Although temperatures may be warming and it may feel like summer’s upon us, the official day of summer isn’t until June 21st, which gives you just enough time to give your backyard that new look. Outdoor Rooms is a Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication and their theme for this months magazine is “Take a Vacation in Your Own Backyard.” Throughout this issue, they are giving readers a “Passport to Style” through different types of backyards and since Backyard X-Scapes is all about helping you to “Create Your Great Escape,” they featured many of our products.
Jane Austin McKeon (Outdoor Rooms Editor) describes the essence of summer entertaining and backyard enjoyment perfectly. ““My favorite time of year to entertain is summer. A barefoot and blue jeans sort of girl, I would much rather wave the neighbors over for a spur-of-the-moment glass of wine on the front porch or serve a picnic-style supper for my family on the deck than put a lot of planning and primping into a fancy dining room affair. Backyards cater to impromptu entertaining.”
Tropical flare and that “Polynesian Pop” never goes out of style. Outdoor rooms showed that with some colorful elements, playful arrangements and various lively foliage, you can create a vibrant island getaway right in your backyard. Some of the products used included Tiki Signs, Bamboo Signs, an African Thatch umbrella kit, a stainless steel BBQ island, tiki statues, and a pool table for easy entertaining.
Some key components in creating your outdoor island paradise include: Water: The sounds of falling water create a relaxing ambiance while also visually adding movement to your still backyard.
Structure: Umbrella kits, awnings and Tiki Bars, provide more than just shade to the elements. They are the physical focal points that instantly transform your backyard into the desired theme, while also creating a gathering location for entertaining. Artwork: Paintings can create dimension, set a theme, and act like windows in opening or containing certain spaces. If you happen to live in a climate that cannot grow certain tropical plants, trying hanging up artwork that includes the same texture and color qualities. Decor: One of the hardest things in re-decorating is sticking to one consistent theme. While some items can work with multiple themes, such as bamboo can be used for an Asian infused garden or a Tropical Paradise, others may not be so versatile. For the tropical look, decorate with tiki masks or tiki statues. If you have an old fence that doesn’t compliment your desired theme, bamboo fencing can be an inexpensive solution that doesn’t require that much investment or commitment.
Continuing with the tropical theme, also featured were our products that can help to “Tiki-ify” your backyard. Products shown include our 12″ Tiki Statue, African Thatch umbrella kit, Tiki Signs and a bamboo bench.
To see all of the wonderful backyard ideas and more of how our products were used, pick up the summer issue of Outdoor Rooms magazine.
It’s nearly impossible to not hear about going green, the 3 Rs (reduce reuse recycle) and the infinite ways in which you can help the planet. For your next home decorating or landscaping project, we wanted to give you 5 reasons why we are buzzing about Bamboo and what makes it so great!
1) Bamboo is STRONG
Different species of bamboo are stronger than oak, harder than cedar and have the tensional strength comparable to steel. By purchasing bamboo, you’re getting a quality building material at a fraction of the cost, and is also incredibly versatile.
2) Bamboo is GREEN Being that bamboo is not a woody tree but in fact a weed like grass, it grows at an incredibly fast rate. Unlike traditional trees that can take years or decades to grow, Bamboo can be grown and harvested at a much quicker rate. It’s a renewable resource that serves as an alternative material that can be used for an infinite number of possibilities for goods.
3)Bamboo is VERSATILE From sheets to cutting boards, fencing, tiki bars, furniture and so much more, Bamboo is being used world wide in various types of production. You can even customize your own building project with rolls of fencing or individual poles.
4)Bamboo is AFFORDABLE Let’s face it, economic times have not been at their greatest in the past few years and investing in upgrading your home or landscape can be a hefty investment. Bamboo offers an affordable way to instantly give your home and garden that tropical or zen revival. Replacing a wall or fencing around your yard can also be quite expensive but at times necessary if you’re looking to sell your home or are required by home associations; Bamboo fencing can offer a cost effective and easy solution.
5)Bamboo is an ECONOMIC SOURCE Rural and tropical environments are prime places for Bamboo to grow, but some of these areas are also some of the poorest areas in the world. Bamboo has become a viable economic resource for developing countries, providing jobs and a livelihood for many people. In addition to the economical benefits, the ecological ones are extremely prevalent as well, by reducing industrial and urbanization impacts.
The advantages and possibilities when it comes to bamboo are endless. The support and promotion of eco friendly products helps individuals today have a viable livelihood, while it is also a renewable resource that will also preserve natural resources for future generations.
Floating in the Great Pacific is an enormous patch of garbage in which is composed of 80% plastic and said to be twice the size of Texas. Also known as the “Pacific Trash Vortex”, the garbage in these areas of water are so dense with debris and garbage that have been collected by the water currents of the North Pacific Gyre. Water samples taken from recent years in comparison to collected samples in the past, shows an increase in the abundance of broken down plastics in the water.
“Researchers believe this enormous trash zone accumulated over many years from trash being dumped off boats and ocean-going ships, and from trash accumulated on beaches, where it eventually washed in the Pacific Ocean and into the huge zone.” ~cnn.com
Water bottles and plastics from consumer packaging rarely make it to the recycling bin and are the largest contributors to our landfills and in our waters. The pollution of plastics in the ocean not only presents eco-system and environmental concerns but also health risks as well. Larger plastics breakdown into smaller pieces in which small fish eat and as they are eaten by larger animals and fish, the toxicity concentration of the plastics multiply by the time they reach our food supply.
The Great Pacfic Garbage Patch on Good Morning America
Because of the abundance of debris, and the constant accumulation of more trash, cleaning up the waters is becoming a near impossible task. The best way to start is to prevent the further build up of pollution in our oceans. The next time you’re at the beach or by a river, be mindful of the garbage left and dispose of trash properly. Save money buy investing in a re-usable water bottle!
Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles every year.
Nearly eight out of every 10 bottles will end up in a landfill.
It is estimated that the production of plastics accounts for 4 percent of the energy consumption in the U.S.
HDPE and PET bottles showed the highest recycling rates of any plastic bottles types, at 27.1 and 23.1 percent, respectively.
Less than 1 percent of all plastics is recycled. Therefore, almost all plastics are incinerated or end up in a landfill.
Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a 60-watt light bulb for up to six hours.
It is easy to forget that minor decisions we make create a great impact on this earth that we live in and that the damage eventually cycles back to harm our health as well. The food we eat, the air we breath and the water we drink is all impacted by the environment and what we dump in it.
Support the use of renewable resources such as Bamboo, that can be re-grown, re-cycled and re-used for multiple purposes. For your next purchase, whether it’s a desk from Ikea, a new computer from Apple, or even a book or CD, pay attention to how much packaging is involved in your purchase and try to recycle. Support stores and companies that make conscious decisions to be green.
It’s an uphill battle, but we have to start somewhere so that future generations can enjoy this planet.
What makes Bamboo Fencing so popular is it’s versatility and low maintenance. Despite how easy it is to utilize and care for bamboo fencing, since it is a natural material, there are still things you should periodically do to ensure the life and look of your bamboo.
To prevent molding on your bamboo we always suggest keeping it from being submerged in wet ground. If you live in an area with frequent rain or if your grounds are constantly wet from a sprinkler system, we suggest placing a spacer of some sort between the actual bamboo fence and the ground.
To remove dirt and some stains, you can use a mild detergent and water to clean your fence. Once a year, or depending on need, you can use a pressurized spray to remove any caked on debris. Once your bamboo fence is dry, it is recommended that you use a waterproofing sealant. Depending on your climate, you can re-apply this sealant once or twice a year, this will also help maintain the color of your bamboo. Remember that certain colors such as Mahogany, are more prone to fading than the natural color.
Remember that can also paint or stain your bamboo. You can do this by first sanding the natural coating, then applying your stain/color of choice. After you reach the desired color, and your bamboo is dry, you can apply the sealant.
Some solutions to getting rid of mold on your bamboo are using either vinegar or a fungicide spray on your fence. It is important to ensure that the mold is gone and that your fence is dry before applying sealant.
Bamboo fencing can be used anywhere in your home and garden for almost every decorating or functional purpose, but because it is a natural material, to prolong the length of your investment, you should practice these simple steps to keep it looking beautiful.
The trend of eco-friendly living has spawned the positive trend of using Bamboo and a building material. Incredibly versatile, bamboo is being used commercially to produce everything from roofing and bridges to towels, bedsheets and cutting boards. What makes bamboo “green” is it’s ability to grow incredibly fast, unlike traditional woods.
We wanted to focus on one specific product that can be versatile to use in an infinite amount of ways. Here are 5 different ways in which Bamboo fencing can be used.
In Place of Traditional Fencing
Rather than going through the hassle and costly efforts of replacing an old fence, bamboo fencing is a cost effective way to give your old chain link fence or brick wall a brand new look. The rolled bamboo fencing is connected by a sturdy galvanized wire, so bending it and customizing it to match various landscape terrains is easy. Installation takes a fraction of the time that installing a new fence would, and bamboo offers a unique look which is different from the traditional planked wood fencing.
Accenting Your Patio
Your front or backyard patio serves as a place for you to escape from the rest of the world and relax on those beautiful Sunday mornings or after a hectic day at work. Rather than the typical white picket fencing, try adding a bit of tropical flare by using bamboo as fencing for your front porch, or even as a roof for your patio. Typical awnings and wood floorings are not only expensive but can be costly and time consuming to replace or maintain as well.
Adding Feng Shui to Your Home or Garden
Although many of us cannot take off at a moment’s notice for an across the world getaway, you can create a place of Zen at home. It is said when enhancing the Feng Shui in your home, that bamboo and water have both healing and energy balancing properties. Simple elements such as live bamboo plants, a pond or rock garden and bamboo fencing to enclose your garden, can instantly create an exotic place for you to escape to.
Decorating Walls
The common misconception is that bamboo fencing is meant for outdoor use. The magic of bamboo is it’s versatile ability to enhance and adapt to any decor. Rather than committing to a color of paint and spending a day prepping your walls, try accenting with various colors of bamboo fencing and hanging your favorite artwork. In addition to adding a new look to your room, you’ll also be adding a textural dimension to your walls.
Using Your Imagination
As we mentioned earlier, bamboo can be used for an infinite amount of things. When you purchase a roll of bamboo fencing, you are not limited to just outdoor fencing uses. Our bamboo fencing can be used in place of driveway gates, as room dividers, accenting ends of a baby crib or even as decorative roofing.
No matter your decorating style, modern, industrial, classic or contemporary, by incorporating bamboo, you are infusing a unique and tropical look while also promoting the use of a renewable resource.
