Modern Outdoors

Wood Deck Design Ideas

When building your new home, a solution to saving some trees around the house and also enjoying the conveniences of modern outdoor decking is this wood deck design idea from Anderson and Anderson architects. An interesting idea for all nature lovers who like having trees around. If you choose to go with the outdoor wood deck then it can be carefully cut out to follow the shape of a tree trunk. Surely, multiple cut-outs can be made to embrace several trees. Afterwords, why not try decorating with river stones and allowing grass to grow up in that place? A great variety of other plants can be planted around the wood deck designed this way. You will get a modern look for your backyard, and also choose a environment-friendly solution. Who would have thought keeping trees safe through simple deck designs can be so easy? Anderson and Anderson.

15 Mar 2009 | Outdoor Decking | Comments (0)

Outdoor Hammock by Royal Botania - new Wave

The Wave is a new outdoor hammock from Belgian company Royal Botania. Imagined by two Swedish designers, this innovative and luxury hammock design aims to recreate the concept of outdoor furniture. Elegantly holding itself on one leg it looks like it's about to fall ... causing great curiosity and a unique feel of unexpected ... yet it proves to provide a cozy atmosphere for a person inside. Under the canopy, made to block 86 percent of the sun rays, there is always shade that you will enjoy... similarly to how you would in the shadow of trees. Pictured at the ocean, it's the perfect place for this unusual design. Looking fabulous with its modern rounded forms, the Wave hammock from European outdoors to you, by Royal Botania.

12 Mar 2009 | Outdoor Furniture | Comments (0)

Eco Friendly Outdoor Shelter from Bleu Nature

The ILLU eco friendly outdoor shelter is made by a French company Bleu Nature. Constructed out of organic materials while utilizing no glues or varnishes, the ILLU outdoor shelter is a green outdoor product. Based on a steel structure, the shelter itself is made from natural oak coming from French forests. With practically no finish applied, the wood will weather over time to a certain natural color depending on where it is installed. By choosing this solution, having a unique outdoor piece of furniture is guaranteed. Just relaxing with the ocean breeze or reading a book on your patio, anything is possible underneath this shelter. Visit Bleu Nature.
via Contemporist

9 Mar 2009 | Outdoor Furniture | Comments (0)

Pocket Shower for Outdoors

For all outdoor adventurers out there, this is the ultimate accessory to own: a pocket shower. If you have experienced the need of proper cleaning in the middle of nowhere and had no other alternatives than wet wipes, you will sure appreciate this invention. When unfolded, the shower turns into a waterproof storage able to hold up to ten litres of water at a time. Any trouble washing properly when outdoors or on a long trip is now history. Of course, if the sun is up and shining, the water can turn warm and the shower will become an even more pleasant experience. It works easily with the use of a nearby tree to hang it from. You just have to get out the incorporated shower head and that’s it. So, next time you venture outdoors, be sure to pack this handy pocket shower.
via I Want One Of Those

8 Mar 2009 | Water Features | Comments (0)

Cool Tree Swing

We spotted this adorable tree swing on the Fuori Salone's website. We do not know who makes it or where it's sold but if you're crafty enough you can try to create your own - the elegant design is surely a desirable one. A delicate lacing in the form of a leaf, practical and cute. Imaging yourself swinging with the ocean breeze on the sunset ... Makes you want one? Perfect for your garden, you can hang it on a tree branch. Thinking about it as an outstanding feature which completes your home makes it irresistible. Bring over some friends, let your kids play with it. Everybody enjoys this special type of garden accessory. The tree swing is easy to set up, and even easier to enjoy. Photo credit: Daniela Petrillo.

4 Mar 2009 | Outdoor Furniture | Comments (1)

Traditional Japanese Stone Basins from Stone Forest - garden basin collection

Stone Forest produces a wide range of Japanese stone basins, perfect to complete the look of any garden. Whether you are looking for a traditional Japanese basin, or are willing to try the Stone Forest's unique designs, you will surely be completely satisfied. Their work is guaranteed by a 16 years tradition in designing this specific range of products. Exceptional results are achieved by using the exact specifications for the traditional basins. Look at the perfect shapes they obtain. Water flowing through these pieces offers a wonderful view while creating a soothing atmosphere. If you wonder how is it that they look so breathtaking, this is the answer: hand carved stone. You only have to choose: a more rustic basin or one of the traditional products available. The arrangement of your garden could also be complete by choosing to custom make your own style of Japanese stone basin, only from Stone Forest.

2 Mar 2009 | Water Features | Comments (0)

Granite Fire Pit from Stone Forest - new fire vessels and fire bowls collection

A granite fire pit produced by Stone Forest is suitable to lighten every modern exterior. Taking their names from ancient gods, the fire vessels and fire bowls collection is innovative. All hand carved from granite, they offer strong visuals. The pits can accommodate a gas line, and gas kits can be provided by Stone Forest. The Helios Fire Vessel has a perfect sculpted shape, and the base is included. All the finishes are left with a rough appearance. Instead, the Saturn Fire Pit keeps only the base with this rough aspect, combining it with a polished upper part. This model comes either in black or blue-gray, depending on the color of the granite that was used for the making. An important note is that, being made from natural stone, these fire vessels are nature friendly and generate a cosy and warm atmosphere. The perfect products to place outdoors come now in the form of a dedicated collection of natural stone fire pits from Stone Forest.

1 Mar 2009 | Fire Features | Comments (0)

Granite Fountains from Stone Forest - landscape fountain collection

A granite fountain from Stone Forest is the ultimate accessory to complete the look of any garden. Made of natural stone, namely granite, their hewn exterior gives them a desired contrast. Surprisingly or not, such a rough finish creates an elegant appearance. This effect is achieved by carving the natural stone from a single block. Surely, the inspiration of the craftsman that ultimately decides upon their design has a major influence. But each piece that comes out of his hands is unique, making the process all worth the effort. These granite fountains have simple forms and shapes for maximum visual impact. Minimalistic but at the same time impressive. These qualities makes them suitable to be placed anywhere, and their exterior will always be outlined. For statement pieces such as granite fountains, be sure to check the landscape fountain collection from Stone Forest.

27 Feb 2009 | Landscape Designs | Comments (0)

Slate Planters from Stone Forest - outdoor planter collection

These exclusive outdoor slate planters from Stone Forest are high above any other flower pots. Each piece is unique due to the fact that is carved by hand using traditional methods. Depending on the nature of each block of stone, special effects are obtained: color variations, veinings or irregularities. The rustic appearance of these slate pots makes them blend in with the surrounding landscape and at the same time maintain their distinct personality. Made exclusively of natural stone, slate, these planter pots are a green, eco-friendly product, and are designed to host succulents and other desert flowers. So why keep those conventional flower pots? Shifting towards green and practical products like these slate planters from Stone Forest is the best alternative.

26 Feb 2009 | Planters | Comments (0)

Suspended Fire Pit from Stone Forest - new fire vessel

An original approach to fire vessels in the form of the new Suspended Fire Pit from Stone Forest. Their designs are anything but ordinary, that is an acknowledged fact. But with this product they successfully managed to blend natural stone with iron and achieve a contemporary look. Green granite is the name of the natural stone, which originally was one single boulder. The stone was cleaved in half to suspend the hand forged iron vessel in between the two resulting pieces. An astonishing view of the flames rising above makes it appear surreal. This type of fire pit can work both with wood and with gas. Also, Stone Forest can provide the gas kits which are available in natural or propane. Surely, there couldn't have been something more suitable than a Suspended Fire Pit from Stone Forest to give your outdoor space a modern look.

25 Feb 2009 | Fire Features | Comments (0)

Basalt Slab Benches from Stone Forest - new landscape sculpture collection

Perfection was achieved with these basalt slab benches from Stone Forest. And this is by no means an overstatement. The benches are made out of polished basalt, a type of volcanic rock that requires over a million years to achieve natural oxidization. Stone Forest shows appreciation towards nature and works with the original shape of the stone. The process implies carving the bench out of solid blocks of basalt. While the top seating surface is flawlessly polished, the sides retain its rough finish. The final product reveals a first-class design and excellent appearances. Dimensions vary from six to eight feet in length, but custom sizes will be produced if requested. Want an extra shine added to your landscape? Nothing can be more captivating out there in the garden than a strange light reflected of the basalt slab bench from Stone Forest.

24 Feb 2009 | Garden Accessories | Comments (0)

Modern Outdoor Chair Disk by Karim Rashid

Owo introduces a new concept in the design of outdoor furniture with this ultra modern outdoor chair - the Disk Armchair by Karim Rashid. Perfectly suitable for being placed in the backyard or poolside, the chair will provide a comfortable rest as well as outstanding looks. The shape is innovative by itself, giving the impression that the chair is floating above the ground. No need for magic here though, because the material used for this special design is fiber glass. This also allows a number of color variations as the Disk chair comes in white, yellow or black. The middle of the disk is slightly lower than the rest, as if influenced by gravitation, to provide the comfy seating space. Time spent will be pure pleasure thanks to a conveniently placed cushion in polyurethane foam and polyester fibre. The chairs are available for purchase through Owo.

23 Feb 2009 | Outdoor Furniture | Comments (0)

Contemporary Stone Benches from Stone Forest - new Sienna garden bench collection

For a modern and classy rest in your garden, the contemporary stone benches from Stone Forest are ideal. Offering a high-end design, it may be surprising to learn that these benches are cut from large slabs of travertine. But this is the secret of their unique, minimalistic appearance. Also, by using natural stone (namely travertine), the benches offer a green approach to garden decorating and promote the fact that natural means beautiful. It's also important that no commonly used man-made cement or cast stone were employed in the production process. The integrity of the travertine makes the final carving stand out discretely but powerful at the same time. The dimensions are 60" L x 20" W x 18" H with a 3.25'' thickness. The contemporary designed stone benches from Stone Forest are available in silver and beige travertine.

21 Feb 2009 | Outdoor Furniture | Comments (0)

How To Make Your Landscape Blend In With the Surrounding Nature - an Award Winning Residential Design

Can boundaries that stand between landscape architecture and nature be changed? The two harmoniously blend into a coherent shape which can adjust itself to the surrounding wilderness. This is the concept which was the starting point for the Ketchum Residence landscape design, by Lutsko Associates, winner of the the ASLA 2008 Residential Design Honor Award.
Photo credit: Marion Brenner Photography and Ron Lutsko, Jr.

Located in Wood River Valley, Ketchum, Idaho, the residence is placed on a suburban road, but opens to beautiful, natural fields. Usual projects see the landscape as being part of a distant view from inside the house. The Ketchum Residence considers inserting the natural habitat into the built space. This was achieved by letting native plants and wildflowers grow in between the stepping stones, up until close to the walls.

The weather in the area offers appropriate conditions for the project by having a desert climate. Moderate sun exposure in summer but also good winter vacation conditions. All these generate a complex flora, cleverly linked to the design. The residence integrates the local ecosystem by using pavilions and terraces. Also, it has both a walkway bounded with steel edges and a driveway, for efficient communication with the neighborhood. The indoors and outdoors are linked with paths fit for casual strolls.

The architects opted for the regional color palette both in the materials they have chosen, and also in the selection of plants for the near vicinity. This has the advantage of easy maintenance, reducing the need for exterior upkeep resources. Case in point: stone finishing for the terraces and natural rusted steel to offer appearance similar to the surrounding nature.

The Ketchum Residence offers a simple and convenient solution to approach nature once again. This time around, the focus is on bringing it inside, using simple lines, shapes and materials. By developing this project, Lutsko Associates allow the building not to act as a barrier anymore. It becomes an elegant meeting space designed for human living but with natural elements gently interfering inside of it.

19 Feb 2009 | Landscape Designs | Comments (0)

Safe Trampoline with no Springs - Springfree Trampoline

Your backyard surely misses something like this Safe Trampoline from Springfree. It comes in three different sizes to cover all needs, depending on sizing, age of jumpers and maximum load capacity. You can tell it is safer than any other trampoline out there from the very first look, but what does make it so special? Springfree has carefully chosen special technologies for producing their trampoline, making it able to top even the best on the market. The risk of harming the jumpers is practically nonexistent with the rods being placed beneath the jumping surface. Unlike any other trampolines, Springfree also uses a hidden frame, soft edges and a patented net. Is a great example of a product that overpasses any technical limits to offer security and lots of fun. With all of the above, you're sure to go for a Springfree safe trampoline in the near future.

16 Feb 2009 | Outdoor Furniture | Comments (0)

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