Sam Hickey, Author at Creekstone Outdoors

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
Service@creekstoneoutdoors.com
http://creekstone2.wpengine.com/

22 Aug

Custom Outdoor Kitchen and Cabana - Fire Pit view by Creekstone Outdoor Living in Houston Texas

Create A Backyard Fireplace Yourself

Backyard fireplace is one of the most popular landscaping features out of them all. It’s an attractive place where you can gather with family and friends and spend a nice evening whether you have a special occasion or not. Fireplace is a guarantee of cozy atmosphere and many are willing to invest time and money to build one in their backyard. However, without a thoroughly thought plan building a fireplace would bring lots of troubles. So, before rushing into it, consider your budget, design and materials that will complement the overall design of your backyard. There are so many styles available that anyone can find a perfect option, be it a classical theme like country or a mix of several elements that create a unique look.

Stone fireplace
No one can argue with the fact that stone is the most durable material you can find. Stone fireplaces enhance any backyard style, be it a contemporary design or an old world feels style. These fireplaces will last for many generations, it’s easy to clean and maintain them and they are also weather-resistant. You can choose marble, natural stone, granite, limestone and slate that come in different colors. Granite is the easiest one to clean, but doesn’t have such variety of styles as other materials. There are also veneer stones – lighter and cheaper material, which is made of real stones but it’s easier to work with it.

Fire pits
Fire pits can be open and enclosed and differ in materials and style. If you like the campfire feel, then this is a perfect choice for you. Fire pits will bring this feeling in your backyard, or you can take them to the beach, desert or woods. And don’t forget that fire pits can do more than just heat – you can use them to cook and grill.
The most common material is copper, and there are three shapes to choose from – rectangular, round or square. Fire pits also have a sparkle screen that prevents sparks from flying away and lets fresh air in.
You can also choose cast iron models, which is as durable as copper but a bit cheaper. The most popular producer of fire pits is Sojoe, and they also offer fire pits made of steel.

Chimenea
Chimeneas look like pot belly stoves, but unlike those stoves that have been in homes for many years, chimeneas became popular just five or six years ago. The most traditional material is ceramic, but there are also iron and other chimneys that come in different shapes and sizes. Before choosing a certain style of chimney, show a professional designer your backyard so that he can customize it according to your wishes and style.

22 Aug

Custom Outdoor Kitchen and Cabana - Appliances View by Creekstone Outdoor Living in Houston Texas

Choosing a perfect outdoor grill in Houston

Grills get everyone outside, and if you’re a fan of grilling, then you probably remember those old barbecue grills with their thin legs that look like a kettle or large saucers. With some basic cooking skills, you could easily make tasty hamburgers and delicious stakes.

Nowadays, there are so many different grills to count. Some of them are small disposable units that look like microwaves; others are pretty huge and have many wheels and many functions. Traditionally, grills work on charcoal, but now you can easily find models that use propane or natural gas as fuel. However, the fact is that you can make more than burgers and steaks, many can prepare crunchy seafood and roasted vegetables.

Outdoor grilling adds functionality and fun to your home

Summer is perfect time for outdoor grilling and the idea of having one in the backyard isn’t new, but when it’s well-designed, it allows you to enjoy outdoor cooking all year long. Incorporating the grill to the outdoor setting adds value and versatility to your home.

A grill creates food with unique flavor and can make steakhouse steaks tastier than any indoor oven. Some of them can even smoke low, like a real smoker. For this reason, people turn their boring yards into fancy resorts and spend more time at home, having a grill as a place to gather with family and friends.

However, grills range in price. You can find a nice small grill that can make fine steaks for just $15, many small options go under $75, but there are also huge independent islands that have everything an indoor kitchen has, including a fridge, sink and storage and cost more than $25,000. The price may seem too high, but huge outdoor grill adds a lot of space and you should think of it just like of adding another room. There are thousands of DIY projects available online, and you can easily buy necessary components in a store, customize your grill island and face it in stone, brick or anything you like.

Choose the right type of fuel

Don’t rush into buying a grill – you have to choose the fuel first. Modern grills can run on charcoal, electricity or gas, and you have to choose the right one to avoid problems. For example, if you live in an apartment, you may not be allowed to have an electric grill on the balcony.

Creekstone Outdoors Grills in Houston, Texas

So, when you figured out what type of fuel is allowed, think about your cooking style and preferences. Some people enjoy having an open-flame and get quickly cooked steaks. If you’re one of them, a charcoal grill is a perfect choice. However, if you’re not a huge fan of cooking and prefer to spend time with guests while meat is slowly cooked, gas is a much better option. Electrical grills are preferred by those who enjoy a slow cooking process and can wait for a couple of hours for beef to be cooked and flavor it with tasty seasonings and spices. Those who can wait for an hour for their grill to heat should choose traditional charcoal, while gas can make fire instantly.

Some cooks that prefer charcoal, says that it adds a special flavor when smoke penetrates the meat and its juices fell down. However, many insist that gas grill can deliver the same flavor faster. Gas grills usually have steel bars, volcanic rock or ceramic briquettes for those juices, and steel is in favor because it’s easy to clean and maintain.

The great thing about grills is that whether fuel they use, they always come with a quite long warranty. The vast majority of brands offer a 10 year warranty, but some can offer even longer options. Before you buy a grill, make sure it stands still, nothing wobbles, it’s made of heavy materials like aluminum or metal and finished with high-quality enamel. If you’re going to grill in the rain, choose models made of stainless steel.

Models that offer two or more separate burners usually cost more, but they are definitely worth your attention since they offer easier heat control. However, always think about the location of your grill, it should have enough space and you should feel comfortable cooking there.

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Author Archives: Sam Hickey