| reat outdoors is the place to relax, but with | | | | color. Left outside in its natural state, cedar will change |
| everyone’s busy schedules, no one has the | | | | to silver gray. You can also stain cedar in the color of |
| time to do that weekend trip to the mountains or the | | | | your choice to match your decor. |
| beach. After reading this article you should be able to | | | | Cypress |
| create your own weekend retreat, right in your | | | | Is extremely resistant to decay and insects. With its |
| backyard. With a little bit of guidance on decorating | | | | 'grown-in-the-wood' preservative oil, there is no further |
| themes, furniture selections, and placement, you should | | | | chemical treatment needed, unless the cypress lumber |
| be on your way to have the backyard everyone | | | | is in direct contact with the ground. It is dimensionally |
| envies. | | | | stable and naturally resistant to splitting and warping. If |
| STEP 1 | | | | left unsealed cypress will turn silver gray. |
| The first step is to find the Decorative Theme. At this | | | | Redwood |
| point you may want to determine what kind of theme | | | | Is a natural alternative to pressure treated lumber. It is |
| or style you want your backyard to take on. Some | | | | known that Redwood resists decay caused by the |
| examples may include, creating a touch of Paradise, | | | | environment and insect infestation. Over time |
| Bohemian Chic, French Country, Southern Plantation, | | | | Redwood will weather to a natural silvery-gray tint. |
| Classic Cottage, Shabby Chic and the list goes on | | | | Once you have chosen your decorating theme, the |
| forever. The main focus is to find the look that reminds | | | | furniture selection should come naturally. |
| you of relaxation and comfort. For this article, we are | | | | Today’s interior designers have made it simple |
| going to go with a Southern Plantation look. | | | | for people to find what they want, by making |
| STEP 2 | | | | collections under a particular design theme. Since, we |
| The second step is to find the furniture that goes with | | | | have chosen the Southern Plantation theme as the |
| your outdoor theme. While searching for the perfect | | | | model, we need to look for furniture that represents |
| furnishings, keep in mind that comfort should always | | | | the Old South. Rocking chairs or primitive furniture will |
| come first before the appearance. Also, make sure to | | | | give the look of old, yet classic. |
| always do some research on the type of wood used | | | | STEP 3 |
| in the construction. Wood choices to consider: | | | | The third and final step is to place the furniture to |
| Southern Yellow Pine | | | | complete the atmosphere. Furniture placement is very |
| Provides a long-term protection from rot, decay and | | | | important and one really needs to put some thought |
| termites. The yellow pine is from the southeast region, | | | | into the best place. If you put your furniture to close to |
| where temperatures range from extreme cold to | | | | the noisy neighbors, you will lose the feel of relaxation |
| extreme heat, this allows the wood to adjust to any | | | | and maybe even privacy. The arrangement of |
| climate. All wood patio furniture is subject to a natural | | | | furnishings should be tucked away in a spot where |
| process called "checking". Checking occurs when the | | | | you can escape from the outside world. You want |
| wood releases its moisture through its growth rings. | | | | your nights of family dinners or reading a book to be |
| This is a normal process and occurs only on the | | | | enjoyable. Another issue is, if you plan to entertain, |
| surface of the wood. Checking does not affect the | | | | positioning the furniture to make a more welcoming |
| wood’s structural integrity. | | | | setting is the key. Putting the furniture away from the |
| Teak Wood | | | | house will make an open invitation to the glare from |
| Contains natural oil and Silica (sand), which makes it | | | | the sun or the army of insects at night. You want to |
| impervious to insects, and wood rot. These | | | | create a feeling of comfort, so by doing that with the |
| substances also help it to maintain its luster for many, | | | | theme chosen, you would put the rocking chairs facing |
| many years. Teak will turn to silver gray if left | | | | each other for the look of open conversations. By |
| unsealed. | | | | putting all the furniture in groups you are allowing |
| Cedar | | | | guests to feel at ease to have a chat and the party |
| Is a softer wood, but repels insects and rot just like the | | | | will be a hit. |
| other types of wood. With Cedar being a very | | | | With all the information combined, you should be getting |
| lightwood, it is easy to work with and will always have | | | | closer to your outdoor dream. Just remember to do |
| that uncommon smooth-surface. The two most used | | | | your research on the type of furniture you may want |
| types of Cedar are the Western Red Cedar and | | | | first, so will enjoy it for years to come!! |
| Northern White Cedar, both known for their great | | | | |