Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

21 Dec

Happy New Year from Creekstone Outdoor Living!

Are you as surprised at how quick 2018 has zipped by in the blink of an eye? We sure are! It’s been a great year and this is the time we pause and reflect, analyze the year behind us and look ahead with great anticipation for the year to come. We consider what went well and look for opportunities for growth. With the year behind us, here’s a look at 2018 with Creekstone Outdoor Living. Share on X

Creekstone Outdoors Brings Home the Pinnacle Award!

Creekstone Outdoor Living is pleased to announce that they have been honored as a 2018 Pinnacle Award Winner by Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living Magazine! Sam Hickey, the owner of Creekstone Outdoor Living, teamed up with Regal Pools to create an outdoor living masterpiece that won top honors for Ultimate Outdoor Entertaining Space.

Creekstone Outdoor Living: 2018 Pinnacle Award Winner

Adding Value to Homes with Outdoor Improvements

Did you know that making a few outdoor improvements can add significant value to your home? However, not all improvements add value, and according to Forbes, paying for unnecessary improvements is one of the biggest and costliest mistakes a homeowner can make. Some outdoor improvements offer larger returns than others, and many of them can be done without breaking the bank.

How to Add Value to Your Home with Outdoor Improvements

Cars, Coffee, & Community

At Creekstone Outdoor Living, we love our local community and we are inviting you to stop by the 2nd Saturday of every month for Cars & Coffee! Browse our showroom while you meet some new friends and enjoy some delicious foods grilled fresh for you. This is a great opportunity to check out the newest models of outdoor grills, from Big Green Egg to the latest from Lynx.

Looking Forward to Serving You in the New Year

Creekstone Outdoor Living is your complete solution for custom outdoor design services and products. Our retail store and design center provides a one-stop-shop for all of your outdoor living needs. It has been our honor and pleasure to serve your outdoor living needs in 2018. We are excited for all 2019 will bring! From all of us at Creekstone Outdoors, we hope you have a safe and happy New Year!

14 Dec

Last Minute Christmas Gifts Ideas For Dad

Christmas is almost here and sometimes dads can be tricky to buy gifts for. Most the time, they buy whatever it is they want, making coming up with a fantastic gift a little difficult. If you are looking for some last minute gift ideas for dad, here are 5 that he is sure to love! Share on X

Last Minute Gift Ideas for Dad

Surprise dad this Christmas with something he isn’t expecting–but will certainly love. Here are five great last minute gift ideas for dad that will surely put a smile on his face:

New Grill
Grill Accessories
Fire Pit
Pool
Outdoor Kitchen

1) New Grill

Face it, dads love to grill! Even if he already has a grill, he could use another–there are multiple styles to choose from these days! If he already has a gas grill, maybe get him a popular Big Green Egg charcoal grill, or even a new pellet grill so he has different cooking options available to him.

2) Grill Accessories

If your dad has recently purchased a new grill (or already has several types), grill accessories are the perfect last minute gift idea! A grill cover or side burner are great additions for any grill!

3) Fire Pit

Another great last minute gift idea is to give dad a fire pit! A fire pit creates the perfect ambiance in the backyard and gives family and friends a new, cozy place to huddle around and make memories. It also gives dad another way and place to cook!

ProTip: A custom fire pit is the perfect last minute gift idea for dad! It adds warmth, offers an additional cooking space, and allows him to entertain and host backyard parties all year round!

4) Pool

If you’ve heard dad complain about the heat of the summertime, then a pool would be a perfect Christmas surprise! And, winter is the optimal time to get a pool installed and ready for next summer!

5) Outdoor Kitchen

If your dad loves cooking outside or entertaining, surprise him with a new outdoor kitchen! An outdoor kitchen allows him to stop running in and out of the house for ingredients or drinks because everything he needs is right where he needs it!

Last Minute Gifts Dad is Sure to Love

It can be stressful trying to figure out a last minute Christmas gift for dad, but have no fear. The above list is sure to please any dad and bring a smile to his face.

Contact us to learn more great last minute gift ideas for dad.

07 Dec

When is the Best Time to Buy a Grill?

Most people think buying a grill around Memorial Day or Labor Day, but that isn’t necessarily the best time to purchase. Most stores charge full retail prices knowing how many people plan to cook out for these holidays. When is the best time to buy a grill and get amazing deals? The answer might surprise you! Share on X

Shop Grills this Fall & Winter

If you are looking to save money when buying your next grill, make sure you buy it at the right time. Summer seems to be the pinnacle of grilling season, but it certainly isn’t the best time to buy a grill. Once summer comes to an end, stores tend to mark down their prices to boost sales during the slower times. This is the perfect time to grab the grill of your dreams at a lower cost. If you want to be sure to get the best deal for your grill, make sure to:

Do some research on what you want in your next grill (charcoal, gas, size, etc.)
Check out reviews online about the various grills
Don’t wait too long…some stores start moving in holiday stuff
Ask about floor models. Sometimes you can get a great discount for purchasing a floor model
Don’t be afraid to negotiate a better deal–especially on floor models

ProTip: If you want to save money on your next grill, wait until fall or early winter to cash in on some great grill sales!

Best Time to Buy a Grill is NOW!

Whether you want to buy a stand-alone grill for under your patio or to add to your existing outdoor kitchen, a grill can transform your outdoor living space and make entertaining even more enjoyable! If your grill is old and rusty and you’ve been using it for years, now is the perfect time to go buy yourself a new one. You might be pleasantly surprised by the many new options available. Be sure to educate yourself on the difference between pellet, gas, smokers, and charcoal grills, so you can choose the best one for your grilling needs.

Contact us to learn more reasons why the best time to buy a grill is now.

30 Nov

Creekstone Outdoor Living - 2016 Outdoor Kitchen Trends 4

Amazing Outdoor Kitchen Products to Elevate Your Design

Nothing makes entertaining more effortless than when your outdoor kitchen is stocked and fully equipped. More than just a grill, your outdoor cooking space needs to have everything you need to cook for your family or friends. The right outdoor kitchen products can make your life easier and make entertaining even more fun.

Top Outdoor Kitchen Products

If you are looking for ways of elevating your outdoor living space, these 7 outdoor kitchen products can take your outdoor kitchen to the next level! Share on X The outdoor kitchen has become an extension of a home’s living space. Make cooking and entertaining easy with these seven top outdoor kitchen products.

Barbecue Grill
Pizza Oven
Ice Maker
Side Burner
Vent Hood
Refrigerator
Storage Drawers

1) Barbecue Grill

No outdoor kitchen is complete without a barbecue grill! Choose between a gas grill, a pellet grill, or even a charcoal grill, like the Big Green Egg, and you’ll be cooking with ease and creating new memories with friends and loved ones.

2) Pizza Oven

Another great option for escalating your outdoor cooking space is to have a pizza oven! Your family will never want a frozen or take out pizza again!

3) Ice Maker

Why keep running in and out of the house to replenish your drinks with ice? An ice maker is a perfect kitchen product that will make your life easier.

4) Side Burner

Grills are great, but a side burner will make your outdoor cooking much easier! Side burners allow you to cook up things that aren’t typically made on a grill.

5) Vent Hood

Without a vent hood, all that grill smoke is just going to hang around and linger. A Blaze vent hood is a perfect way to clear the air.

6) Refrigerator

There is no sense in cooking outside if you have to constantly be running in the house to get things. A refrigerator lets you keep foods where you need them–outside where you are making the meals!

7) Storage Drawers

Just like your inside kitchen, you need places to store things. By adding storage drawers and cabinets to your outdoor kitchen, you will have the plates, napkins, utensils, and everything else you need to have a great barbecue get together.

ProTip: Tired of running in and out everytime you need something at your backyard barbecue? With outdoor kitchen products, like a refrigerator, storage doors, and an ice maker, you can stop those endless trips and make your life easier.

Kitchen Appliances to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

With the right kitchen appliances, you not only make your life easier when it comes time to entertaining or preparing food outside, but you elevate your outdoor kitchen design and boost your home value, too.

Contact us to learn more amazing outdoor kitchen products to elevate your outdoor design.

23 Nov

The Best Barbecue Joints in Houston

If you live in Houston, chances are high you love Texas barbecue. In fact, Houston has some of the top barbecue joints around the nation. Whether you live in the loop, over in Katy, or up north near The Woodlands, you are sure to find an outstanding BBQ joint to relax, chow down on some smoked brisket or pork ribs, and have an ice cold beer. Hungry for some smoked meats and barbecue? Houston has some of the best barbecue joints around and here are 7 of the best. Share on X

Hot Houston Area Barbecue Spots

If you are looking for some astonishingly good barbecue, Houston is home to a plethora of top-notch barbecue joints. Here are seven must-try barbecue locations that will have your mouth watering from the moment you step in the door and smell the meat slowly cooking.

Corkscrew BBQ
Gatlin’s BBQ
The Pit Room
The Brisket House
Tejas Chocolate Craftory
Willow’s Texas BBQ
Killen’s Barbecue

1) Corkscrew BBQ

They began catering, then moved to a small food truck off Sawdust Road, and now they are one of the number one barbecue joints in Houston. Located in Old Town Spring, owners Will and Nichole Buckman have created the perfect place to dine on delicious spare ribs, pulled pork, and a whole lot more. They even have a great yard for the kiddos to play in!

2) Gatlin’s BBQ

Gatlin’s began in 2010 and is owned by former Rice University football player, Greg Gatlin and his family. In 2015, they moved into their new 4,200 square-foot location in Oak Forest where they serve two kinds of pork ribs, three kinds of sausages, and a variety of Louisiana inspired side items.

3) The Pit Room

If you like your meat smoked low and slow, then you’ll love the Pit Room. Their menu hosts everyone’s traditional barbecue favorites, but they’ll also tempt your taste buds with their killer tacos with tortillas made from jalapeno brisket droppings, house-made jalapeno and vinegar potato chips, or their homemade chicharrones.

4) The Brisket House

This modest little restaurant set in a strip mall will surely surprise you with their big barbecue flavors. They smoke their brisket for 16 hours to make it pull-apart tender, and their peppery pork ribs are some of the city’s finest.

5) Tejas Chocolate Craftory

Don’t let the name fool you, the Tejas Chocolate Craftory crafts some of the tastiest barbecue around. They smoke their meats 12-16 hours over post oak and offer daily specials like: beef pastrami ribs or their delicious pastrami Reubens. Make sure to save room for their delicious sides, like their special carrot souffle!

6) Willow’s Texas BBQ

If you are ever in The Heights, make sure to keep your eyes open for Willow’s bright red food truck. Don’t worry–it’s kinda not hard to miss! They have some terrific menu options sure to make your mouth water, like traditional smoked turkey, pork ribs, and sausage. Grab your food to go, or enjoy the nice weather while eating at a picnic table outside.

7) Killen’s Barbecue

Killen’s takes barbecue up a few notches and has been visited by celebs such as J.J. Watt and Arnold Schwarzenegger. This upscale barbecue joint is located in Pearland, about 20 miles from downtown Houston. The Le Cordon Bleu-trained owner and chef, Ronnie Killen, brings his white-table-cloth background to his dishes. Enjoy wagyu brisket, beef ribs with crunchy black pepper bark, croissant bread pudding, and more.

Best Barbecue Joints in Houston

ProTip: If you don’t feel like going out for barbecue, find a good recipe, invite some friends over, fire up your Big Green Egg and grill up a fine meal of your own.

Needless to say, there is no shortage of delicious barbecue options in Houston. Give each of these hot spots a try and see which is your favorite!

Contact us to learn more of the best barbecue joints in Houston.

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Author Archives: Sam Hickey