making them perfect for these types of flexible outdoor spaces. However, the Perfect Outdoor Fireplace is able to be disassembled, making it an option should you anticipate a need to relocate your outdoor fireplace.

Outdoor fireplaces are designed to be used on a level surface that’s made of something solid and flame resistant, like concrete, patio pavers or gravel. Check back for my top picks for surface materials as you prepare the area for installing an outdoor fireplace. Late summer early fall is the best time for landscaping projects because the cool temperatures allow new plantings to get established without the stress of dry hot weather. Begin now, complete your space and enjoy a colorful autumn gathered around your outdoor fireplace.

Take advantage of seasonal clearance sales to put together a “picnic anytime kit”. Keeping gear organized will increase the chances of taking a spontaneous picnic trip or better yet, have everything pulled together for football tailgating season. Here are some ideas with gearing up for end of summertime fun by going on a picnic or for simply roasting marshmallows on a firebowl in your own backyard.

Purchase plastic plates, cups, napkins, plastic utensils, unbreakable salt and pepper shakers and organize them in a deep tray or basket. Store them near the back door for quick loading  in the car or out to the patio. As warm days lessen, place the basket down in a plastic tub and store away while keeping the picnic gear accessible and organized in the attic or on a garage shelf.

Uniflame offers a firebowl with folding legs which comes with a carrying case. Not only is it is easily portable to picnics, but also perfect for camping or tailgating. Roasted hotdogs and marshmallows are great for these occasions, I have not met a kid who doesn’t like hotdogs or would turn down a crispy toasted marshmallow anytime of year. S’mores are great for picnics because the ingredients don’t take up room in the cooler and if the chocolate gets too warm all the better. Keep a bundle of wood near and pack of matches in your picnic anytime kit.

Buy some yard-game equipment: Frisbees, horseshoes, badminton or crochet gear and keep all gear in one place. Like the carrying case with this firebowl, I purchased a ladder golf game that came with a carrying case. Keeping these items stored near the picnic kit helps to not forget the frisbee or leave the fire pit at home.

All home centers and super stores have plastic tubs, my favorite are see through with locking clips on the ends. Organize all this picnic gear inside. Keep salt and matches for the firebowl fresh and dry by throwing in those little packets enclosed in a new shoebox. Now that summer gear is on clearance, pick up some bargains for your picnic anytime kit and quick get away this weekend!