Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

17 Nov

Why Outdoor Kitchens are Perfect for Bringing People Together

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and everyone is busy planning the perfect get together with their family and friends.
Since Thanksgiving is all about having one awesome get together at home ― we’ll be focusing on something that doesn’t derail too far from the boundaries of your home: an outdoor kitchen.
Outdoor kitchens are a perfect way to bring people together. They are usually built in your backyard or deck, which gives you enough space to invite plenty of people. Everyone can sit out, enjoy delicious turkey and have fun together.
Many people like the idea of turning their yards into an “outdoor room” which is simply perfect for Thanksgiving. In fact, 30% of the U.S. citizens who love outdoor get togethers plan to upgrade their outdoor kitchen every three years.
In this article, we share 5 reasons that make outdoor kitchens perfect for occasions such as Thanksgiving.

1. ENJOY THE WINTER SEASON OUTDOORS

Covered outdoor rooms are one of the best ways to enjoy winters without getting cold. A regular outdoor kitchen produces about 50,000 BTUs of heat, which makes your covered space more cozy and comfortable ― allowing you to enjoy the winters outdoors ― especially around Thanksgiving without worrying about getting cold. It’s also a perfect way to lower your air-conditioning costs while enjoying the perfect outdoor gathering, and have more to spend on Thanksgiving.

2. IT’S A GREAT SOURCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT

We tend to keep our indoor kitchens as compact as possible since it’s normally used to cook food for a single family, and only a handful of people can access the kitchen at any given time. However, since an outdoor kitchen is much roomier, it allows you to have more people and particularly cooks so they can prepare as much food as is required.
Since outdoor kitchens are normally set up in backyards, these places are great for letting your children play without any toys. Children are creative; they like to explore and having an open space such as this is always fun for them.

3. INVITE MORE PEOPLE

Homes are often designed according to the number of heads in a family. Your home might not have ample space to accommodate all guests, making it difficult for everyone to have fun.
This is also one of the reasons why a number of people don’t want to have get togethers at their place. Therefore, outdoor kitchens are a better choice for occasions like Thanksgiving ― you want a spacy area where more people can sit and enjoy themselves to their heart’s content.

4. IT’S MORE FUN COOKING OUTDOORS

You cannot cook with grills and smokers inside your house because it leaves behind soot which will eventually ruin the look of your indoor kitchen, and also makes it uncomfortable to breath in. This is one of the reasons why 71% of the U.S. population prefers to cook on grills and smokers outside.
Cooking this way can also be lot of fun. This is because you’re not afraid to experiment with recipes, grilling techniques ― which can be hazardous indoors, should any kind of unfortunate incident take place. According to HPBA, 54% of the US residents cook outdoors for personal enjoyment, 42% of them cook because it provides entertainment to family/friends, 23% of them experiment and make outdoor cooking a hobby and 32% prefer outdoors simply because it’s more convenient.

5. MAKE YOUR DAY MEMORABLE

Thanksgiving can be a boring day when you have nothing unique to give to your guests. However, when it comes to outdoor gatherings, everything becomes that much more joyful ― the ambiance, cozy environment, delicious food and lively conversations. Plus, as people, we tend to spend a great deal of our time outdoors because it’s more engaging and fun.
Having an outdoor kitchen is perfect to bring people together because it’s more convenient, the environment is healthier, the ambiance is unique and it adds an extra layer of aroma and flavor to everyone’s favorite food.

FINAL VERDICT

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. If you want to make it memorable, nothing is better than having an outdoor kitchen that conveniently sits on your yard or deck. It not only provides a cozy ambiance but also sparks your creativity as you look for ways to make your meals more delicious and inspiring.

07 Nov

Materials that Stand Up to Mother Nature

Everyone wants to enjoy living in an eye-catching outdoor space. Many folks with high-paying jobs are able to create brilliant outdoor spaces but, unfortunately, they find it impossible to maintain them either due to the materials not being able to withstand climatic disasters or a hefty cost for everyday wear and tear maintenance.
In this article, we discuss appropriate materials that not only enhance the life of your outdoor space but also keeps it beautiful and functional for a lifetime. We have hand-picked three options for your outdoor space in this regard:

Best Flooring Option – Concrete

If you want a durable, low-cost and low maintenance flooring for your outdoor space, we always recommend concrete. However, some people think that it’s too common and not trendy enough. Fortunately, most outdoor enthusiasts have found a way to make concrete look cool, professional and high-end: stain the concrete with color or stamps to create textures that mimic expensive bricks. This makes concrete the best low-cost, durable and maintenance-free floor for outdoor spaces.

Although concrete tends to crack and wear off if it has to bear to many footsteps on a daily basis, we doubt you would experience the same. Besides, who has people by the dozens daily walking on their outdoor space anyway? Still, if the concrete somehow breaks, it is replaceable which costs only a dime compared to other hardscape materials.

For people who really don’t want to go with concrete, we advise them to go with either natural stones or traveline tiles, which are a bit pricy but more appealing.

Best Wood Materials to Consider

To make your outdoor space stunning yet unique, you need something else than simple flooring materials. Woods are known to give that appearance to an outdoor space. Since there are plethora of wood flooring options to consider, here are the most popular wood materials, which we believe are ideal:

Pressure Treated Lumber

This wood is a great option if your patios are in contact with the ground and you have a damp environment in your outdoor space. Pressure-treated lumber is very affordable and also rigid enough to withstand high moisture environments. It is readily available but to maintain its good looks, annual maintenance is required.

Redwood

Redwood is mostly popular for its rot-resistance properties. When it’s sealed, it also becomes very durable and lasts a lot longer than any other wood materials out there. However, the reddish hue may not appeal to everyone’s tastes or may be considered too pricey by some folks since it is among the most expensive natural woods.

Cedar

This wood is also durable, long-lasting and has rot-resisting properties similar to redwood. As luck would have it, it is less expensive than redwood and many go for this wood for their outdoor spaces. However, since it weathers to a silvery gray texture, it is popular in coastal areas including places that are near inland lakes.

Composite Wood

Finally, not a natural wood but definitely worth putting in our list. Composite wood is composed of plastic and wood fiber. It provides the look and feel of wood but technically, it isn’t. Since it includes plastic as its main ingredient, maintaining it is very low-cost. It doesn’t warp, split or shrink but it can be stained and painted.

Verdict

Keep in mind that wood requires more maintenance than concrete, so if you want a maintenance-free flooring, we suggest that you opt for concrete or travertine tiles. To make your outdoor space even more pleasing, why not go for synthetic grass? It doesn’t require maintenance and offers the appearance and feel of genuine grass, minus the fragrance. If you want to know anything else about outdoor space, feel free to ask us – we will be happy to help you out.

31 Oct

Custom Patio Cover by Creekstone Outdoor Living

Outdoor Living in the Fall

When leaves start to grow old, turn red and fall apart from the stems, this only means one thing – the refreshing autumn season has arrived!

Folks rejoice during the fall season with their friends, family and relatives. In this article, we discuss 10 ways to enjoy your time outdoors in this beautiful and ever-pleasing season.

1. Go Shopping

If you are an autumn lover like me, you might enjoy shopping for ornaments and other items exclusively available in this season. Go purchase some clothes and apparels that complement your tastes in this season. Buy decorational items to beautify your home or office, making it more festive and pleasing to the eye.

2. Sleep under the Stars

Why not sleep under the stars? While it is quite enjoyable to take in a little star gazing in both summers and winters, autumn is the perfect season to do that. Be sure to cover up yourself with a blanket before going to sleep as it can get noticeably cold at night. While stargazing, you’ll notice how romantic and magical it can be to spend your time with a loved one under the stars.

3. Go Hiking

Enjoy the beauty and allure of nature by going on a hike which is the perfect way to cherish breathtaking scenery as yellow, orange and red leaves surround you. Consider taking a partner with you who is also a nature lover to make the hike more memorable. Listen intently to the sounds of crumbling leaves under your feet as you walk about – it can be very therapeutic to say the least.
To make hiking more interesting and pleasing to the senses, we recommend you go for a hike in the mountains, forests and places densely populated by trees.

4. Hit the Road

Autumn is the perfect excuse to get out and burn some calories while running down the road. Go for a trail run in the morning if you want to savour fresh oxygen or go running in the afternoon if you prefer to take in the tantalizing fragrance of autumn. If you own a bike, you can enjoy the road even more and discover great places nearby where the true colors and magnificence of the season are in full bloom.

5. Capture Awestruck Moments

I can’t help but think what a perfect season autumn is to enjoy awe-inspiring views in your locality. And you can make these views even more stunning by finding spots autumn’s majestic beauty is on full display; a great opportunity to whip out that high-end camera you just bought and take some snaps. Share these moments with your friends and family and they’ll probably get just as lost in those visuals for sure.

6. Scavenger Hunts, Anyone?

Fall scavenger hunts are a guaranteed adventure for everybody. Whether you’re out with your family or a group of friends and coworkers, a hike in the woods or even a small get together in your own backyard can be an ideal place for a scavenger hunt. Why not use the autumn leaves to hide items and make it all the more challenging for everybody? Be sure to make a list of these items so that everybody knows what they are looking for. The one with the most items is declared the winner and a true hunter!

7. Play with Fallen Leaves

Do you want to fool around and enjoy some of the happiest and most memorable moments of your life? Take your loved ones with you, grab a rake and start brainstorming creative ideas to utilize infinite fallen leaves. You can also make a big pile of leaves then jump right into it to enjoy a warm, crisp and comfy sack or maybe hide in it and enjoy some alone time to relax and reflect. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!

8. Have an Outdoor Barbeque

During this fresh and crispy season, why not enjoy your favorite, mouthwatering meals outdoors? Imagine the blazing fire of barbeque grills and your backyard covered with fallen leaves as your meal gets bathed in a beautiful yellowish-reddish hue. Having your friends and family over for an outdoor barbeque is the perfect way to enjoy autumn nights and make the season unforgettable. You can even rake fallen leaves once you’re stuffed to the hilt and relax afterwards by taking in some music or watching a movie.

9. Enjoy a Picnic

There is something magical and fun about picnics which makes them so enjoyable, yet they are so underrated. You can have a picnic in the middle of a park, the woods or mountains. Just grab some sandwiches, a bottle of wine, plastic glasses and plates, a blanket and you are good to go! Having a picnic with your partner can also be very romantic, especially if you’ve chosen a breathtaking spot where both of you can truly cherish the fruits of nature along with each other’s company.
10. Fancy a Horseback Ride?
Horseback riding is the perfect way to enjoy autumn in its purest form. It’s a great way to view breathtaking scenery while also learning the ropes (literally) of riding a horse, which can be very exciting. All you need is a little help from someone who’s ridden horses, some practice and basic riding gear to experience the adventure of a lifetime. Plus, if you ever wanted to fulfill your western movie fantasies, this is it!

Want to read more articles on the great outdoors? Subscribe to our newsletter and receive more outdoor articles like this one. Depending on the season and weather, we like to keep our readers entertained with highly informative and interesting pieces on how nature can be a man’s best friend.

24 Oct

Creekstone Outdoor Living - Inspiration Studio and Retail Store

Why Visit Your Design Studio and Retail Store in Person?

Ever since e-commerce or online shopping became a popular trend among millions of people worldwide, there are only a select few who like to purchase their stuff from physical stores. However, when we were asked, “Why homeowners should visit their design firm and purchase products for their projects in person?”, we had 8 credible reasons to answer that question. So we thought why not share those reasons with our audience?

Here are the top 8 reasons to visit your design studio and retail store before making a move on your home project:

1. You Know What You Are Buying

Shopping online can be much less of a hassle since everything is happening through the might of the internet. But can you really trust online retailers? According to this article, a lot of scammers are online too, waiting to “fool around” and loot unsuspecting individuals . You don’t want that, do you?

Buying products locally that are essential for your home project is always a good option since you are aware of what you are buying, which means you never get ripped off. In simple words, you actually know what you are buying because you can get your hands on the product before purchasing it. Most online retailers don’t upload original photos because their products are not as good as they claim them to be.

2. Negotiation Becomes Possible in Person

Have you ever tried to negotiate your way out of something online? Did it work? We are certain that it didn’t. If it did, you probably should seek a sales job because you’ve got great persuasive skills! For most people, negotiating online is useless. But once you visit a retail store or your design firm in person, you can easily lower the price down and purchase the required goods at a very affordable price.

So why is negotiation mostly effective in person? Because most online design studios or retail stores are not in contact with distributors. They purchase the products at wholesale prices and then sell them up in equal amounts that local retailers offer. But since local design firms and retail stores buy their equipment, materials and products from distributors and manufacturers, they can lower their retail prices drastically, hence, allowing you to negotiate and get some discount on their products.

3. Get to Know Them Better and Avoid Nut Jobs

There are a plethora of design studios and home equipment retailers but only a few of them really care about their customers and offer reasonably good products and services. You cannot know for sure if someone actually has what it takes to finish your project. After all, you don’t want to pay thousands of dollars only to have it botched up on a grand scale, do you?

As human beings, our instincts are honed to better judge someone in person. Visiting your design firm and retailers makes it easier for you to see if they are up for the task or not. Since most online design firms and retailers aren’t registered and don’t have a physical address – you can’t know if those online individuals are equipped with extensive experience or if they are even licensed to offer their services.

4. Discussing Matters Becomes Easier too

Neglecting to pay a visit at your design firm is always a bad move since you cannot rely on ‘phone talk’ alone. Talking on the phone can create misunderstandings which can lead to either unexpected and deeply dissatisfying results.

Once you take the time to meet with a representative from your design firm, it becomes very easy to communicate and clearly articulate project details and your expectations. The same can be said for retail stores.; if you want to avoid miscommunication, it’s better to get yourself up and moving.

5. Allows You to See Their Work in Real-Time

Everybody loves to see a house that has been designed and decorated by the design firm itself. While most home design and remodeling firms offer you to see their portfolio which includes plethora of design ideas and photos, you should visit their physical location to have a better idea of their expertise. Visiting a design studio and taking a walk with one of their representatives will allow you to see their work firsthand so you can be certain that this is the firm you want to hand over the project to.

6. The Design Studio Gets to Know Your Needs Better

If you desire to give an utterly pleasing and appealing look to your house, you need to get your design firm to physically see your house. Knowledge alone isn’t everything. Having the design studio to take a look at your home would allow them to know exactly how you have reimagined it. It becomes very hard for design firms to give your house an exemplary appearance without physically taking a glimpse of first.

7. Choose from a Variety of Products and Materials

While online shopping is convenient, you won’t find the same plethora of options as you do at your design studio’s retail outlet. When you visit a retail store, you have a variety of products that you can opt for. A much wider range of options, lets you decide what’s best for your home design project. For many people, visiting a retail store opens up their mind to new possibilities and allows them to brainstorm different design ideas once they see the rich variety of materials and equipment that can be used in their project.

8. Better and More Personalized Customer Service

Everyone wants to be treated with an appropriate level of respect and courtesy, and this especially rings true in terms of customer service, which is something that’s not attainable online. You need to visit your design studio’s retail store in person in order to experience great customer service.

The representatives will also give you genuine advice on products and materials that would be perfect for your home project. Meeting with a design firm will allow their representatives to propose plenty of design ideas which will better aid you in purchase making decisions.
Final Words
While the idea of conveniently ordering things online from the comfort of your bed or living room may seem very appealing, you might be in for some troublesome issues which can leave your home design project in bad shape.

Visiting your design firm’s retail store allows you to get to know the actual driving force behind the product and services offered, and see to it that they do the job as you expect.

17 Oct

Creekstone Outdoor Living Storefront Grand Opening

Creekstone Outdoor Living is the premier design-build construction company that has been transforming Houston backyards into outdoor paradises for years. We are pleased to announce the grand opening of our first retail storefront on October 21st from9 A.M.to 6 P.M. Come talk to reps from some of our best products lines like Lynx, Big Green Egg and Blaze. We’ll have product demonstrations and some really great giveaways! Snacks and drinks for both the kids and grownups. You don’t want to miss it!

With our new store, Houston homeowners will get the chance to find inspiration for their backyard designs and get a feel for the high-end appliances and finishes available. Chat with our professional staff about how to take a boring or rarely used backyard and make it a major part of your day-to-day living space. Whether it’s an outdoor kitchen for the home chef complete with a pizza oven, a cabana for entertaining with a fire pit or a pergola to get the most out of your patio with a custom look, we’ll exceed your expectations with excellence, honesty and an attention to detail that can’t be surpassed.

Mark your calendars, and come down and see us at our grand opening, October 21, from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M at 3555 Rayford Rd. Suite #60, Spring, TX 77386

Contact:
Rick Koshnick

Retail Manager
[email protected]
http://creekstone2.wpengine.com/

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