Outdoor Furniture Plus' Blog

April showers may soon be upon us, but it’s not too early to start thinking about the sunny days ahead. Patio umbrellas are a great addition to patio furniture sets; they look nice, provide shade and are good for your health and overall well being. Find out why the best times are made in the shade. Here are some quick specs on the types of umbrella out on the market today.

In general, most umbrellas have a diameter of six to 11 feet wide when open. The smaller models are better suited to tabletops, while the larger ones can more easily cover wider areas. The standard height for umbrella poles is somewhere between seven and nine feet high, high enough to be out of head range, but also within arm’s reach for ease of opening, closing and cleaning purposes.

Poles are usually made from a weatherproof wood or lightweight aluminum, while the umbrella tops can be made from vinyl, nylon or a poly blend. These materials are not only waterproof, but they are also easy to clean and resistant to ripping from the wind, fading in the sun, and even mold and stains. It also allows for umbrellas to come in an endless array of colors, prints and patterns.

There are three main lifting mechanisms used to open umbrellas. The first is a manual open, much like what you would see on a portable umbrella. To open this type of umbrella, the user pushes the gathered spokes at the base in an upward motion, whereupon they spread out as they open and lock into place around a central point.

The pulley style is very commonly seen at pools, beaches and in use with other commercial umbrellas. The simple physics of this lift uses a rope that’s pulled to open the umbrella spokes. To keep in place, a peg is fitted into a notch on the pole, or else the rope is simply tied into place.

The most recent type of lift mechanism is the crank. The easiest and least resistant method, opening the umbrella requires the user to simply turn a crank in one direction, and the opposite direction to close. While the first two mechanisms are typical of traditional wooden umbrellas, the crank is exclusive to metal (typically aluminum) umbrella poles.

Once open, many umbrellas also feature a convenient auto tilt mechanism that allows the umbrella to be tilted at an angle, thereby providing controlled shade at more than just a straight downward position. There are three types of tilt action. In one method, the umbrella can continue to be cranked past an open position to achieve a greater angle. Another method utilizes a collar that fits over the crank and can be manually repositioned. A final method uses a simple push-button.

In the next installment, we’ll discuss the types of umbrella bases and variety of accessories to spiff up your umbrella, as well as why umbrellas are more than just something nice to look at.

You’ve most likely seen them around. They look like oversized Christmas ornaments sitting atop pedestals and displayed proudly in the yard. So what exactly is a gazing ball, and how did this weird object come to rest as a regular fixture of gardens across America?

The first recorded history of the gazing ball dates back to the 13^th century in Venice, Italy. Back then, expert artisans would hand or mouth blow these spheres of colorful glass, a tradition that continues to this day. Throughout the next few centuries, these globes became popular decorations in the gardens of upper class European homes. It was especially popular among royalty. In the 1800s, “Mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria displayed garden globes outside his Herrenchiemsee palace, a replica of Versailles.

The gazing ball also goes by a number of other names including the following: gazing globe, garden globe, witch ball, butler globe, globe of happiness, yard globe, lawn ball, mirror ball, chrome ball and Victorian globe. Globes had a functional use in southern antebellum gardens. Placed strategically by the path from the front gate to the front door, a gazing ball would alert a homeowner as to the arrival of a guest, thereby giving him or her ample time to have freshen up and have refreshments ready before the visitors even come inside. In America, globes also symbolized wealth.

In Victorian times, the gazing ball had quite another use. The “butler ball” was placed in areas where the servants could look at guests indirectly and see when they required any attention, rather than staring directly at them during a meal.

Today, globes have a more aesthetic role than anything. Placed among the flowers or bushes, a globe allows one to see the entire garden and sky in a glance. It still holds an air of elegance and mysteriousness, and the many colors offered can add a vibrant burst of color to the yard.

As the globe became a commonplace object, it also grew to acquire a kind of symbolism and mythology. To many, gazing balls were said to bring happiness, good luck and prosperity to its owners. It was also known for warding off misfortune, illness, evil spirits and witches. There are a few conflicting legends when it comes to its exact usage. According to some accounts, if a gazing ball is kept near the entrance of one’s home, any witch trying to get inside will see her reflection and not be able to tear herself away from her own image. In another story, a witch cannot stand her own reflection, and so will stay far away from gazing balls. At the same time, witches are said to not be able to sneak up on people from behind, as that person will see them approaching in the ball’s reflection. In yet another version, the ball is claimed to actually be able to attract and trap evil spirits inside.

Most globes are still made from traditional blown glass, but today there are also globes made from stainless steel, ceramic and stained glass. They are made in a variety of sizes and come with an array of creative and elegant matching pedestals.

The trick to keeping a gazing ball in good shape is to protect the seal at the neck of the ball, and never loosening or removing it. That’s because the ball’s color is actually on the inside of the glass, and if any moisture were to get inside it would cause the color to peel off. Another good tip is to take gazing balls inside during winter to prevent any chance of them cracking or freezing.

Cypress is one type of wood that has enjoyed a fascinating ride through history. In addition to other woods, such as teak, which have been used for millennia as a building material, cypress has also carved a unique niche for itself in mythology. And in recent times, it’s one of the most popular choices for patio furniture and other outdoor building projects.

Its ties to mythology originate in ancient Greek and Roman legend. In Greek mythology, the cypress tree was associated with the underworld, and held references to grief and mourning. In ancient Rome, the cypress tree was associated with funerary rites. Today, cypresses are still common fixtures in many Western and Muslim cemeteries, but their negative connotations no longer hold much weight symbolically.

The oldest cypress tree can be found in the Soma, Lombardy region of Italy and is said to date back to 40 years before the birth of Christ. In addition, it towers at 120’ in height, making it also the tallest known cypress. In a close second, a cypress tree in Monza, Italy ranks at 90’ high and is some 150 years old. In general, though, most trees grow only to about 50-60 feet tall, though all possess the defining characteristic cone-shaped branches and short stem.

The name cypress is derived from the island of Cyprus, where the tree is native. However, Cupressus sempervirens (its scientific name) can also be found in areas of the near East and Mediterranean.

What is interesting when comparing cypress to other woods such as teak and cedar is that cypress is in fact a softwood. Though initially one would assume that it makes cypress less than a suitable candidate for patio furniture, the truth is that cypress exhibits many of the same characteristics as hardwoods, and thus is often considered one by merit. Because of having to adapt to a variant climate, the lightweight wood from the cypress tree evolved to be hard and durable, with a straight and close grain containing few knots. It’s also resistant to fungus, insects and damages caused by the weather. A naturally produced oil, cypressine, helps to preserve the wood from the heartwood out to the surface, reducing the risk of cracking and warping. In addition to being durable enough for the outdoors, people tend to like cypress because it shares a similar reddish-brown coloration as another popular hardwood, cedar.

View our wide selection of Cypress Furniture.

If you live in an area out in the desert, you know the flora and weather is drastically different from tropical and temperate regions. Trying to plant a successful garden can be frustrating for any number of reasons, but the addition of an arid climate and nutrient-poor soil only magnify the difficulty. Don’t lose hope, though, intrepid green thumb. A lush oasis can be yours, even the in the middle of the desert.

Climate
A primary concern in desert areas is the weather. The Southwestern part of the United States is prone to a searing, dry heat during the daytime, with drastically cooler temperatures in the evenings. The temperature fluctuations from day to night are much more pronounced in desert areas over temperate areas. Hence, plants need to be hearty and adaptable. To that same end, deserts obviously receive much less rainfall, so water-conserving plants and succulents thrive over many other species.

Soil
The next major obstacle for desert gardeners is the soil content. Nutrient-poor, high in alkaline and salt, and often mixed with a high sand content, it’s simply a struggle getting the right mix of nutrients to your plants. Also, with sandy soil, it’s harder for plants with shallower roots to stay in place. The best way to micromanage your soil, if you will, is by controlling the environment, i.e. making your own. Planters are great for a variety of reasons. Not only can you decide what exactly goes into your soil and how much, you can control pH levels, and even how much sunlight, shade and water your plants will receive by moving your mobile gardens to wherever they are best suited. If you choose to leave your garden on the ground, make sure to invest in a fertilizer that’s chockfull of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, the main nutrients plants need to be healthy.

Pests
One of the few advantages to planting in arid regions is that there simply aren’t as much bugs or pests around to eat and destroy plants. That’s not to say that random critters won’t go in for the occasional nibble, but the use of harsh and toxic pesticides is usually not needed.

Plants
So what exactly can you plant in the desert? Some of the heartier vegetables include the following: broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes and pumpkins. All of these and more can take both the daytime heat as well as the chilly nights.

Then there are some plants that will succeed in mixed to fully sand soil conditions. These include many types of grasses, gum trees, myrtle, grevillea, banksia and much more.

Living in even the hottest parts of the world does not mean having to forego your love of fresh vegetables, beautiful flowers and the enjoyment of getting your hands dirty. With a little perseverance and know-how, you can prove that not only does life find a way, but it can in fact flourish in even the harshest environments.

Swings. They’re everywhere, from parks and playgrounds, schoolyards and more. You might even have one in your own backyard. From porch swings, to gliders and kid swings, swings are relaxing and fun. But did you also realize the health benefits of swinging? Scientific study into what was once only considered a recreational activity has unveiled some fantastic results, from therapeutic, to physical, even mood altering.

1. The Power of fresh air
Sometimes, a healthy step can mean simply get out of the house. Take a break from the TV, rest your eyes from staring at the computer, just take a fresh air break for no reason. Being out in the sunshine is a natural high, boosting one’s endorphins and leading to an elevated overall mood. At the same time, the act of swinging reduces stress, promoting a strong immune system.

2. Back pain
As one type of swing, hammocks are sometimes prescribed as part of a patient’s physical therapy from those suffering from chronic back pain.  By stretching oneself out, the hammock conforms around the body, thereby evenly distributing one’s weight over a wider surface and taking some of the strain off of muscles and joints.

3. Concentration
The motion of rocking has been shown to improve concentration by stimulating the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that controls the ability to focus. Recently, therapists have been experimenting with swings as a tool of controlling and better understanding ADD and ADHD.

4. Disabilities
Swings sometimes offer a temporary escape to children and adults who are disabled or otherwise physically impaired. Playtime and socialization is an important part of a child’s development, and when a physically impaired child is unable to play with and run around with his or her peers, it can lead to depression and problems socializing. To combat this, scientists have been looking into specially designed equipment. One innovation, the Liberty Swing, is an extra large modified swing that can accommodate an entire wheelchair.

5. Child Development

Swinging has been proven to positively affect child development in a number of ways. For one, swinging as part of an active playtime routine promotes overall health and cardio fitness. Swing sets as part of a greater jungle gym also aid in social interaction. Overall movement, spatial awareness, metal representation and sensory integration are all heightened as a result of regular turns on the swing. In young children, the rocking motion helps with learning to balance and linking different pathways in the brain for general advanced development.

6. Circulation
Swings and rockers are great tools for the elderly and pregnant woman, as the gentle swaying movement of the legs helps with circulation. In addition, it reduces the likelihood of unsightly and painful varicose veins.