Outdoor kitchens and living spaces are gaining in popularity particularly in parts of the country with more temperate climates. Summer is just around the corner and if you love entertaining family and friends, what better way to make that happen, than by transforming your back yards, decks and patios into spectacular living spaces. It instantly expands the architecture of your home and seamlessly connects you to the environment. But consider these important tips before you get started.
-When hiking or biking, stay on designated trails. This keeps damage to vegetation and erosion in one place.-Take only pictures, leave only footprints. If you carry it in, carry it out. This will eliminate litter.4. PlumbingBefore you begin any construction in your new outdoor kitchen/living space, educate yourself on your local building and safety codes. Are there any restrictions or provisions regarding the location and size of your kitchen?The new season of NCIS LA starts Tuesday, September 21st with a two-hour episode (although I don't think cooking lasagna, more specifically, duck lasagna will be featured). However, I hope you picked up on a few ideas and if you ever get the desire to cook duck lasagna, just be sure like the actor Peter Cambor you commit fully with the nine hour process! Until next time, remember the Budget Bash mantra: make it simple, delicious, stylish, fun & economical to all!Responsible recreation means having the common sense and the courtesy to enjoy the backcountry without spoiling someone else�s experience. Most outdoor enthusiasts understand this very well and spend a good deal of their time restoring, enhancing and conserving our backcountry. Have a good time when you�re outdoors, share these keys with your friends and use this information to Get It Right The First Time.Chuck Fitzgerald ©2004. All Rights Reserved.Select materials that are best suited to your climatic conditions, and will withstand the test of time. Slab countertops of granite, soapstone, concrete and stainless steel all hold up well to the elements. Tiles work as well but the grout tends to crack over time and if not sealed properly could create problems down the road.Here is the Tread Lightly!, www.treadlightly.org, pledge: Travel and recreate with minimum impact, Respect the environment and the rights of others, Educate yourself � plan and prepare before you go, Allow for future use of the outdoors � leave it better than you found it and Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.7. Material SelectionJust like any home renovation project, knowing the extent of the work in advance will help save you time and money. Whether a simple prefab barbeque unit suits your needs - or hiring that designer to conceive of your ultimate outdoor living space complete with plumbing and electrical, know your intensions in advance.If you're planning to incorporate a sink, dishwasher, or ice-maker in your new space, you will need to run water lines from the house out to your new kitchen. If at all possible share the exterior wall of the kitchen where the plumbing already exists for a more cost effective scenario.As I have mentioned in prior articles, you don't always have to make everything from scratch, and sometimes it is best to know when to supplement your dinner party with store bought food items. Of course, our meal was casual and I brought the desserts over in the box, but if you make a beautiful presentation, most times guests will be so impressed that you just don't have to fess up where everything comes from.-Protect water sources from contamination. Use bio-degradable soap, or try hot water soap-less dishwashing, bathing and clothes washing. When using soap (even bio-degradable) and toothpaste, dispose of the wastewater at least 100 feet away from natural water sources, well or faucet water sources.
Select materials that are best suited to your climatic conditions, and will withstand the test of time. Slab countertops of granite, soapstone, concrete and stainless steel all hold up well to the elements. Tiles work as well but the grout tends to crack over time and if not sealed properly could create problems down the road.
Author: Lori Gilder
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