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Dining Al Fresco This Fall!

I love dining al fresco during early stages of autumn. The leaves are beginning to change colors and there is a cool, crisp breeze in the air, not to mention fewer bugs. Below are some of my favorite table settings for fall to help get you in the mood for outdoor dining. Enjoy!

From Rustic Chic

From Coastal Living

From Southern Accents

From Southern Living

Extend your Outdoor Living into Fall

Labor Day usually signifies the end of summer for many Americans. You might think the time for lounging outdoors has come to an end as well, but for some it becomes even more enjoyable. No more pesky mosquitoes to interrupt your time outdoors and with cooler weather you aren’t rushing to head back indoors to avoid the heat. To help extend your outdoor living well into the fall try installing an outdoor fireplace or fire pit so you can keep warm during the colder months.

Below are some of the fireplaces and fire pits installed by Outdoor Environments.

Outdoor Fireplace by Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Fireplace by Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Fire Pit by Outdoor Environments

Outdoor Fire Pit by Outdoor Environments

For more information please give us a call at 913-897-2706 or visit us online at Outdoorenvironments.com.

Great Porches for Entertaining

We love creating outdoor spaces for our clients that can be multi-functional. Porches are great because they can be used for entertaining friends, relaxing after a long day at work, a place for the kids to cool off from summer’s heat… the list is endless. We recently found some great ideas for porches on the My Home Ideas site. Here are a few we like:

In this inside out style, a clever pass-through leads to an outdoor kitchen with all the necessities, including a sink, grill, and under counter storage. The barn doors allow the owners to close the area off completely when the weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor plans.

Screened porches are a great ways to bridge the gap between the indoors and outdoors.  They also extend the living area of the home to accommodate guests, as well as serve as an extra kitchen.

The indoor kitchen in this screened cabana includes a professional grade grill, draft beer dispenser, and a warming drawer. With indoor and outdoor seating, as well as the small pool and firepit, this porch is the ultimate place for entertaining all year long!

Check out My Home Ideas to see the rest of their favorite porches for entertaining. Find something inspirational? Let us know so we can help create the porch of your dreams!

Photo credit: Myhomeideas.com.

A Tale of Two Terraces

We’ve said it before, but we love creating an outdoor living space for our clients to enjoy. When space is limited we often suggest something along the lines of a terrace. A more intimate setting, a terrace still offers the homeowners a place to go and enjoy the fresh air and night sky.

We came across these beautiful terraces in The New York Times Magazine style section. Located in London, each of these terraces offers the homeowner a different outdoor experience.

Rita Konig for The New York Times Magazine

This above terrace is used, according to Rita Konig with the Times, for dining alfresco. I bet the view of this quaint little terrace is exquisite from the inside.

Rita Konig from The New York Times Magazine

According to Rita, “The other terrace is more of an outdoor sitting room, with a banquette, brass sconces, and an outdoor fireplace. There is also an awning that can come down at night, and wall heaters that allow the terrace to be used well into the fall.”

We love the look and feel of both terraces, the perfect complement to any home. What do you think?

Protect yourself this summer with UVSunSense

We are aware that summer is almost over and we might be a little late introducing our new favorite product, but it’s better late than never. Recently we stumbled across the UVSunSense wristband on Good Housekeeping and we wanted to share the good find with you. The UVSunSense wristband was developed by a nuclear physicist and lets you know when your sunscreen has worn off.  How many of us forget to reapply the sunscreen while at the beach or pool only to later realize that we’ve been sunburned.

This product uses photochromatic dyes to indicate whether you are protected or not with your sunscreen. First you apply the sunscreen (you must use a SPF of 15 or higher) to your skin and the band. The color of the wristband will turn a lavender shade to let you know when it is time to reapply. If the band becomes a pale yellow, than your skin is in trouble. The great thing about this product is that it works in both salt and chlorinated water.

So spend the rest of the summer secure in knowing that you and your loved ones are protected from the sun.

Get Inspired by HGTV

We came across these inspiring outdoor living spaces on HGTV and wanted to share them with you, our readers. Outdoor fireplaces and kitchens have become very popular within the last couple of years. It makes for a perfect place to spend your evenings.  These additions not only add beauty to your outdoors, but they can add convenience as well.

Why Choose Outdoor Environments

We love to create beautiful outdoor living spaces for our clients. Our work in the Kansas City area has won us awards, but the greatest achievement is seeing the smile on our clients’ faces. If you are looking to build a space that is unique to your needs and environment please give us a call at 913-897-2706.

• Annual recipient of NARI Awards for Design, Building and Contracting Excellence including
• 2-Time winner Contractor of the Year for Exterior Specialties
• 4-Time Winner of the prestigious National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI) Award for home remodeling
• Judges for the Kansas City Home & Garden “Home of the Year” Award

Designing Outdoor Living Spaces for Kansas City

We have been designing and building decks for the greater Kansas City area for almost 20 years. At Outdoor Environments, Inc we want to make the most of your outdoor living space. Whether you are looking for a single or multi-level deck or an addition to your home we can build you the space of your dreams.

Take a look below at some of our work.

If you have any questions please give us a call at 913-897-2706.

Plan Your Last Barbecue Before School Starts

Schools are starting back this month and summer break is beginning to wind down in Kansas. We might have a couple of months left of warm weather before fall sets in, but with school in session, our outdoor living will be reduced to a couple of hours on the weekend.

Outdoor Kitchen by Outdoor Environments

 

Make the most of summer by hosting a back-to-school barbecue and fire up the grill with this delicious recipe from the Food Network.

The Neely’s Kansas City Style Pork Ribs
Ingredients

  • 2 slabs pork spare ribs, 3 pounds each
  • Kansas City Barbeque Sauce, recipe follows

Dry Rub:

  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Remove the thin white membrane off of the bone-side of the ribs. Mix together the brown sugar, dry mustard, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Massage the rub into the ribs and let sit for 1 hour or up to overnight.If cooking on the grill, place the ribs meat-side down next to medium-hot coals that are about 225° F. The indirect heat will cook them slower, making them tender. Allow to cook for 1 hour. Turn ribs every half hour and baste with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce. Cook until the ribs are tender, about 3 to 4 hours.  

If cooking indoors, place in a roasting pan with a rack. Slather the ribs with the Kansas City Barbeque Sauce and tent a piece of aluminum foil over them. In a preheated 350° F. oven, place the ribs, basting with the sauce every 30 minutes and removing the foil for the last 30 minutes and cooking until fork tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Kansas City Barbeque Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (about 2/3 cup)small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup (2 (6-ounce) cans) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a small sauce pot on medium-high heat, heat the oil and add the onion, cooking until translucent.

Add the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix together. Add to sauce pan and let simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Use to baste the pork spare ribs.

Yield: 3 cups