Pascale’s Garden

Converting Indoor Pieces to Outdoor Furniture

Restoring old wood indoor pieces and converting it to outdoor furniture is one practical way of disposing and at the same time gaining value from your investments. It?s economical, eco-friendly. It also gives you the chance to keep sentimental pieces. However, this process is not an easy task. It entails lot of cleaning, rebuilding, and repainting. You must also have the necessary tools in doing the job like wire brushes, stopping knife, synthetic-bristle brush, gooseneck scraper and many more. Different kinds of materials and furniture require different kinds of restoration so you must also study them.

Some people leave the task of restoration to experts but a guidebook on how-to can actually help you a lot to make things possible. First, you must choose a well-ventilated area for the restoration. It must also be scheduled on a fair weather. This will give you the convenience of much organized place to work on and letting the furniture dry within half a day up to 24 hours. You must also wear necessary protection like hand gloves.

Identifying wood can be difficult task. Some wood looks identical and even experienced craftsman can make mistakes. There are 70,000 varieties of known species of tree but generally, lumber trade classifies them into two: softwood and hardwood. For a more thorough guide on identifying woods you can refer to the book ?Restoration Recipes: Techniques for Repairing? by James Bain Smith. If you had inquired the type of wood when it was purchased, you won?t need to bother on this.

Stripping solutions are harsh chemical solutions so make sure there are no kids in the work area. There are two types of stripping solutions: the liquid-no-wash stripper and the water-wash stripper. If stripping causes the wood uneven color, you can try bleaching it. After the old color has been washed out, you can start the painting process. There are different kinds of paint and each offers different results. Enamel paint gives satin, flat and glossy finishes. Oil-based paint gives wear-resistant finish.

Another important thing to consider before you start the restoration process is to identify its finish. For a thorough identification, you can test a small part, preferably on a hidden area of the furniture. Large hardware stores sell furniture finishing but few carry more than the basics. Sherwin-Williams chain of store has wider varieties of lacquers and other finishes. If you can?t still find what you needed, you can rely on mail-order suppliers.

There are number of benefits outdoor furniture can get from finishing. It protects from dirt and grimes, it stabilizes the wood and also regains fine color, texture and sheen. All woods have a natural texture depending on the size and distribution of pores. You can preserve its texture by applying a thin finish.

This type of finish has actually gained plenty of approval for many years and it is commonly called the ?natural good look.? If large pores largely appear on your outdoor furniture, you can partially fill it with paste wood filler.

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The most common way to compost organic material into usable fertilizer is to make use of the naturally occurring microbes to use the material as food and energy. Other than ensuring your pile has enough water, food, and air you can leave the rest of the job to the ever helpful fungi and bacteria.

The types of microbes you want to inhabit your composter are aerobic, meaning they need oxygen to thrive and live. You can make sure they have enough air by aerating the compost heap (turning it over with a rake). Another way to ensure there is good air circulation is to add a material such as wood chips or hay – both are bulky and are not easily compressed. This makes sure the air can get in and do its job.

The other kind of microbes that can convert your waste are anaerobic (they do not need oxygen to survive). This may sound like a great alternative – not having to worry if enough air is available. But the unpleasant side effect of having anaerobic microbes in your compost bin is the smell. Without enough air, there will be a distinct rotting garbage smell emanating from your bin. Read more…

Caring for a Wickerwork Outdoor Furniture

Wickerwork is a style of outdoor furniture commonly painted in white and weaved into a specific design. This type of furnishing is made of osiers, twigs or rods. Wickerwork is considered the most comfortable and pleasing type of furniture you can acquire. As early as 3rd millennium B.C., the Egyptians are already making furniture of this kind. A good early example of wickerwork is the Roman chair on a 3rd-century-ad relief in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum at Trier, Germany.

Although, wickerwork is immensely used as indoor furniture, its refreshing finish makes it a great option for outdoor furniture. However, prolong exposure to harsh elements can cause it to wither rapidly. Wickerwork requires your utmost care and attention for it to last for years.

One of the harsh elements than can cause it to wither is sunlight. Exposing the furniture in direct sunlight for a long time will cause the materials to dry out. When this happens, the materials will tear apart. You can store wickerwork furniture indoors when not used. This will prevent it from loosing moisture and sagging. If exposing to sunlight can?t be helped, you can protect the furniture with a cover or locate it in protected area.

You can also occasionally moisten the furniture using a spray bottle or a damp cloth. While doing this regular cleaning, you can also check the furniture for loose pieces or breaks. Minor breaks can be fixed with wood glue. Just make sure you had dust off the parts before daubing to keep it away from ugly smudge. Do this routine once a month, on a well-ventilated area and on a sunny day.

If small brittle and dry parts start to appear, a generous coat of latex paint can save it from loosing moisture. Coating it with latex paint also keeps it from looking always new. Wickerwork especially chair seat tends to sag over the time. To fix this, turn the furniture upside down and wet the bottom using a damp cloth or sponge. Dry the chair for 12 hours to one day to shrink it back to original shape.

If exposed to humid and cold weather, mildew can form in the furniture. The mildew can be removed by using a soft-bristle brush or sponge and mild soap. Light cleaning for wickerwork furniture will ensure durability and long life. If the furniture has accumulated too much dirt, it is good to vacuum it first before manual cleaning. Use a soft-bristle brush and a mild detergent mixed with water or wood oil in cleaning the furniture.

Dirt and crevices can build up in hard to brush areas and sometimes this dirt are not so much visible unless with closer look. Hose down your furniture with water to clear this unnecessary element. Then, dampen the furniture with a dry soft cloth and make sure the furniture will dry up overnight or the next 24 hours.

Damages caused by accidental bumps, scratches and kicks are also an enemy of wickerwork furniture. To protect your furniture from the kids and pets, you can use vinyl and plastic covers but the best armor will still be discipline among family members and placing the furniture in a less accident-prone area.

A wickerwork is an outdoor furniture that brings ease, comfort and beauty to your home and business area. Just like any other furnishings, it?s long-life and durability requires proper care and attention so it is important to know the basics of its maintenance and cleaning.

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Kid?s Outdoor Furniture

There are plenty of rewards you can gain with an outdoor playground. Playing is essential in developing the social skills, self-confidence, and intellectual growth and language skills and outdoors is encouraging avenue for your kids. It also keeps the kids avoid accidents and bumps inside the household. It also provides bigger space for the kids to play around. Setting up an outdoor furniture right inside your home is a great idea especially if you still have enough area to work on.

1. Play Table

Play table can be used for eating meals, playing games, reading books, doing homework and many more. The height should be comfortable for kids, usually about18 inches from the ground. Choose a vibrant color for play table. If you?re a parent who wants an organized area for kid?s toy, you can make playscapes that perfectly fits the play table. Instructions on how to make this project can be found at marthastewart.com.

2. Playhouse

Playhouse is an ideal place for developing your child?s creativity through role-playing. Choose a playhouse that is bright and versatile enough for your children. You must also consider other activities than you and your child can do that will enhance your child?s learning skills like reading books, drawing, and building. Select a playhouse with sturdy construction and has a weather-resistant wood. Some playhouse offers convenient storage space and even has chalkboard and sink. Though, keep in mind that for you to encourage child?s imagination the playhouse must have enough room for creativity. Kids always want to personalize their own place and it?s fun when they are given the freedom of space to do so.

3. Play Bench

You know what they always tell about children play table? ?Today?s table is tomorrow?s bench.? That is why in choosing outdoor furniture you must always take into consideration the growth of your kids. As early as two years old, you can buy your kids furniture but have in mind that the purchase must last until the kids are in five years old. Choose bench that is sturdy and comfortable to sit as the child grows older.

4. Sandbox

Sandbox is a fun kid?s outdoor furniture. It gives kids space for creativity like building sandcastles, digging treasures or just simple playing with their favorite toys and playmates. When you choose sandbox you must consider the size and the quality of its construction. Large and sturdy sandbox gives the opportunity to share wonderful experience with other kids. The corners of the sandbox must also serve at the same time as seating for kids.

5. Picnic Table

Picnic table is perfect for family with a lush garden for kids to enjoy fresh air while playing, doing homework or reading books. Since picnic table is convenient to use only on fair weather, you must consider the possibility that you are required to move this outdoor furniture from time to time. It is best to consider a good quality of picnic table so moving around won?t spoil the kid?s fun time.

You must choose picnic table that is easy to assemble and sturdy enough. Harsh element such as rain and strong sunlight will surely wither your picnic table. It can be repainted once in a while but a low quality picnic table won?t last even with constant repainting maintenance.

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Choosing the Right Outdoor Furniture

Many may be unaware of it, but choosing the right outdoor furniture is as equally important as purchasing it.

Probably the best benefit that one can get from making the right choice is not just with the fact that it can be aesthetically appreciated, but also with the fact that it can also save money in the long run.

If one opts to choose by the materials or the style outdoor furniture is made, it is best advised to have as many options as possible, in order to have a wide variety of choices since designs and prices vary differently.
One gets to have a wide range of choices from rustic wood material and designs, to the contemporary and sleek designs made of aluminum and seats made of a mesh of vinyl-covered polyester fiber.

Aside from the material of choice, another consideration is the amount of time and effort that needs to be spent for the maintenance of the outdoor furniture.

Take for example those made of aluminum can be easily washed and maintained by regular cleaning by hosing it with water, soaping and rinsing it and the more tedious process of varnishing or weather-proofing outdoor furniture made of wood.

One of the most common material for outdoor furniture made of wood is teak, which is also commonly used for boat building for being the material of choice for ship decks and other boat-related applications.

Teak is generally weather proof and drenching it with water does not cause any harm to it, and usually ages to weather by appearing silvery grey in color, which gives it a sturdy and rustic look.

Teak does not generally require a great degree of maintenance due to its natural durability, however, if one opts to preserve its golden brown color, all one needs to do is sand the furniture with a standard furniture quality sandpaper or abrasive and apply teak oil at least once a year.

For those made of plastic, usual maintenance requirements is to be wash it with warm and soapy water and brushing it with a nylon brush to remove grease and grime, especially those situated close to an outdoor barbecue grill or removing dried up soil particles which usually sticks to the furniture material after the rain.

Outdoor furniture made of plastic-based wicker material, on the other hand, need to also be cleaned regularly by hosing it down with water to remove dust and dirt that may accumulate in between the cavities of the wicker material but use less soap on it since it could harden the material making it brittle and breakable as time goes by.

However, for those made of genuine wicker, it is best to avoid using water to clean it since the wood-based wicker mesh has the tendency to absorb water and cause it to cause the furniture to not last longer than expected.

For outdoor furniture made of steel or cast iron, it should be painted or coated with a colorless varnish or gloss to prevent water from getting into contact with the metal and avoid corrosion, making it to last longer and retain its durability.

Some manufacturers, use powder coating material on metal furniture to provide it protection from all kinds of weather.

Powder coating provides for a much thicker weather ?proofing protectant that is thicker and more protective than usual metal paint use to touch up or finish metal furniture.

Choosing the right outdoor furniture will help you understand how it is important to make the right choices that will get to save you all the effort and money that you can afford and sustain.

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How to Pick the Right Outdoor Furniture

It pays a lot to know how to pick the right outdoor furniture for your home garden, lawn or backyard.

This is primarily so, because it would be important to consider that your outdoor furniture will be subjected to the elements and making sure that you have the right furniture is not only key to ensuring the aesthetic value of your furniture, but also ensure that you get to secure your investment on these things.

Here are some key things to consider in choosing the right outdoor furniture to suit your needs.

Don?t just be captivated by beauty and aesthetic value alone.

Outdoor furniture is designed to be a bit more heavy duty and extra protected from the heat of the sun, the drenching of rain water, even the changing temperatures brought about by winds or the damaging effects of sand or other particles carried on by gusts of strong winds.
Make sure that the furniture you will be buying is one that is made for the outdoors.

When in doubt, always ask for assistance.

Picking the right outdoor furniture is also more than just a hunch or a personal preference, it would be best if you are guided with the right kind of information you may need for your furniture needs.

Due to the various weather conditions in different areas, it would be best to make your decisions on those that have been designed for protection ranging from the constant heat of the sun, humid conditions, windy areas, constant rains, etc.

Wooden furniture usually looks good in your outdoor garden or backyard, but make sure that it is designed for the outdoors. You local furniture dealer could help you with options on which ones are made for the outdoors.
If you opt to have your outdoor furniture custom ?made by a manufacturer or designer, make sure to inform them that it will be used for the outdoors.
Always remember that different conditions apply for the indoors and the outdoors, and it does not generally mean that what can is made for the indoors is suitable for your outdoor garden or lawn.

Wooden furniture is entirely different from those made of metal or plastic, so be sure to know the specific care and maintenance of your outdoor furniture to make it last longer.

Prepare a budget before going into a shopping spree for outdoor furniture, today?s designs are so varied and diverse, that sometimes you can?t get enough of all the available designs and choices in the market.

Be prepared to get your hands dirty, which means that unlike your indoor furniture, outdoor furniture requires a bit more care and maintenance.
Although these types of furniture have been treated with extra chemicals or protective coatings on them, human intervention is still required to allow your outdoor furniture to last longer and stay durable throughout the years.

It is always good to arm yourself with a bit of knowledge before hopping to look for your outdoor furniture, a little bit of research can help a lot as to which kind of raw materials are great for the outdoors, that way, you are aware which ones are ideal for the outdoors.

After all, an informed consumer is a wise and smart shopper.
So, know how to lick the right outdoor furniture, not only will you be able to make the correct choices, but also help you protect your investment.

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