Wicker Outdoor Dining Set

Plan an Outdoor Living Area

"The line between indoor and outdoor spaces is blurring and the overall trend is to create a seamless flow between the areas," said Ann Sundet, an Allied ASID interior designer who has appeared on national home decorating television programs, and product manager at Homecrest, a leading manufacturer of affordable luxury furniture for outdoor living. "Outdoor spaces should reflect the home's interior design aesthetic so the areas blend together."

In fact, many homeowners regard outdoor living spaces as an addition to their homes, adding useful extra square footage. Here are five design tips and trends to consider while furnishing outdoor living areas:

Be consistent with quality: Ensure that your outdoor furnishings are compatible with the overall quality of your home and landscape. "If you're investing in a major landscape project, include furniture in the planning and budget process to help showcase the finished space and enhance your enjoyment of it," Sundet advised.

Design by spaces: Design your outdoor spaces to meet your family's versatile needs, including entertaining, lounging, dining, working and relaxation. Dining sets are a staple but just one of many available options. For example, bar height tables and chairs work well in poolside areas to facilitate a bird's eye view over young swimmers; chat chairs and tables are perfect for intimate conversation areas; and reclining lounge chairs are ideal for R&R spaces.

Break out of beige mode: Color is in -- be creative with it. Incorporate a dash of vibrancy with colorful throw pillows or blankets. Mix solid upholsteries with stripes, florals or patterns. Consider red or blue frame finishes for added flair. Buy a striped umbrella and cover each chair in different coordinating colors. "The options are endless with custom outdoor furniture," said Sundet. The Homecrest Index (HI) Design Center, available at stores that carry Homecrest products, simplifies the customization process so you can design spaces that reflect your unique style.

Sit soft and pretty: Many new outdoor furniture collections feature deep, soft, cushions with decorative detailing. They closely resemble interior living room furniture but are technically designed to withstand the elements and dry quickly.

Top it off with stone: Granite, marble, tile and faux stone are among the many stylish tabletop options now available to address the growing demand for beautiful, natural-looking surfaces that coordinate with the home's interior stone surfaces.

Source:http://www.homecrest.com/ .

A leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, women are influencing 44 percent of all outdoor power equipment purchases - 21 percent of all outdoor power equipment is purchased by women and another 23 percent is purchased by men and women together. Outdoor power equipment ranges from trimmers to chain saws and blowers.

"Women tend to view the backyard as an extension of the living room and will take on projects to turn the space into their ideal outdoor haven, whether it's growing an herb garden, installing a fire pit or digging a pond," said Heidi Ketvertis, brand manager at Troy-Bilt.

"Women tell us that outdoor power equipment can be intimidating and frustrating," said Ketvertis. "Women want products that are easy to start, simple to use and provide versatility."

Here are a few new product features on the market today with women in mind:

-- Easy to start - Avoid the aggravation by purchasing products that offer an advanced starting system and take less muscle to get the engines roaring. For example, there are lawn mowers that start with a push of a button and trimmers that have spring-starting assistance that reduces pulling resistance by up to 55 percent.

-- Lightweight - Whether you're planting new flowers or treating the lawn for weeds, gardening can be an exhausting task. To ease the pain, manufacturers are introducing smaller or portable versions of their most popular products that are often less than half the weight of their counterparts. For example, this year, Troy-Bilt introduced an edger weighing less than 25 lbs., making it simple to maneuver and easy to store.

-- Versatile - Research shows women today are multi-taskers and are seeking innovation plus convenience to meet their busy schedules. To meet this demand, many products have interchangeable parts that allow gardeners to tackle more than one task. For example, a full-line of Troy-Bilt's string trimmers, including the TB575SS, has the ability to accept eight interchangeable attachments, making it a snap to edge, cut, trim and blow.

-- Environmentally friendly - Most outdoor power equipment features a two-cycle engine that requires the hassle of mixing oil and gas. Many products are now offering a four-cycle engine. It eliminates the need to mix gas and oil, cuts emissions by 50 percent and offers 30 percent greater fuel efficiency.

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