The Wicked Yard

Rooms Without Roofs: 5 Outdoor Living Trends for 2021

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on May 26, 2021 8:24:12 AM

 

In 2020, backyards around the world suddenly became so much more: gyms, offices, bars and restaurants. As the new hot spots for social gatherings, outdoor living spaces took on new importance—and popularity. 

Read More

Topics: Fireplaces, Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, fire pit

Long Live The Queen: A Queen Anne Victorian Is Restored

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on May 4, 2021 8:00:00 AM

 

Narragansett, Rhode Island was first surging in popularity as a summer resort town in 1887 when a Queen Anne Victorian home was built at the corner of Narragansett Avenue and Robinson Street. With stained-glass windows, ornate bargeboards, and a charming assortment of shingle styles, it was a turn-of-the-century dream home. Flash forward 130+ years and the once stately Victorian still stands in the Pier neighborhood of the quaint seaside town, but the exterior was weathered, the interior structurally deficient, and the home sat on its corner lot, vacant and abandoned. 

 

Read More

Topics: Historic restoration, Outdoor living, New England, Indiana Limestone, Woodbury Gray

Textures, Colors and Patterns Bring Life to an Expansive Outdoor Living Space Designed With Natural Stone

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Apr 9, 2021 8:20:50 AM

Virginia-based interiors stylist Sarah Raak of SKG Designs had been planning a project to redo her backyard patio for a while. But if ever there was an impetus to finally get it going it was this thing called 2020. Although this year brought challenges, it taught us to learn to appreciate the nature, air and space around us. It also allowed us to think outside the box and to innovate — challenges that have always informed Raak’s approach to design.

Read More

Topics: Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, fire pit

Max Out Your Outdoor Living with These Fire Pit Accessories

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Oct 15, 2020 8:00:00 AM

As pandemic must-haves go, first there were vegetable gardens to keep us busy outside this spring and then in the summer, pools — from the blow up kiddie pool variety to the in-ground sort — helped us stay out of the house while in the safety of our backyard.

As we move into fall, fire pits are trending for homeowners who want to extend their outdoor living season as long as possible because like it or not: winter is coming.

Read More

Topics: Outdoor living, fire pit, DIY Fire Pit

Pull Up a Chair and Light Up the Night: 15 Natural Stone Fireplaces & Fire Pits

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Aug 28, 2020 8:00:00 AM

Long before sheltering-in-place went into effect — before masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer were de rigueur — outdoor living was a thing. Over the last 10 years, homeowners have embraced the concept and created refuges that feature outdoor kitchens, patios, DIY fire pits and fireplace features.

Read More

Topics: Fireplaces, Outdoor living, fire pit

Historic Connecticut Home Renovation Blends Old and New with Local Granite

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Feb 12, 2020 9:45:03 AM

From the moment she saw the historic Greek Revival home, built in the mid-1800s and set on an acre of property in charming Westport, Connecticut, actress, entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger Eva Amurri could see the potential. “We loved it from the second we saw it,” explained the mom of two young children with a third on the way, “but felt like its space was not utilized well and it lacked the grandness it deserved, given its historic location in town.

Read More

Topics: Granite, Fireplaces, Patios, Outdoor living, New England, Woodbury Gray

A DIY Granite Fire Pit Adds Classic New England Style to a Coastal-Inspired Home in Scituate, MA

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Oct 25, 2019 8:00:00 AM

As the end of the summer neared, Robbin Mangano, the lifestyle blogger behind The New England Life, and her husband, Jeff, were eager to spend the last few days of the season outside. A DIY granite fire pit from Swenson Granite Works was the perfect end-of-the-summer project and a great way to extend the livability of their backyard into the cooler months.

Read More

Topics: Granite, Outdoor living, fire pit

What’s Cooking Outdoors: Trends in Outdoor Kitchen Design

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Jun 14, 2019 5:29:37 AM
 
Whether grilling by the pool at a bustling family barbecue or savoring a quick meal on the patio on a quiet evening, the simple joy of eating outside is a pleasure in and of itself. However, cooking outdoors with all the amenities of a fully-furnished kitchen can transform outdoor dining into an experience that will delight recreational cooks and professional chefs alike.

From granite countertops to natural stone veneer, your local Swenson Granite Works’ store can provide you with a range of products to create a timeless outdoor kitchen that makes a bold statement of unmatched durability.

Read More

Topics: Outdoor spaces, Countertops, Outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, veneer

10 Outdoor Living Essentials for The Ultimate Summer Pool Party

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on May 24, 2019 8:00:00 AM

There is no better place to spend a hot summer day than poolside. By combining reinvented summer essentials with timeless granite and stone features from Swenson Granite Works, a backyard pool can become a favorite hangout spot for parties all summer long.

Read More

Topics: Outdoor spaces, Outdoor living, Pools

8 Essentials to Increase the Livability of Your Outdoor Retreat

Posted by Amanda Pittsley on Mar 25, 2019 8:34:10 AM

When it comes to designing the perfect outdoor retreat, few factors are more important than livability. A balance of comfort, warmth and functionality can make a step into your backyard feel like the start of a vacation.

Read More

Topics: Patios, Outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, Hardscape

Leave A Reply

Content not found

Do it once. Do it with stone.

Inspired ideas for your home.

 

Design inspiration and DIY tips to help you create the outdoor spaces of your dreams.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts