Life Under The Shade

Essentials To Remember When You Pick Out Patio Furniture

So you’ve decided it is time to make the most of your outdoor patio space and have started your search for the perfect patio furniture…congrats! You want to make it as comforting as inviting as possible, but you also don’t want to go overboard on accessorizing or your budget! As you are shopping for outdoor furniture, here are some important facts and questions that you should keep in mind so you can get it right the first time: Function: Consider the practical uses of an intended piece, along with your... Read more...

Flowers That Can Be Planted in December

December often brings to mind images of snow-blanketed lawns, holly berries and evergreens. Seldom does even the most avid gardener think about dragging out the rake and hoe in the midst of winter. When the ground is frozen, there are very few options for winter planting. Flowers that are in bloom or in a non-dormant stage will ultimately go into shock if their roots are exposed to the frigid and cold soil. However, if the conditions are right, gardeners can jump-start the season in time for the first blossoms of... Read more...

How to Easily Add Holiday Cheer to Your Outdoor Spaces

Don’t neglect outdoor patios and porches in your Christmas decorating. Wreaths, candles, and large glowing orbs draw guests outside to cozy up by the fire. Put Out Christmas LanternsArrange a grouping of festive lanterns at your entryway for quick-and-easy holiday style. Consider using flameless candles as a worry-free alternative to regular pillars. Don’t Forget Outdoor FurniturePull elements from your home’s decor right into the center of the action by dressing up your outdoor furniture. Have throws available to let Christmas guests know you have their comfort in mind. Set a... Read more...

Decorating Your Front Porch for the Holidays

Create a warm welcome Our favorite way to light up the season is with a brilliant array of paper luminaries. Line them along front walks, driveways, and porches for a fiery Christmas display that's so simple (and affordable) to pull off. To create your own gleaming arrangement, generously cover the bottom of white paper bags with sand, which will keep them sturdy and stationary when exposed to the elements. Arrange bags in desired positions (the luminaries lining the walk all 2 feet apart), and then insert tea lights or battery-operated... Read more...

5 Ways to Upgrade Your Patio Style

Do your outdoor living areas need a new look? Check out these decks, patios and landscaping then try the stylish updates on your own outdoor spaces. Perk Up a Patio With Pavers A great option for upgrading a typical poured-concrete patio, concrete pavers are moderately priced and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. One advantage of using pavers is that they’re easier and less expensive to repair than a concrete slab — if there’s a paver that’s stained or cracked, you can simply replace it or, depending... Read more...

Perfect Party Plants That Repel Bugs

Before you choose your greenery and blooms, consider some of the added benefits certain plants can bring – namely, repelling insects. Here are a number of plants that will keep insects at bay. And since no one minds a few butterflies hovering around the garden, we found some plants that will attract the fluttering beauties. LavenderThis beautiful purple flower (pictured) not only looks attractive, but smells just as sweet. Thankfully, it wards off mosquitoes, a nice benefit for any patio or outdoor entertaining space. CitronellaAlso known as West Indian lemongrass,... Read more...

Make Your Porch More Welcoming in 7 Easy Steps

Your front porch is the first thing guest will see, and a huge part of your street cred (aka, curb appeal), but it rarely appears at the top of cleaning to-do lists. While the inside of your home probably should take priority, it’s important to clean your porch at least once a year. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to making your porch pretty: 1. Move EverythingAnything that isn’t nailed down has gotsta go! Move everything out to the yard or into your house – you want your porch to be a... Read more...

Inventive Ways to Use Toothpicks After the Party

Toothpicks are lean, mean, household-helping machines! You can light candles, make appetizers and paint furniture with little more than a box of toothpicks. Try one of these four toothpick tricks: 1) Make Caprese Pops. This appetizer might be simple, but it’s also fresh and delicious! Before the summer party season ends, throw a dinner soiree and impress your guests with these colorful, easy-to-make caprese pops. All you need are cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, lemon zest, a little bit of olive oil, parsley and, of course, toothpicks! Compile your pop and then stick... Read more...

How to Protect Your Outdoor Furniture During All Seasons

Over time, weather – good or bad – can do serious damage to your patio furniture. A little wind, a lot of precipitation and too many direct rays can all turn your expensive patio set into a ramshackle pile-o-rust. Regardless of what type of outdoor furniture you use, it’s important to know how to properly care for it in any conditions. Wondering how to protect outdoor furniture from rain? Need advice on how to clean your outdoor cushions? And does outdoor furniture need to be covered? At Eclipse Shading Systems,... Read more...

How To Decorate Your Patio on a Budget

Dinner under the stars is one of life’s simple pleasures, and that’s why we think creating a beautiful outdoor dining space shouldn’t break the bank. With a few simple tweaks, you can transform your yard, patio or courtyard into a space fit for a feast. Plus, creating a little incentive to dine at home can save you a ton of money in the long run – the average American family spends $4,000 a year eating out at restaurants! Here are six budget-friendly patio décor suggestions: 1. Know the role. Instead... Read more...

How to Clean Your Outdoor Lights

Outdoor lights can ward off burglars, prevent falls and even add charm to your yard, but not if they’re covered with dirt. The dirtier your lights are, the less illumination they’ll provide, so clean ‘em up! Here’s how to make your lights shine bright: What You’ll Need:• screwdriver• two microfiber or soft cloths• old toothbrush• dish soap How to: Note: Outdoor lights come in all different shapes and sizes, so if you have an owner’s manual for your light fixtures, check it first for instructions on the best way to clean... Read more...

How To: Clean Up the Backyard Without Breaking Your Back

According to Reader’s Digest, over 30% of people would rather upgrade their outdoor living space than go on a weeklong vacation. So take an hour and spruce up your backyard, deck and patio. You’ll be ready for whatever spontaneous outdoor parties come your way! 1. Clean Your Plastic Lawn Chairs: To rid your plastic chairs of caked on dirt, spread foam shaving cream onto the furniture to soften the dirt. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then hose the furniture down to rinse away the dirt. 2. Clean Your... Read more...

5 Budget Friendly Ways to Entertain on Your Back Patio

Hosting a backyard soiree is a blast, but sometimes it can be a struggle to find fun entertainment ideas for your guests without spending a ton of cash. This year, throw a fun and festive bash on the cheap! Take advantage of these five low-budget ways to entertain in your backyard. 1. Throw a Popcorn PartyNo shindig would be complete without a few delicious snacks! If you’re new to backyard entertaining, try throwing a “popcorn party.” Set up different flavors of popcorn and allow guests to serve themselves, buffet style. Here are a few... Read more...

A Retractable Patio Awning Helps You Enjoy The Outdoors All Hours Of The Day

Home patios & decks are designed to extend your home to the outside, adding more space for entertaining and relaxing. Unfortunately, the sun often limits the amount of time you can enjoy your outdoor living area because it makes it too uncomfortable to sit there during certain daytime hours. Adding a retractable patio awning to your deck or patio seating area will extend those periods of time to cover almost the whole day. Patio Awnings Are Extensions Of Your Living Space A patio awning can be mounted to your roof or a... Read more...

The Benefits Provided By Motorized Retractable Awnings

The primary reason homeowners purchase a motorized retractable awning for their home is to expand their living space. The added benefit of that decision is that awnings on your home directly affect energy consumption by blocking the bright UV rays from coming in your windows. This savings can be considerable, up to 25% depending on your location and the climate conditions in your area. With such a wide variety of awnings on the market today, you will be able to customize and complement your home’s exterior look as well as... Read more...

Awnings for Decks: Ideal for Summer

Sharing the beautiful days of summer appeals to most people, and what better way than to invite your friends and family over for a get-together on your patio. Everyone loves to experience the outdoors and enjoy a meal together, especially when they know you have a beautiful seating area with a lovely awning over your deck. They can relax, knowing that they do not have to endure overexposure to the rays and direct heat of the sun. Medically Proven: UV Rays Damage Skin We all know that sun exposure can wreak havoc... Read more...

Exterior Sun Shades Protect Your Home Inside And Out

Extreme sun exposure calls for high-quality and long-lasting exterior sun shades. Today’s sun shades filter the sun and reduce its glare. They create a perfect atmosphere both inside your home and on patios and decks, even in the most extreme climates. Sun Shades Add Comfort And Save Money By covering your external windows, doors, and patio openings, you are blocking out 97% of the sun’s UV rays and direct heat from passing through the glass windows. Imagine what a savings that is to your pocketbook when you consider cooling costs.... Read more...

Fall Awning Maintenance

Fall certainly is an awkward season for awnings – what to do? With the occasional rainfall and the leaves beginning to turn (eventually followed by ice, as this winter certainly will bring), it’s definitely a pain to deal with awning maintenance. Even deciding when to use your awning could be a hassle. But with Eclipse, none of that is really an issue. With a motorized retractable awning, you can decide at a moment’s notice what you want to do with your porch, whether that be with guests or by yourself enjoying the day.... Read more...

Retractable Awnings are a Great Home Investment

Not only do Eclipse retractable awnings create a comfortable environment in and around your home, they're also a sound home investment. You're probably wondering what kind of home investment solar shades could possibly provide, but you'll see that it's more than you could ever imagine. Eclipse retractable awnings come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, like the patio and pergola shade and the motorized retractable awning. In fact, there are eight main awning styles for you to choose from as well as 200 colors to choose from, so... Read more...

What Kind of Awning Provides the Best Protection from Sun Elements

Now that you’ve decided to add an awning to your home you’re probably trying to figure out which one will fit your needs the best. You want something that’s aesthetically pleasing while still providing unparalleled protection from the elements. Well it’s good to know that Eclipse retractable awnings can stand up to more than just sunlight. There are a wide variety of solar shades to fit your needs, like the patio and pergola solar shade. You should also consider a motorized retractable awning that allows you to control the amount of sun... Read more...

How to Winterize Your Retractable Awning

As winter sets in, you’re probably busy making preparations for the cold weather ahead. You’ve put in your storm windows, cleaned your gutters and chimney, and you may have even taken the necessary steps to winterize your deck or patio. But there’s probably one important part of your home that you’ve missed. Have you winterized your retractable awning as well? Make sure you include this on your to-do list before winter weather arrives. Although Eclipse retractable awnings are designed to withstand a wide variety of weather, including extreme winds, intense heat and rain, the... Read more...

How Many People Own Retractable Awnings and Why

Awnings have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians and Syrians to shade homes and businesses. They were even used to cover sections of the historic Roman Colosseum to protect the patrons from inclement weather in ancient times. Today, awnings are still used to shade homes and business. As time has passed the popularity of awnings has continued to grow. You can even find retractable awnings being used as signs for businesses and providing shade on RVs. The number of people that own awnings of some kind grows daily, so... Read more...

Solar Screens Provide Comfort And Savings For Your Home

Do you have a room in your home that seems to be a lot hotter than the rest of your house? Do you sometimes avoid using those rooms during the warm summer months? If so, the new solar screen systems may be the answer to your problem. They are a highly functional way to make every room in your home comfortable and useable. What Is A Solar Screen? A Solar Screen is a shading system that is mounted on the exterior of your home. Inside shades and blinds will help... Read more...

How to Protect Your Home from the Heat in the Summer

After the cold days of winter and the wet weather of spring, it’s great to be able to go outside and enjoy hot summer days and warm summer nights. Except for one little problem; summer is a bit too hot, especially when it comes to your home. The sun glares through your windows raising indoor temperatures, and warm air blows in making the inside of your house stifling and almost unlivable. Going outside and wishing for a cool breeze to blow by is basically your only other option if you’re... Read more...

What Kind of Retractable Awning Provides the Best Protection from the Elements

Now that you’ve decided to add an awning to your home you’re probably trying to figure out which one will fit your needs the best. You want something that’s aesthetically pleasing while still providing unparalleled protection from the elements. Well it’s good to know that Eclipse retractable awnings can stand up to more than just sunlight. There are a wide variety of solar shades to fit your needs, like the patio and pergola solar shade. You should also consider a motorized retractable awning that allows you to control the amount of sun... Read more...

The Many Benefits Of Retractable Awnings

If you look around your neighborhood, you will notice that retractable awnings have have become a popular addtion to many homes Your friends and neighbors are aware that these awnings offer so many attractive benefits and are well worth the time and initial investment. They pay for themselves many times over the years that you spend in your home. Awnings Protect And Serve The Homeowner Awnings protect your home and family from the harmful UV rays of the sun. You have the option to use them on the brightest & and high... Read more...

A Funny Thing Happened Under My Retractable Awning!

I always expected that my family and I would have some great times outside once we got our awning, and there were always specific scenes that would play in my mind.... Read more...

Keep your Cool with Solar Shades

I know how cool I look when I put on an awesome pair of shades, so why shouldn’t my home look just as cool? Before I go on please stop imagining... Read more...

Summer Memories Under the Retractable Awning

There’s nothing better than spending a lazy summer day under your very own Eclipse motorized retractable awning. The harsh sun fades to a muted glow and the warm breeze actually feels cooler. Now that winter is on its way, I love remembering all the good times I had, and thankfully there are plenty of them to get me through the cold days ahead. One of my favorite memories from this summer is our annual family barbecue. Don’t get me wrong, we grill all the time, and we’ve had plenty of... Read more...

Fight Rising Energy Costs – Spend More Time under Your Eclipse Awning

You have always been a big fan of spending hot summer days in the shade, so you’ve wandered off into the wooded area behind your house, gone to the park, or taken a drive to the lake. This year, you are going to stay at home because you have your own shaded backyard oasis with Eclipse Shading Systems® retractable awnings and accessories from Bowden’s Fireside Hearth & Home. You went to Bowden’s Fireside Hearth & Home and their expert consultants explained the multiple benefits of installing Eclipse shading on your home. Bowden’s... Read more...