Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

Enjoying the outdoors doesn’t come without its downsides, one of them being pesky mosquitoes. Of course, having these insects buzzing in your ear and biting your skin can drive you crazy, but you also have to worry about the potential diseases they might be carrying. Keeping you and your family safe doesn’t require that you retreat to the indoors, it just means you need a mosquito repellent lanter.

The ThermaCELL Outdoor Lantern operates on a butane cartridge, which heats a mat that contains a synthetic insecticide called allethrin. Each allethrin mat provides up to four hours of protection, and mosquitoes will be deterred from coming within the 15 x 15′ radius. The butane cartridges last up to 12 hours.

In addition to warding off mosquitoes, the lantern provides illumination via its eight LED lights that have two settings. Although this product has a rugged structure and grip handle, you can still use this light on a patio or deck.

You can’t always rely on your local weather station to suggest the proper clothing for you to wear outside. For some individuals, 70 degree Fahrenheit weather is on the chilly side while others feel shorts and tank tops are still appropriate.

It’s nice to be able to figure out what the temperature is like without stepping outside, particularly on bitterly cold winter days. This Medium Brass Vermont Outdoor Thermometer has magnified numbers so you can easily read the temperature without going outdoors, and it measures in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

The thermometer measures 12.26” tall, and the brass casing will age beautifully over time. Because it ha s spirit tube technology, this product is mercury free. Now you can dress comfortably for the day and know the precise temperature for your area instead of a nearby city.

The bright yellow petals of a sunflower are a sure way to light up a space. Whether it’s a hot, sunny day or a gloomy afternoon, a patch of sunflowers or even a flower-inspired table can make your patio cozy.

This Sunflower Mosaic Accent Table from Pier 1 Imports is great for rain or shine. Handcrafted from iron and glass, this antiqued bronze table is sure to withstand the elements. It measures 14” W x 14” D x 21” H.

Simple side accent tables make enjoying the outdoors easier, especially on days when you only have time to sit for a few minutes and sip your tea. If you like to start your days by eating breakfast outside, a small table like this is exactly what you need on your apartment balcony or patio.

So, you want to enjoy the summer weather and the cool breezes wafting through the yard, but there’s just not enough space to have a hammock set up all the time. If that’s the case, the answer may be a portable folding hammock.

The model shown here is easy to put up and take down, so enjoy it when the weather is hammock-friendly, and fold it up for storage when you need that space for something else. This version comes with a tote bag, so you can take your hammock on the road (why settle for the picnic table at the campground when you can whip out your own lounger?). There’s even a removable pillow, so you can stay extra comfy while you enjoy the breeze.

Under $100 at Amazon:

Strathwood Portable Folding Hammock

An indoor game room is convenient during the fall and winter months, but when spring and summer comes around, it’s natural to spend more time outdoors. Since you might be unable to move your indoor game equipment outside, investing in one or two outdoor games can ensure a fun time.

The Kettler Match 3.0 Weatherproof Outdoor Tennis Table is considered international tournament size at 9′ x 5′, and the top is made from aluminum. There are also convenient paddle and ball holders so none of the accessories get lost. With the patented warp-proof top and clear coat, you can enjoy table tennis in the autumn or those rare mild winter days.

Some assembly is required with this product, but it has a 3-year manufacturer guarantee and four swiveling wheels for easy re-positioning.

We’ve looked at some unique indoor and outdoor fireplaces over the years (for example, the hand-crafted mosaic chiminea, the EcoSmart Zeta fireplace, and this artistic steel wall-mounted fireplace), and here’s another worthy model to talk about:

The Berkeley is part of Raw Urth Designs’ “Sculptural Series” fire features. It is hand-crafted from mild steel and can be customized to use either a natural gas or propane (10 gallon tank) feed.

The price is $3,200 for a base unit (not coated) and $3,500 for a coated one.

Set the Berkeley up on the patio, and it’ll sure to be the talk of your outdoor entertaining events.

http://www.rawurth.com/

If you love grilling on the road as well as at home, then you may want to invest in a good portable grill.

You’re not limited to charcoal with portable units; there are plenty of gas options for those who would rather just push a button than spend a lot of time building up a fire. The 12,000 BTU Cuisinart Tabletop Gas Grill has plenty of juice for cooking anything from hot dogs to steaks to veggie kebabs. In addition, modular panels let you cook extras such as breads and pizzas.

The tabletop grill can do everything your typical backyard model can do, but its compact size makes it ideal for folks living in condos, apartments, or who just like to grill at the park or the local football game. Stick a small propane tank into it, and you can cook anywhere.

$175 at Amazon where reviews are largely positive:

CGG-200 All-Foods 12,000-BTU

Having family over for Memorial Day weekend is the best way to spend it. But you will have to worry about shopping for food and decorations ahead of time. Otherwise, you will get caught up in the rush. If you’re planning on a simple tablescape, you definitely need an eye catching table cloth so make sure to add that to your list.

The Tangier Cactus Vinyl Table Cloth is one of many designs that you will find out there. However, the white pattern on an olive green background really pops out and looks fresh for summer. Can’t you already imagine a bowl of fruit and plates of barbecue delights on the table already?

This Mediterranean style table cloth is made from 100 percent cotton with a PVC coating for easier cleaning. It’s also machine washable, and you can iron out the backside if there are wrinkles. It measures 52” x 72”.

Tired of all those boring, bland stainless steel and solid black barbecue grills? Want something that stands out a bit more while still getting the job done? Then you might check out the colorful BBQ grills from Kamado.

Tiled with “the finest imported high gloss ceramic tile,” these custom-made grills are available in a number of colors, so you can pick one that goes with your outdoor decor.

Aesthetics aside, there are other reasons a ceramic grill may appeal to you:

• Better cooking results — according to the manufacturer, the ceramic keeps meats from drying out the way they do in metal grills, and you also get a natural flavor similar to what you get preparing food in a brick oven
• Durability — these high-quality grills have no components that can rust or burn out, and they can even withstand high winds, so feel free to grill all year around
• Large size — you’re not limited to cooking burgers with the Kamado barbecues; their generous size is big enough to smoke a turkey through convection cooking

Check out the company’s site for more information (and a large gallery of pictures) on the snazzy grills.

Ready to hit the beach in your own backyard? If you’re planning on vacationing at home this summer, you can still bring the palm tree paradise to your home with accessories.

The TransGlobe Lighting Outdoor Three Light Palm Tree Table Lamp has a bronze finish as if it were kissed by the sun. Unlike some palm tree accessories, this one is simplistic and elegant. The detailed palm leaves cascade over the light bulbs, so the entire look of this lamp exudes a sense of calm and relaxation.

You could put this lamp on your patio near a side table and chair where you like to sit, or you can set it in the middle of your patio table. Since the lamp is portable with a sturdy base, you can really put it anywhere you want outside so that it fits your needs.