Monthly Archives: July 2018

Sheet Falling Waterfalls: Add a Splash of Elegance to Your Yard

Whether they’re called ‘sheer descent,’ ‘sheet falling,’ or ‘water curtains,’ these elegant waterfalls add a splash of elegance to any yard.

“Clients with free-form pools, and more natural landscape designs, often prefer free-flowing waterfalls,” says Deck and Patio’s Dave Stockwell. “But those who style tends toward the contemporary, and who prefer, for example, geometric pools, really appreciate the modern feel of sheet falling waterfalls.” 

These sheet falling water features flow in an attractive angle to produce a sleek effect in both sight and sound, says Dave. Falling in a continuous stream (or sheet), their water flow thrusts outward in an arc from a pool wall or other encasement and the water pressure may be adjusted for a range of effects.

Pool equipment companies, including Jandy, manufacture this type of waterfall fixture with self-contained plumbing that is simple to install for an easy upgrade in many areas of your yard. 

For example, Deck and Patio incorporated these waterfalls in a variety of ways — as the “spill” of a spillover spa, an elegant flow inside pools, and even flowing from an outdoor bar. (See examples below.)

Wherever they are added, these water features are a sheer joy — perfect for just about any size space.

 

Pool Waterfall/Howard Beach, NY:

Pool Waterfall/Howard Beach, NY:

We installed this fountain-style ‘sheer descent’ waterfall within a Techo-Bloc Graphix wall attached to their home’s backyard pool, at the same time we added a new Techo-Bloc paver pool surround. The contemporary look of the wall and arched water flow perfectly complement their geometric pool.

 

Sheer Descent Waterfalls (Long Island/NY):

Sheer Descent Waterfalls (Long Island/NY):

Deck and Patio built this outdoor bar with a sheer descent waterfall feature. The two waterfalls use only a minimum of water flow. This is because we installed an underground Aquascape “pondless waterfall” system that captures the falling water after it seeps through the ground, and filters it as it pumps it back up into fresh falling water. (Note: This is a closeup photo of the feature photo at the top of today’s page.)

 

Salt Water Pool with Waterfalls (Long Island/NY):

Salt Water Pool with Waterfalls (Long Island/NY):

Deck and Patio’s landscape designer chose Techo-Bloc pavers to harmonize with the vinyl pool liner by Loop-Loc (installed by True Blue Swimming Pools). 

The two flanking sheer descents flow out of a raised patio lounging area — a perfect spot to enjoy the sounds of the waterfalls while sun bathing.

 

Custom Hot Tub With Waterfall (Long Island/NY):

Custom Hot Tub With Waterfall (Long Island/NY):

Deck and Patio’s complete upgrade of our clients’ pool included an encased portable spa with a sheer descent waterfall flowing out of it into the pre-existing pool. A new privacy wall, also faced in stone, stands behind it, topped with a fire bowl and a second waterfall to create a spectacular setting — day and night.

 

Geometric Pool with Landscaping (Long Island/NY):

Geometric Pool with Landscaping (Long Island/NY):

The steps Deck and Patio installed just above the far end of the pool are part of a natural retaining wall of boulders; they lead to a delightfully landscaped wilderness where pool equipment has been artfully hid. And, of course, the pool includes elegant sheer descent waterfalls and is surrounded by a patio in complementary random geometric patterns.

 

 

By |2018-07-26T13:36:57-05:00July 26th, 2018|Backyard Upgrades, Design and Build Experts, Outdoor Living, Pondless Waterfalls, Ponds & Water Features, Pool Waterfalls, Spillover/Custom Spas, Sustainable Water Features|Comments Off on Sheet Falling Waterfalls: Add a Splash of Elegance to Your Yard

Posh Picnics: Getting Away to Your Deck – Part II

In Part II of ‘getting away to your deck,’ we’re sharing another fun and trendy outdoor activity: hosting a posh picnic. 

This outdoor dining experience is quite different from the sit-on-the-grass type of al fresco meal. Most of the menu will be pre-made like a regular picnic, but it tends to be more gourmet and served à la fancy.

Most importantly, any outdoor dining chairs ensure there will be no sore backsides, or “numb bums” as in the case of picnics on a blanket on the ground.

A posh picnic can be part of a ‘glamping’ weekend (see last week’s blog) or an event all of its own. Of course, it can be held away from home, but it’s a lot easier hosted right in your own yard and deck. It can also be catered. 

 

 

Posh Up Your Deck Decor

Very Posh Picnic

Very Posh Picnic

Even if you have a handsome deck (as all our Deck and Patio projects are of course…ahem), you can still consider some decorative flourishes. 

But before choosing them, you might want to begin with a theme. For example, you could host a ‘garden party picnic’ — where beautiful blooms take center stage.

You could also include on your invitations what your guests should wear. 

For example, you can host a cocktail hour on your patio before the picnic and pass around some finger foods like mini Caprese bites, or strawberry bruschetta or anything that might have come from your garden. For this kind of theme, ladies might be encouraged to wear clothing designed with florals.

Next. Besides a sturdy table, some sort of tablecloth is a must — perhaps white linen but something more colorful might suit you best. Also consider some crystal glasses, and, of course, at least a few pieces of fine china. 

 

Lighting Sets the Right Mood

Lighting Sets the Right Mood

To finish glamming up your deck, add some attractive throw pillows to your picnic table benches or dining chairs, if they do not already have comfy cushions.

And if you think the event will last into the evening, a few strings of lights and music will help keep the mood lively.

 

Picnic Menu’s Are Usually Made Ahead

The basic idea for a posh picnic is: the breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea is primarily made up of pre-packaged or pre-cooked foods — in other words, this isn’t a barbecue. And because it’s on your deck, everything is just steps away in your kitchen. No concerns about transporting delicate foods in the warm summer weather.

 

Posh Picnic Appetizers

Posh Picnic Appetizers

Posh Picnic Appetizers

 

For appetizers, how about some prosciutto, cheese, white wine and aioli along with baskets of crusty bread.

Maybe serve this with some pâté and olives.

 

 

 

Simplified Main Menu

 Posh Fried Chicken

Posh Fried Chicken

A relative once told me she was, “gourmet-impaired,” and some of your friends may also prefer simpler food. So, for an upscale menu that’s more tried and true, there’s nothing like cold fried chicken with coleslaw and potato salad. 

To ‘glamp’ these menu items up, just tie a pretty ribbon around tiered serving plates, or simply use  decorative plates or bowls when serving them. Frankly, we don’t know anyone who’d turn their nose up at crispy fried chicken and a glass of cold white wine.

 

Gourmet Main Menus

Yummy Cold Salmon

Yummy Cold Salmon

 

Grilled Ahi tuna, ready to be grabbed from your kitchen fridge when it’s time to serve, is one sophisticated choice.

Another is cold salmon fillets.

 

Either of these could be served with an idea we saw on Pinterest: roasted aubergine and lentil salad with mint and yoghurt dressing.

Sound pretty yummy?

 

The Yummiest!

Lobster..Yum!

Lobster..Yum!

Of course, you won’t go wrong with warm or cold lobster, served in a buttery broth or with some homemade mayonnaise, a rémoulade, or a béarnaise or hollandaise on the side for dipping.

This crustacean doesn’t require much gilding, but a variety of salads would be nice. For cold lobster, maybe a potato salad of purple or multi-colored baby potatoes. 

 

Desserts, etc.

And for dessert? A summer fruit salad and almond cake could be a crowd pleaser. Or a rich homemade brownie, or perhaps some mini meringues, or different colored French macarons (very different from macaroons).   

If your theme is a posh afternoon tea, the ideas are endless. Scones would be a must for this, with lots of fresh berries and cream — and, of course, some cucumber or poached salmon sandwiches. We believe you can even hire a butler to serve, if you wan to go the full Downton Abbey monty. 

One last suggestion. Don’t forget some filtered water along with the wine and/or champagne.

 

So here’s to summer on your deck, 2018!

 

 

 

 

 

By |2018-07-19T13:34:32-05:00July 19th, 2018|Composite Decking, Deck and Patios, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living, Patios & Decks, Trex Decking, Wood Decks|Comments Off on Posh Picnics: Getting Away to Your Deck – Part II

Camping Or Glamping: Getting Away to Your Deck

Updated 7-20-23

Recently, House Beautiful online published 85 Landscaping Ideas to “Create an Enchanting Outdoor Space,” suggesting “you may never want to go indoors again.”

At Deck and Patio we were delighted to see similar examples of our own designs listed as noteworthy. One in particular caught our eye — create a glamping (or camping) retreat.

Decks are ideal for this as they offer a key ingredient — a flat sturdy surface to put up your tent and house any other amenities that will make camping or glamping only a step outside your own door.

We don’t mind boasting that the decks and platforms suitable for such delightful experiences happen to be one of our specialties.

Note: To add to the camping experience, it’s wonderful if you have a wilderness area near your deck. But it’s not necessary. As you’ll see from our tips below, it’s easy to add a natural look to any deck experience.

And if your existing deck isn’t ample enough for all your camping plans, it probably can be expanded or redone.

 

The Joys of Camping

For the uninitiated, when you go camping, not only do you fall asleep to the sound of crickets, and wake to a symphony of birds, but, camping on your own deck means you don’t have to travel anywhere to do it. 

Deck Railing Planter

Deck Railing Planter

 

 

This can be a terrific experience even if you don’t have natural wilderness areas on your property to drink in during the evening outside. It’s easy to naturalize your deck with a few containers of plants.

 

 

 

 

The deck camp begins with a tent, of course. And if you’re worried that you don’t know how to put it up, there are a lot of tent set up videos on Youtube.

Also: plan for some folding chairs. Your night outside won’t be spent only in the tent. String a few lights, get out the citronella candles, and you’re pretty much ready to go.

Lastly, just collect enough sleeping bags (or sheets and blankets, see ‘glamping’ below), an easy-to-put-up crib for any younger children and your kids’ favorite blankets and sleep items.

You don’t have to worry about snacks — your kitchen is just steps away. 

Want to Glamp It Up?

Tips for turning the relatively rustic style of camping into the glorious comfort of “glamping” takes a bit more work than pitching a tent if you want to do this at home. For some creative ideas on what goes into having a luxurious camping experience, we found a lot of ideas at the website of glamping holiday resorts. 

For example, our feature photo at the top of our blog is from Daylesford Holiday Park (Victoria Australia). And their website offers some great comfort amenities to get you thinking about what you could include in and around your tent.

Hudson Valley Luxury Camping

Hudson Valley Luxury Camping

 

Closer to home, the Collective Hudson Valley has some very sophisticated ideas for true glamping.

Their retreat at Liberty Farms is inspiring. Their setups may be a bit of work if you plan to only camp out for a night or two. But if you want to have your own summer-long glamp-site, their website is not to be missed for ideas.

 

 

However, if you want to upgrade a camping experience from just plain sleeping bags to something a bit more refined, Pinterest has a wealth of ideas for easy glamping. Here’s just one helpful post we foundt:

 

“Setting Up Camp ..With so many options available, finding a pop-up weatherproof tent has never been easier. Choose one that best meets your needs in terms of size and portability. This one from Ikea works well because it has a solid structure, movable drapes and is large enough to fit two cots.”

“Setting Up Camp
..With so many options available, finding a pop-up weatherproof tent has never been easier. Choose one that best meets your needs in terms of size and portability. This one from Ikea works well because it has a solid structure, movable drapes and is large enough to fit two cots.”

 

Here’s to summer on your deck!

 

By |2023-07-20T13:56:54-05:00July 12th, 2018|Backyard Escapes, Composite Decking, Deck and Patios, Fire Pits, Outdoor Living, Outdoor Rooms, Trex Decking, Wood Decks|Comments Off on Camping Or Glamping: Getting Away to Your Deck
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