Blog
August 13th, 2010
NBC is filming another episode of School Pride here in Southern California, and they have invited Pacific Outdoor Living to come back out to the job site for another construction job! The last project we did with them in Culver City was a great experience and we're so glad to be back. This time its Needles High School that is getting the makeover. We are doing some major work out there in Needles and the heat is INTENSE, with a high of 113 degrees today! But we will keep on going to meet the deadline in time for the grand unveiling with the students. We will get some photos of the progress and the finished job soon.
Tags: construction, Construction Job, Culver City, design, Finished Job, High, landscape, Makeover, NBC, Needles High School, Pacific Pride, pavingstone, photos, project, School Pride, Southern California, Unveiling, water feature
Posted in NBC "School Pride" Series | No Comments »
August 11th, 2010
The addition of paving stones to any outdoor living landscape can drastically change the appearance of your backyard space. It can add on to or complement so many types of styles that you may be trying to match. Whether your style is tranquil and relaxing or energized and dynamic, paving stones can help create the ambience that suits your lifestyle. Whether your plans include a cozy courtyard or an expansive patio or terrace with all the amenities, it's a world filled with possibilities. Enjoy the slideshow below of some beautiful paving stone projects, and contact us if you are looking to start a project of your own or need some more design ideas.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Tags: ambience, Amenities, Appearance, Beautiful, construction, Courtyard, design, Design Ideas, landscape, Lifestyle, Nbsp, Paving Stone, Paving Stones, pavingstone, Possibilities, slideshow, space, stone, Stone Projects, turf, water feature
Posted in Pacific Paving Stones | 2 Comments »
August 10th, 2010
The fall season is right around the corner, and while many homeowners may ignore this time as a gardening season, this is actually a very important season to prepare your lawn because everything that you are doing will impact how well your yard will look next spring. The most important thing that homeowners should be doing in the fall is fertilizing their law. Many people tend to skip doing this step, or even think that it is not necessary at all, but that is in fact the most important time to do it as it can make your lawn stronger than ever come spring time.
Continue to mow your lawn on a weekly basis. You should continue to do this until the grass stops growing, and remember to keep the lawnmower at about two inches high. And while watering your lawn may seen unnecessary, continue to do so as it will still need about 1 inch of water a week to keep it strong and healthy throughout the fall.
Tags: design, Fall Lawn Care, grass, green, landscape, lawn, lawncare, Lawnmower, pavingstone, products, Spring Time, turf, water feature, yard care
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
August 9th, 2010
Landscaping your home can be a big challenge, and sometimes certain ideas might sound great at first, but then turn into a complete eyesore and mistake. Here are a couple "Don'ts" that we have come across in the last years.
Ivy can be a beautiful addition to your landscape plan, but keep in mind that once it begins to climb the house it can begin to take over. Ivy does need annual pruning, and if it isn't done you can end up with what you can see in the picture here. Once established, they can cover windows, gutters and beyond. They can also serve as bridges for pests and allow them into the house especially termites. Letting a clinging vine attach directly to the walls of your house usually isn't a good idea, unless the house is made of brick, stone, or aluminum siding.
Some homeowners don't always know the size that their plants will grow into in the future, but don't let your landscaping overwhelm your house and slowly take over more than just the yard. Take the time to get an actual landscape design and plan done, and choose different varieties of trees and shrubs that are bred to grow to a particular size. The other great benefit is that you won't have to spend more of your time pruning frequently— or fighting your way out the front door.
We are all so used to seeing lawns in the front yard of every house, that it has somehow become "unnatural" to not have turf. But don't let a big lawn suck all of your resources and space. A nice stand of lush grass is a time, water and nutrient glutton that could become a major monthly cost. Reduce the size of your lawn with landscape beds that feature attractive, low-maintenance perennials, shrubs and trees. Your monthly bills will be lower and your wallet will thank you for it too.
Tags: Aluminum Siding, Brick Stone, Clinging Vine, design, Front Yard, Glutton, grass, green, Gutters, landscape, Landscape Beds, landscape design, Landscape Plan, Landscaping Your Home, lawn, Lawns, Low Maintenance, Lush Grass, Pests, pond, products, Shrubs And Trees, Termites, time, Time Water, Trees And Shrubs, turf, Varieties Of Trees, Wallet, water feature
Posted in Landscaping Specialists | 1 Comment »
August 5th, 2010
Are you considering updating your yard? Take a look at what is currently trending with our customers and one of these designs might be something that you may want to get done for your home.
Many homeowners are opting to go with a landscape plan that is more self-sustaining. Yards like the one shown here are using drought-tolerant plants and less turf grass both for economic and environmental reasons. Other than being chosen solely on their unthirsty nature, these plants are also well known for their color, flowers and fruit that attract birds and butterflies.
Another popular request by our customers has to be incorporating a blend of edibles and ornamentals in their landscape plan, giving gardeners a bountiful harvest of fruit, vegetables and herbs and better yet, it's a great alternative to turfgrass. We also suggest that different types of herbs and vegetables that grow in different seasons are planted. That way you can be harvesting from your garden all year round. Edible gardens also create community as urban farmers share their bounty around the neighborhood.
We love the sound of water in the garden and we also know that many of you do too. That's why water features are in so much demand right now. The best part about adding a water feature, is that you can go from inexpensive self-contained systems in an urn or portable fountain, all the way to a high-end waterfall or pond. This makes this a popular choice across all budgets.
With the beautiful California weather, how would you not like to have an entire room dedicated to relaxing in the Southern California sun? Thanks to new outdoor fabrics, which are made from acrylic fibers and are fade-resistant and waterproof, homeowners can create permanent living spaces outdoors with comfortable fabrics and furniture. In addition to weather resistant furniture, fireplaces and built in kitchens complete the experience of taking the indoors outside.
Tags: Acrylic Fibers, Birds And Butterflies, Bountiful Harvest, California Weather, Color Flowers, construction, Contained Systems, design, Different Seasons, Drought Tolerant Plants, Edible Gardens, Entire Room, Environmental Reasons, Flowers And Fruit, Fruit Vegetables, garden, grass, green, landscape, Landscape Plan, lawn, Outdoor Fabrics, pavingstone, Sound Of Water, Southern California Sun, turf, Turf Grass, Urban Farmers, water feature, Water In The Garden
Posted in Landscaping Specialists | 5 Comments »
July 28th, 2010
While some home owners need to battle the sun and having their garden burnt up by constant daylight, some others have too much shade to deal with, which won't allow their plants to properly grow.
Astilbe – This low-maintenance perennial is a must have for any shady garden that can supply moist, rich, and well-drained soil. When mid-spring comes around this perennial will blossom graceful and feathery plumes in pink, red or white. These plants are a great way to complement a space that is covered in light green fern-like foliage. When planting, they should be placed in large groups for maximum impact in the garden.
Hellebore – Nodding flowers that come in a wide assortment of colors including rich hues of cream, white, pink, maroon, rose and green. They bloom sometime around early winter and will stick around until early spring, depending on the variety. The dark-green evergreen foliage remains attractive all year. Give this plant moist, rich, well-drained soil in dappled light to full shade. Best site: plant them on a shady slope where their flowers can best be appreciated from below.
Bleeding Heart – Regardless of the eerie name, it's hard not to love a plant with rows of miniature dangling "hearts". This perennial will flower in spring time and needs virtually no maintenance for the rest of the year. The ferny foliage that it produces is beautiful but unfortunately it is short-lived.Place the bleeding heart where its yellowing foliage in midsummer won't be a design buster. Moist, well-drained, rich soil in shade is a must; placing it in a wind-free area is good too.
Hosta – This long-lived perennial is one of the best choice plants for an area that is covered in shade. The Hoista is valued for its seemingly endless variations of green, blue, cream and white foliage. But that is not all, this perennial also produces a tall lavender or white flower spikes during the midsummer. It is definitely a plant that continues to give some type of beauty all year long and not just during one season.
If you would like to know more on these perennials or see what kind of design can be done for your home, we suggest giving us a call at 888-600-7224 and setting up an appointment with a landscape designer. They will be able to let you know what flowers will prosper in your specific space and also help you to completely redesign you entire yard.
Tags: Assortment, Best Choice, Bleeding Heart, Dappled Light, design, Early Spring, Early Winter, Endless Variations, Evergreen Foliage, Flower Spikes, foliage, Heart, landscape, Large Groups, Lavender, Low Maintenance, maximum, Maximum Impact, Mid Spring, pavingstone, perennials, plumes, pond, Rich Hues, Rich Soil, Shady Garden, Spring Time, turf, water feature, White Flower
Posted in Flowers | 14 Comments »
July 27th, 2010
The Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center is the perfect place to find unique items and gifts for the home. They carry many one of a kind creations that you will not find anywhere else at other home furnishing stores. We made a list of some of the most popular items from the Design Center, and if you continue reading you will also be able to print out some coupons to save some money on your next purchase.
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The first two pieces that we will show come from a design studio up in Santa Cruz called 5 Feet From The Moon. Designer Dominic Boinich has created these succulent tables which are made of a metal frame and concrete top. What sets these pieces apart is the holes and cracks that go down the center of the pieces which allow for planting succulents. This will make for a very unique outdoor coffee table or end table. A hanging wall version is also available with candle holder.
Another designer from 5 Feet From The Moon named Katrina King has created very interesting wall pieces that experiments with the color that comes naturally from metal. Most of Katrina's art pieces are made of recycled or left over materials from other projects. With the use of natural colors that come directly from the metals, it was good to see that She kept that connection as each piece is nature inspired. The vivid colors and beautiful designs that are used, will instantly make this the main focal point to any space that you decide to place this in.
A self sustaining water garden is also a very popular choice amongst many home owners. It mixes having a unique garden, and also being able to enjoy the look and sounds of a fountain. These are not your typical potted plants that are found in most common gardens, this garden is equipped to handle aquatic plants that only flourish in a pond like atmosphere. Another great feature about this self sustaining water garden is that it is also great for small spaces that cannot fit larger fountains, or a full on pond. Packages are available at the Design Center that will help you get going at a cheaper price.
Now that we have mentioned aquatic plants, we need to mention that it is currently lily season and they are in full bloom at the design center. A wide assortment of colors are available such as purple, yellow, pink, and red. These are a great addition to any pond or water garden especially for their bright and vibrant colors. The Design Center are also offering a great deal for any pond enthusiast to be able to get themselves some lilies and koi. Right now you can purchase lilies and koi with a buy one get one free coupon, see below for further details.
Pacific Outdoor Living would like to give you a couple money saving coupons that you can use towards your next purchase at the Design Center. All you have to do is print out the coupons below and take them into the store during your next visit. Right now you can save 25% towards the purchase of pottery, or buy one lily or koi fish and get another half off!
Tags: Aquatic Plants, Art Pieces, Beautiful Designs, Candle Holder, Coffee Table, design center, fountains, gifts, Gifts For The Home, grass, Hanging Wall, Home Furnishing Stores, Hot Items, Kind Creations, landscape, Many Home Owners, Metal Frame, Natural Colors, pacific design center, pavingstone, Popular Items, Potted Plants, products, Small Spaces, turf, Unique Garden, Vivid Colors, Wall Pieces, water feature, Water Garden
Posted in Pacific Outdoor Living Design Center | 7 Comments »
July 21st, 2010
With the sun coming down strong on Southern California, its good to know what kind of flowers would thrive in 6 hours of direct sunlight. After all no one would want to walk out to their yard to find that their flowers have been scorched by the intense Southern California sun.
Day Lily – These perennials require nothing special in the way of soil and a minimum of maintenance. The blooms are available in a multitude of colors, and produces several blooms on each stalk. Most varieties flower for a three-week period; combine early-, mid- and late-season varieties to have color from early summer to fall.
Shasta Daisy – Its large, cheery flowers and trouble free foliage make Shasta daisy a natural addition to a sunny garden. This clump-forming, perennial blooms from early summer to fall on 2-1/2-foot-tall stems. Provide support to keep the taller types from falling over. Tolerates a wide range of soils; provide consistent moisture.
Salvia – Hundreds of species of salvia exist, and they all share the common characteristic of vertical spikes of vibrant flowers and gray-green leaves. A favorite of hummingbirds, the tubular blooms can be found in hues of blue, red, pink or violet. The variety dictates the time of bloom, and the color. Most types can withstand periods of moderate drought.
Purple Cone Flower – A very dependable and drought-tolerant perennial, purple cone flower (Echinacea purpurea) blooms atop 2- to 3-foot stems in mid to late summer. The protruding flower centers are butterfly magnets. Cultivars come in a striking array of colors, including orange, yellow, raspberry and white.
These are only a fraction of the types of flowers that are available for spaces with constant sunshine. If you would like to know more on these perennials or see what kind of design can be done for your home, we suggest giving us a call at 888-600-7224 and setting up an appointment with a landscape designer. They will be able to let you know what flowers will prosper in your specific space and also help you to completely redesign you entire yard.
Tags: Clump, Day Lily, design, Echinacea, flowers, fountains, Free Foliage, green, Green Leaves, Hues, Hummingbirds, landscape, Landscape Designer, lawn, Natural Addition, pavingstone, Perennial Blooms, perennials, planting, Purple Cone Flower, Raspberry, Shasta Daisy, Southern California Sun, Stalk, Striking Array, Sunny Garden, turf, Types Of Flowers, Vibrant Flowers
Posted in Flowers | 1 Comment »
July 16th, 2010
Summer time is here, and if you have been outside lately then you know that the heat is here to stay for a while too. Wouldn't you love to be able to go outside and jump into a nice refreshing pool to beat the heat? Make that dream come true this year and we can help you do it! Pacific Outdoor Living has fully trained, experienced, and qualified designers and builders to help get your project in the ground and swimming in no time.
Our reputation of high quality installation that follow us in all of our projects is no different when it comes to pools and spas. While many other may try to beat us by being the cheapest choice, our customers know that quality and trust in a contractor is far more important when it comes to a project of this magnitude. The job is done right the first time, and we proudly stand by our work.
Some may think that this is just something that is just too far out of their grasp financially. We are also here to help you with that situation as well. Here at Pacific Outdoor Living, we can help with the funding situation by offering zero percent financing for one whole entire year on approved credit. Just imagine, you can already be enjoying your pool and not have to worry about paying any interest for the rest of the year. Give us a call at 818-244-4000 and we can schedule a time for one of our trained professionals to come to your home for a free consultation.
Tags: construction, design, Designers, Free Consultation, Grasp, grass, High Quality, job, landscape, lawn, Magnitude, pavingstone, pool decks, pools, Pools And Spas, Pools Spas, products, Quality Installation, Refreshing Pool, Reputation, spas, Summer Time, water feature, Zero Percent Financing
Posted in Pools and Spas | 1 Comment »
July 14th, 2010
Pacific Outdoor Furniture is creating classic and traditional style furniture that also blends in the portability and functionality needed for frequent use. The handcrafted dining and picnic tables are designed to allow for easy storage with its easy folding capabilities. Each table and bench have the ability to fold down to 6 inch widths, with little effort. The unique design also includes umbrella holes, wine holders, and foot rests on every table piece which is great for frequent use in the backyard or for a day at the park.
Each style of furniture come in a wide selection of sizes and different finishes are available. Choose a Tung Oil based high gloss marine finish or a Rosewood Oil based satin finish. Natural oils penetrate deep into the wood and will preserve and protect your furniture for many, many years to come. Customization of your furniture is completely possible, as you can choose the height, width, length, and the placement of wine and umbrella holders. Each table and bench set also comes its own storage stand.
To keep our products environmentally friendly, we only use solid California Redwood obtained from sustainable growth forests. Most of our products are also available in new or reclaimed Douglas Fir.
Ordering your own set is as simple as heading over to PacificOutdoorFurniture.com and selecting which combination you would like to be sent to you. If you would like to customize your furniture, you can also call us at (818) 767-0939 and on of our reps will be able to guide you through the entire process.
Tags: 0939, Bench, Blends, California, California Redwood, Customization, douglas fir, Growth Forests, Holes, Natural Oils, outdoor furniture, pacific outdoor furniture, patio furniture, pavingstone, Picnic Tables, pond, Portability, products, Satin, Sustainable Growth, Traditional Furniture, Traditional Style Furniture, Tung Oil, turf, Umbrella Holders, Unique Design, water feature, Wine Holders
Posted in Outdoor Furniture | 4 Comments »
