The New Outdoor Kitchen

Deborah Krasner, author of The New Outdoor Kitchen, shares some practical tips for creating an outdoor environment that “matches our homes in quality, style, performance, and attractiveness,” in a recent article in Elle Decor.

She makes 3 wonderful points we’d like to share, as featured in Elle Decor:

Recognize a Good Area: “Consider choosing the spot that’s neglected and needs the most work: a side yard where the garbage cans are, the place the dog uses most. Areas that need a lot of attention frequently turn out to be the best location. Of course, it should also be on level ground, not too far from existing utilities, big enough for entertaining, offer privacy and a good exposure. Rather than the center of the yard, go off to one side or pick an area that’s tucked away, because if the kitchen becomes the focal point, you won’t have something to look at when you’re there.”

Audition the Area: “Use a portable grill, table, and chairs, even set up torches, and create a temporary space where you can see what it’s like to cook and eat. Note your path to the site, and mark it with powdered lime or a garden hose. See how it feels to transport things there and generally assess the site for its ease and enjoyment. Repeat until you find the best spot.”

Play the Layout: “Even the simplest kitchen needs a place to cook and set food down going on and off the grill, a place to eat and socialize, and some storage. I recommend setting up five zones: hot, cold, wet, dry, and a spot for friends. Each zone should have space on either side and storage, if possible. Even if your “sink” is just a hose, you still need some kind of counter on either side for, say, a colander to rinse off fruits and veggies and maybe soap, and a sponge for washing.The dry zone is the most important because this is where you’ll do food prep. Even if you do most of it inside, you’ll still need a place to set platters, with food and without, down. The dry zone should also have a place for friends to perch and be comfortable. You might just start with a table and an umbrella; when you can spend more, you can do something more elaborate. Bottom line: Even if you only have a grill station, have dedicated prep and serve areas—tables will do.

Want to know where to spend and where to splurge? Unlikely places to find deals on equipment? Check out the “Cooking Up a Kitchen for Al Fresco dining” on PointClickHome.com.

Outdoor Designs to Jump-Start Spring

“The Outdoor Living bug” has bit the editors of design publication Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and we’re loving the fresh-from-market outdoor products they’ve selected for their readers with a well-trained eye.

From hand-blown glass bird feeders to an inexpensive but luxurious-looking lounger from Ikea, here are a few of their favorites finds for the outdoor-minded.

Longing for more inspiration (and the start of spring)? Check out hot outdoor dining sets like the one below on  “A Dozen Designs to Jump-start Spring” on the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles blog.

Outdoor Living Trends for 2010: Back to Basics

According to a recent survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), homeowners are still spending on outdoor living, but they are forgoing many of the bells and whistles (think sport courts, showers and outdoor TVs) in favor of focusing on the basics (dining and seating areas, grills, lighting, firepits and fireplaces).

Other outdoor living elements that ranked as popular for 2010, according to ASLA:

Installed seating such as benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps and boulders (90.6 percent)

Weatherized Outdoor Furniture (77 percent)

Counter Space (73.5 percent)

Decorative elements such as ornamental pools, waterfalls, grottos (86 percent)

All projects pictured are by Outdoor Environments. Let us know how we can help you get back to basics, just in time for Spring!

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