|
Other advertisements
|
Outdoor Living Accessories
This page is intended for information about items such as furniture, hammocks, umbrellas, BBQs and other accessories used for relaxation or entertaining in the garden or on patios and decks. Its also intended to present a variety of merchants supplying Qld.
Balinese gazebos and similar structures are dealt with on a different page: Balinese Style Gardens
Shadehouses specifically for growing plants are dealt with here: Shadehouses, Arches, Trellis
|
Related topics:
|
|
Outdoor living products and suppliers
Advertisements
Please note that some products may only be suitable for use under cover, while others may be strictly for outdoor use only. Be sure to check with the supplier regarding the suitability of any item for its intended purpose.
NECO
|
Pictured: Mosquito Repellent Diffuser
|
Innovative and environmentally responsible products for the home, garden & office are available to order online from Neco, the eco superstore.
For the gardener, there's composting equipment and worm farms, pest control products, landscape lighting, water-saving devices, books and even wind-up radios.
Non-toxic cleaning products, personal and pet care items, homewares, office supplies, alternative energy, energy-efficient lighting also available.
Ideas for unusual but useful gifts to help your friends save energy and the environment, too. Check out the entire range at the Neco
WEBSITE
|
See also:
KITCHEN DISCOUNTS
|
BBQ utensils in addition to kitchen cookware, bakeware, knives etc. Quality brands.
Illustrated at right is the Voodoo Knife Block (Chrome).
Check the Kitchen Discounts WEBSITE for availability and more information about the entire range.
|
Retail suppliers of furniture and related outdoor accessories in or to Brisbane or Qld are sought to list here. For example: outdoor chairs and tables, umbrellas, shade sails and shade structures (for people), barbeques (BBQs) and grills, hammocks, swinging seats, outdoor rugs and mats, outdoor refrigerators and coolers, fans, outdoor heaters or fans. Products and equipment to control flies and mosquitoes in and around outdoor entertainment areas would also be appropriate.
Manufacturers may also wish to feature new and innovative products for sale which make outdoor living safer or more enjoyable and products that can withstand Australian conditions of sun, heat and humidity (e.g. rot-resistant, mold and mildew resistant or fade resistant)
More information about advertising
|
News
The American landscape, 2008
Spring Makeover for Your Landscape gives an overview of landscape trends in the USA. University of Illinois Extension (March 2008)
Americans to pursue yet more elaborate outdoor living
Leading American landscape architects are predicting a demand for outdoor living rooms and dining rooms in addition to the outdoor kitchens which have become so popular in recent years, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects. Read more at their website: Landscape Architects Identify Outdoor Design Trends For 2008
Deadly Decks Warning After Collapses in VIC and NSW Archicentre, Royal Australian Institute of Architects (December 2007)
Outdoor Living Space and Amenities Increasing in Popularity About the 2006 Home Design Trends Survey by the The American Institute of Architects
More thoughts and ideas...
The trend for "outdoor living" continues to grow around the globe. The line between "indoors" and "outdoors" is becoming increasingly blurred as people are opening up their homes and creating new living areas on patios, decks and in gardens, allowing them to cook, dine, work or just relax "al fresco".
If you work from home, outdoor rooms will allow a refreshing change of scene without having to venture too far from the office. Laptops and mobile phones help make work portable.
Make any weekend a holiday by turning your backyard into your own personal holiday resort. Many Queensland homes already have a swimming pool. Even if you don't, you can still create a tropical ambience at home with furniture for lounging, colourful drinks and some tropical plants and accessories. More ideas for creating a tropical themes here: Tropilocus.
Whether understated or over-the-top, having a theme in mind will be a useful aid when selecting from a vast range of outdoor accessories available.
Suitable lighting will extend the use of your outdoor living areas into the night, which is especially important if you plant to entertain. You can also create special effects with artistic use of coloured lights, highlighting of feature trees or architectural elements, or underwater lights in pools or water features. (Obviously, be sure that any electrical equipment used outside the home is suitable for the purpose, and installed by qualified and licensed professionals as necessary.)
Under a covered deck or patio, furniture and other accessories may not need to be as quite as tough as those designed for full outdoor use. However, they are likely to be exposed to more adverse conditions (dust, reflected UV, moisture, insects etc) than they would be indoors. So, these are not not the places for your most precious pieces, perhaps. Also, security can be an issue. Sadly, there's always the chance of theft or vandalism in accessible areas.
Residents of cool climates are adding fireplaces and heaters to their outdoor areas. For most Queenslanders, sun shading will be a more pressing need. If you're building a new home, you have the oppportunity to work with sun and shade in the orientation and design of the building. Most people have to work with an exisiting construction, but there are still many ways to add shade, from patio extensions to umbrellas, and in a variety of materials. Louvres or retractable awnings offer more control for winter sun and summer shade, which might also help to regulate temperatures inside the house.
If you do decide to add heating or cooking equipment to your patio, fire bans and smoke restrictions might affect your options. Check with local authorities if necessary. Another environmental problem in many parts of Queensland are storms and even cyclones. Remember to secure or safety store loose items in advance.
|
Links to background information
These links cover issues associated with outdoor living, plus some of the materials you might find outdoor accessories constructed from.
Effective shade structures Discusses the design of shade structures and implications for UV protection. The Medical Journal of Australia
LPG Australia Information and news for consumers and industry from the Australian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association
The Adirondack Chair
The center for Turning and Furniture Design, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Intsia bijuga (Kwila or Merbau timber) Tree Conservation Information Service, Global Trees Campaign
|
|
Other Advertisements
|
|
