Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

20 Apr

How to Host an Epic Summer Cookout

Texas summers start early, so there is no better time to start planning your epic summer cookout than now! Whether you are cooking for close family or entertaining a big crowd, planning ahead is the surefire way to make sure your outdoor entertaining goes flawlessly. Share on X

Plan Ahead

A little planning can go a long way when it comes to preparing your summer cookout. Getting together a game-plan ahead of time can save you time and frustration. Here are some simple things to consider to make sure you are completely prepared for your epic summer cookout!

Prepare Your Outdoor Space

The first step for your summer cookout is to clean up your outdoor space. Mow the lawn, clean or update patio furniture, rake leaves, and pick up debris and toys. And, even though you are not entertaining inside, it is also a good idea to pick up inside entryway, kitchen, and bathroom, just in case.

Stock the Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens make outside entertaining easy, especially when you have it stocked and ready for cooking! Make sure all your needed utensils, sauces, spices and other things are all ready for your special summer cookout. It is also a good idea to have your grill and ovens cleaned and ready for cooking.

Provide Plenty of Entertainment

Keep your guests entertained! Yard games for kids and adults, a television in the outdoor living room, or a pool are just a few examples of ways to keep your friends and family having a fun time. Make sure to play some music that fits with your party. If you are firing up the grill to barbeque with potato salad and grilled vegetables on the side, you might want some upbeat country music playing. Or if you’re firing up the pizza oven, maybe play some classic Italian tunes to get people in the mood.

Ample Seating

When entertaining outside, don’t forget the seating! People need to be able to relax and enjoy their dinner, or while chatting over a glass of wine while the kids splash around the pool. Make sure to have plenty of seating, and get creative with your outdoor decor. A themed party makes outdoor entertaining even more exciting. If a Hawaiian luau is your theme, spruce up plain folding chairs and tables with fake grass hula skirts! Set up a bowling game using coconuts as bowling balls. There’s no limit to the creative ideas you can bring to life. At night take the party to your custom fire pit, where guests can gather around a glowing fire and talk, dance or laugh the night away.

Plan Your Menu

When thinking about your menu, consider everyone who will be attending. Does anyone have special dietary restrictions? Are there any allergies? Plan ahead by asking your guests and planning your menu around them–making sure that everyone will enjoy what is being served. Another idea is to have guests bring a side item or dessert while you, the host, provides the main course.

Open Bar

Like your food menu, make sure you have plenty of beverages for your guests, too. Sodas, beer, wine, lemonade, or iced tea, are all good to have available.If you plan to make cocktails and other mixed drinks, don’t forget your ice and mixers!

Summer Cookout Fun

Summer is for getting together with loved ones and friends and what better way to entertain than with an epic summer cookout? By following the above suggestions when planning your party and get together, you are certain to have a blast, enjoying good food and each other’s company.

To learn more about how to plan and set up your outdoor living space for the most epic summer cookout yet, Contact Us.

13 Apr

Custom Home Addition Ideas To Enhance Your Backyard

With the beautiful spring weather upon us, many of us are spending more time outside. Creating a stylish and relaxing space in the backyard provides an oasis for family and friends and can also increase the appeal of your home. By upgrading or adding an outdoor structure, you can instantly update your backyard, adding not only aesthetic value to your home, but also boosting home value. Share on X

Extend Your Living Space

Outdoor living spaces and rooms are rising in popularity. Your outdoor space and backyard should be an extension of your living area. Create the perfect getaway with these custom home addition ideas:

Pool House

What better way to elevate your backyard then to renovate your pool area? A pool house adds elegance, storage, and privacy. A custom built pool house can fit all your needs and include bathrooms, a changing area, or lounge area to take a break from the sun. A pool house is versatile and the perfect place to store pool equipment and opens up endless possibilities.

Patio Extension

Transforming your patio is another way to boost your backyard. A covered patio adds beauty and value to your home and offers the perfect place to unwind after a long day. A patio room addition also offers shade and space for entertaining and having family get togethers. With a custom patio, you have plenty of space for an outdoor dining set or patio furniture. With a patio extension, you are able to enjoy the open air, while having the comfort of a roof to protect you from the sun or rain.

Pergolas and Arbors

Pergolas and arbors are the perfect way to add shade and character to your backyard. A pergola is a terrific way to enhance your outdoor living space and upgrade the entire feel of your space. Climbing plants love to grow up the vertical beams, helping create privacy, shade, and beauty. Pergolas can be custom built to fit perfectly into your yard and come in a variety of high-quality materials like insect and rot-resistant woods, or rust proof iron.

Outdoor Kitchen

Impress your guests and boost your home value with a custom built outdoor kitchen. An outdoor kitchen can be priceless if you do a lot of outdoor entertaining or grilling. Outdoor kitchens can be custom designed to include a grill island, a pizza oven, stainless steel appliances, or anything else your heart desires. The options are never-ending and the memories made in them will last a lifetime.

Sunroom

Sunrooms are the perfect way to boost your backyard with a custom home addition. A sunroom is fully enclosed and makes a perfect additional living room or seating space. Sunrooms allow you to enjoy the outside while keeping the insects out of your lemonade or the wind from blowing your papers off the table. Custom built sunrooms add another space you can relax and enjoy, while also adding value to your home.

Custom Home Additions

When considering home remodeling and additions, don’t forget about your outdoor space. Updating and boosting your backyard brings enjoyment to your entire family and gives you a splendid place for entertaining or relaxing. Adding on a custom built addition offers a solution to transform your outdoor space into a fabulous oasis.

To learn more about how custom home additions can boost your backyard and home values, Contact Us.

06 Apr

5 Clever Outdoor Storage Ideas to Hide Your Stuff in Style

Keeping organized means getting creative with storage. Not only does this pertain to inside our homes, but outdoor storage and organization are equally important, also. Between pool equipment, firewood, garden tools, and all the rest of the stuff we end up collecting each year, people are always looking for clever ways to store and hide stuff. Learn how to incorporate beautiful design elements that double as sneaky storage solutions! Share on X

Getting Clever With Outdoor Storage

If you have a lot of stuff in your home, you probably also have a lot outside, too. Here are five clever ways to hide all your outside goods, keeping them organized and out of view:

Poolhouse

We are coming up on swimming season and what better way to store all those pool supplies, floats, and pool gear than in a pool house? Pool houses offer the perfect outdoor storage solution with shelves, cabinets, and functional furnishings. A pool house also allows a place of privacy for people to change into their swimsuits or dry off before coming into the house. Pool houses add tremendous value, both monetarily and aesthetic.

Cabinetry

Outdoor kitchen storage is essential at keeping your outdoor kitchen supplies organized and clean. By getting cabinets built on to your outdoor kitchen, you are sure to have room for everything. Outdoor kitchen storage is perfect for cutting down trips inside the house. Everything you need will be outside in your custom built kitchen cabinetry–right where you need it!

Hidden Storage

Hidden storage chests and storage built into your custom built cabana is another perfect way to hide your outdoor stuff. Towels, outdoor furniture pillows and pads, and anything else you need stored remains hidden until you are ready to use them.

Firewood Cubby

Firewood can be a hassle to deal with and keep organized. Logs tumbling over or not staying where they’re supposed to be can cause a headache and look messy. A Firewood cubby is an ideal way to keep those logs in line. Patios with built-in shelving make the perfect firewood cubby and easily accessible.

Outdoor Bar

If you entertain regularly, an outdoor bar is the perfect outdoor storage idea for all your glasses, ice, and liquors. Outdoor bars can come with shelving, refrigerators, and cabinets, making it the perfect addition to your backyard.

Top Outdoor Storage Ideas

Although outdoor storage can seem like an issue, it doesn’t have to be. Between outdoor kitchen cabinetry, a pool house, and an outdoor bar, you will gain more space than ever to hide all that equipment and other things you store, but want to keep from view.

To learn more about how you can create an outdoor storage oasis in your yard, Contact Us.

30 Mar

Beautiful Patio Designs for Every Style

More and more people are going outside and using their outdoor living spaces for entertaining, relaxing, and just living. People are bringing the inside outdoors, with outdoor kitchens, televisions, and even couches to lounge on. The outside should feel just as comfortable as your inside living space, and there are numerous popular patio designs to help you create the perfect outdoor living space. Share on X

Find Your Patio Style

No matter if you are using your patio for upbeat social gatherings, relaxation time with the family, or a little meditative time alone, you can create the ideal mood and ambiance for your patio with one of these innovative patio designs.

Old World

The Old World style never goes out of fashion. With Flagstone paths, an outdoor fireplace and vintage style outdoor kitchen, you might find yourself enjoying time outside more than ever. Cast iron lighting and rustic, old world chairs finish off the look and add a classical touch.

Alfresco

Who doesn’t love dining alfresco? Outdoor dining can be done year-round when you incorporate a pergola or cabana into your patio design. Outdoor dining areas create seamless transitions between the inside and outdoors and makes entertaining effortless. These charming areas also improve the aesthetic and financial value of your home.

Tuscan

The Tuscan patio style usually boasts warm colors, natural stones, terracotta flower pots and urns and bold flowers such as lavender, rosemary and grape vines. These plants help bring the sensory experience to your patio space. The Tuscan patio style is about enjoying life, food, people, and nature, and relaxing with friends and families members.

Secret Garden

Secret gardens are more and more popular these days and provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. These hidden gardens not only feel private but also have a certain magical charm to them. Shade trees, evergreen hedges, creeping vines, and loose naturalistic plantings create a woodsy retreat and an inviting destination.

Zen

Looking for peace and tranquility after a hard day of work? A Zen patio design might be right for you. Simplicity is the way to go when looking for seating and furniture. Green plants are also a must, and add the perfect touch of nature. Bonsai trees and other green plants fit well in pots and help create balance. The addition of an outside fire pit and water fountain help bring all the elements of nature to your patio space.

Modern Wonder

No matter what the size, a modern and eclectic patio is the foolproof place to entertain. Add outdoor lighting, modern-styled seating and tables, and use bright colors to add character. Clean lines and modular forms are key to attaining the modern wonder look, and an outdoor fireplace is a must. Many modern patios boast a geometric pool and potted plants for added greenery.

Choose Your Patio Design

Whether you like to entertain, relax with the family, or spend time outside cooking and enjoying life, there are plenty of ways to create the ideal escape with one of these beautiful patio designs. Using the current style of your home as a guide, you can build a stunning outdoor space to enjoy for years to come.

To learn more about creating the perfect outdoor living space in your own backyard, Contact Us.

23 Mar

5 Outdoor Living Trends to Maximize Your Yard

With the beautiful springtime moving in, more and more people are getting outside. Whether for work or play, maximizing your yard for functional use is one of the top outdoor living trends for 2018. In fact, Architect Magazine has found that outdoor living spaces have become the most popular “special function rooms” for the past six years. So how can you make your outdoor living space more comfortable, stylish, and functional? Here are some simple ways to maximize your yard.

Bring the Indoors Outside

Your yard should be an extension of your home and everything you have inside, can be used outside, too! More and more people are adding outdoor kitchens, televisions, and lounging areas to their patios and yards. Hang solar lamps, add colorful cushions, and activities like card games, chess and other things to do while enjoying time outside.

1) Smooth Transition

A smooth transition from inside to outdoors helps eliminates steps and obstacles and makes the outdoors inviting for guests and family members. Continue the inside color palette outside, or play around with new patterns and colors with decorative rugs and pillows. Think about adding a custom patio cover to expand your livable space regardless of the weather. Let your outside space offer the same comforts as your inside space does.

2) Edible Gardens

Planting edible gardens is a top trend for 2018 and a perfect way to maximize your yard space. You don’t have to have a huge area to start growing your own foods, either. Many people create container gardens or build a simple window box or a raised bed to grow herbs, greens, and other edibles. Gardening for the table can become a family project and it is fun to eat the foods you grow!

3) Create Zones

Regardless of your yard size, work at creating different and unique zones to create depth and personality. Have a barbeque area with a grill and relaxed seating in one area and perhaps in a shady spot, add a bench or seating for reading with a water fountain and windchimes. Make sure to have space for entertaining, or an area for the kids to play, if you have any. Creating zones is sure to help you enjoy your outdoor area more often and throughout the entire year.

4) Comfortable and Practical Seating

Without comfortable and practical seating, no one will want to spend time outdoors. It is hard to relax when you only have a hard, wooden seat to sit in, or a moldy pool chair that is six years old. More and more companies are making quality outdoor furniture these days that will withstand the weather and last longer. If you have a roofed patio, the addition of a couch and coffee table makes your outside space just as warm and welcoming as inside.

5) Outdoor Kitchen

With all the time spent relaxing and entertaining outside, an outdoor kitchen is a must! Not only does it add convenience to your life, but it also helps keep the house cool in the summer months, but it keeps the smells outside, too. An outdoor kitchen also makes a great place to entertain without being too crowded, or having to make constant back-and-forth trips inside the house to get items. Most outdoor kitchens have a grill, refrigerator, storage and other items necessary for seamless entertaining and cooking.

Outdoor Living Trends to Maximize

Not only does bringing the inside outdoors create a relaxing environment for your family and friends, but it also adds usable living space and boosts home values for future sales. With outdoor living trends like comfortable seating, an edible garden, and new zones to explore–you might find yourself more outside than ever!

To learn how you can bring maximize your yard with these top trends, Contact Us.

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Author Archives: Sam Hickey