6 minute read
Outdoor Spaces Reimagining Paradise
from The HOME ISSUE
by SB Magazine
PARADISE
CREATING FUNCTIONAL, IDYLLIC BACKYARD ESCAPES IDYLLIC BACKYARD ESCAPES
It’s summertime, and the living is easy. Espe-t’s summertime, and the living is easy. Especially if you enjoy the great outdoors. And with the year we have had with COVID-19 and with the year we have had with COVID-19 and the sneaux-pocalypse, everyone is seeking a cure for cabin fever. It’s nice to know the great outdoors is as close as your own backyard. outdoors is as close as your own backyard. “We got a trampoline during quarantine to promote spending more time outside,” said
Adam Brewer, whose family lives in Twelve Oaks. Adam Brewer, whose family lives in Twelve Oaks.
“And after being cooped up for a week this winter,
I was in full depression mode. If I am at home, I am I was in full depression mode. If I am at home, I am pretty much outside. I think a lot of other people feel the same way.”
The Brewers backyard oasis features a swimming pool and an outdoor living room, with a TV mounted over an outdoor fireplace. Their outdoor kitchen includes a grill, a built-in sink, a mini-refrigerator, and an island bar.
Brewer said the family has gotten great use out of the space since they built it a couple of years ago.
“We are out there literally every day,” he said. “The goal when we built the space was to invite friends and family over. We are hosting three parties out there in one day.”
BY SCOTT ANDERSON
Grassroots efforts. Brewer said his yard weathered the winter storm in February. Others were not so fortunate. Many residents have had to start from the ground up to improve their outdoor spaces this summer. Kerry Harris of Harris Custom Lawn Care said his company is backed up serving customers. Demand is high as residents rebound from quarantine and the deep freeze. “I haven’t been able to keep up,” Harris said. “We’re busy doing flower beds, hedge trimming and keeping everything groomed up.” Harris said a few customers are taking Harris said a few customers are taking advantage of the opportunity to upgrade their landscaping, but many are just trying to get back to what they had. Jody Gaynor at Louisiana Lawn and Sod said the landscaping company also has been busy lately. “So many people were inside their homes last year for the pandemic, and then the freeze happened,” she said. “I think more people want to enjoy their yards and do things close to home. The yard is a gathering place for friends and family and for entertaining.” Once the root problems are addressed, that lush landscape becomes a blank canvas for adding some fun to your private tropical hideaway.
Outdoor kitchens. The kitchen is the heart of any home. The kitchen is the heart of any home. Many homeowners are adding an al fresco flair with outdoor kitchens. According to a recent survey by the Na-door kitchens. According to a recent survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, 60 percent of home-tional Kitchen and Bath Association, 60 percent of homeowners are adding outdoor cooking spaces. co-owner of Red River Remodeling. “With people being at Jackson said most of the requests her company gets for burners, hibachi-style cooking surfaces and, on rare occasions, brick pizza ovens. “Those are not on everybody’s cially those with older homes. Jackson said. “Many have older homes without an open design concept,” she said. “I think it’s kind of a natural. If you’re going to have outdoor dining and living spaces, why not have an outdoor kitchen?” Casting shade. As Shreveport has emerged from quarantine and hibernation, residents have become reacquainted with the heat and the humidity. Sometimes, the most functional outdoor spaces are made in the shade, even if you have to create it yourself. Structures like pergolas and gazebos help beat the Louisiana heat. Jackson said her company has done traditional pergolas with cypress, cedar and even treated pine, as well as more modern designs that incorporate metals. “We do tons of pergolas,” she said. “They allow light in but also can create shade at the optimal time of day. And they tend to cost less than attaching something to the existing house.” Another option increasing in popularity is adding screens, awnings or shades to existing patios and other spaces. “This year, people are home more,” said Robert Reneau of Quality Shades and Shutters. “They are doing more work at home. We have done a lot more interior shades and outdoor screens.” Jackson thinks the COVID-19 quarantine spiked interest and demand in improving outdoor spaces this summer. “We are busier than we’ve ever been,” she said. “You’ve been stuck in your home for a year. We all want to have vacations at home, and this is a great way to do it.”
“We do a lot of outdoor kitchens,” said Angie Jackson, co-owner of Red River Remodeling. “With people being at home more, they want to take advantage of their space.” Jackson said most of the requests her company gets for outdoor kitchens include built-in grills and smokers, sinks and mini-refrigerators. Some also request crawfish burners, hibachi-style cooking surfaces and, on rare occasions, brick pizza ovens. “Those are not on everybody’s list, but we certainly have done them before,” she said. An outdoor kitchen is an appealing option for anyone, especially those with older homes. Jackson said. “Many have older homes without an open design concept,” she said. “I think it’s kind of a natural. If you’re going to have outdoor dining and living spaces, why not have an outdoor kitchen?” Casting shade. As Shreveport has emerged from quarantine and hibernation, residents have become reacquainted with the heat and the humidity. Sometimes, the most functional outdoor spaces are made in the shade, even if you have to create it yourself. Structures like pergolas and gazebos help beat the Louisiana heat. Jackson said her company has done traditional pergolas with cypress, cedar and even treated pine, as well as more modern designs that incorporate metals. “We do tons of pergolas,” she said. “They allow light in but also can create shade at the optimal time of day. And they tend to cost less than attaching something to the existing house.” Another option increasing in popularity is adding screens, awnings or shades to existing patios and other spaces. “This year, people are home more,” said Robert Reneau of Quality Shades and Shutters. “They are doing more work at home. We have done a lot more interior shades and outdoor screens.” Jackson thinks the COVID-19 quarantine spiked interest and demand in improving outdoor spaces this summer. “We are busier than we’ve ever been,” she said. “You’ve been stuck in your home for a year. We all want to have vacations at home, and this is a great way to do it.”
Commercial & Residential
LAWN & LANDSCAPE SERVICE
CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KEY!
At Harris Custom Lawn Care, we provide services for commercial and residential customers. For our residential customers, we offer weekly and bi-weekly plans at affordable rates and for our commercial clients, we offer monthly rates.
