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embedded potted Brazilian olive tree in the ground and surrounded the surface with stones, creating a small interior garden. "One of the clients expressed how sad she gets during the winter months and how she wished she could be around nature — but the cold makes staying outdoors difficult. So we added the tree and created a Zen garden to make winters more bearable; we brought the outdoors inside with this patch of nature"
Where Does the Butterfly Go When It Rains? Design team: Interiors by Blackwood Named after a book the designer had when she was young, this room brings magical castle ruins to life, complete with a starlit picnic feast and clouds of delicate faux butterflies. Suggested menu: French bread, fine meats, cheeses, fruit and wine or champagne.
Beyond Nourishment Design team: JQ Jonquil-Design JQ Jonquil-Design infused this dining room with tree-inspired shapes in a variety of materials. With a chandelier as the centerpiece, the room's decor reflects in the windows, doors and mirror, enhancing each piece's visual effect. Suggested menu: Mint juleps with quartz-crystal-shaped ice cubes, and a meal made with all-fresh produce.
Citronella Candle Barrel - $12.95 » Buying the candles themselves tends to be the most inexpensive choice available. Citronella oil or candles are widely available in decorative forms, such as this candle from Crate & Barrel. No matter what you choose, don't let mosquitoes ruin the investment you've made in your outdoor space and the treasured time spent with friends and family.
Citronella candles use Cymbopogon (lemongrass) as the active ingredient. Plant it in your garden and you may get some of its insect-repelling benefits. But the oil in the plant is what repels the mosquitoes, so it needs to be released by either crushing, drying or infusing the plant into an oil or alcohol base and applying it to your skin, clothing or outdoor space.
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern » If you're looking for an even more affordable way to eliminate mosquitos, the ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent Patio Lantern may be just the solution. Not only does it come with 12 hours of protection against pests (refills are sold separately), but it looks cute too.
You can have a system professionally installed by an authorized dealer, but DIYers can easily find the systems online and install one themselves. I have the drum system in my Oklahoma backyard. Right now it is set up on a timing system and has a remote control. We set up the spray nozzles around the eaves of the house, our outdoor living areas and the pool — sort of like a sprinkler system. While it might sound a little weird, these things do work. My family can always tell when the misting tank is empty, because the mosquitos show up and make us miserable.
2. Air Curtains Air curtains, like the Aloha Powerwind Air Curtain in this photo, have traditionally been used for customer entrances, drive-up windows and concession stands. Today they're often used in residential outdoor living spaces or doorways. Installation and maintenance are easy, and the curtain operates quietly.
Mosquito Magnet Portable Trap - $599.99 » 3. Portable Traps and Systems A less expensive option is a portable Mosquito Magnet trap. It runs on propane and batteries and lures mosquitoes into a trap. One unit covers about an acre.
1. Mosquito Misting Systems There are several mosquito misting systems, such as the MistAway Mosquito Misting System, which use insecticides to eliminate the pests from your outdoor space. Most systems are either tankless or drum-based systems that can be activated by remote control or set on a timing schedule. The active ingredient most commonly used in these automated systems is called pyrethrin, which is derived from the extract of a certain variety of chrysanthemum flowers. There are man-made pyrethrin botanicals called "permethrin" as well, which are low in toxicity to humans and mammals.
Mosquito Misting System » When the system is activated, tankless mosquito misting systems mix a fresh batch of the misting formula. The homeowner can specifically program the dose rate and tailor the amount of active ingredient that's used. The drum-based system has a 55-gallon drum made of molded plastic and a soft waterproof cover. When it's activated, an agitation cycle turns on and keeps the solution well mixed to ensure even distribution of the insecticide. The tankless system is around $1,700, while the drum system is around $1,300
Precision, strength and agility are necessary in the Olympic sports of trampoline and synchronized diving. Let the kids flip and jump on a subground trampoline in the backyard like this one, and they could be well on their way to activity-filled summer days under the sun — and maybe to the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The next challenge was how to coat the hull. "We wanted something that would look like old-world planking that could stand up to kids' fingernails," Kuhl says. "We worked like mad scientists in the shop, combining epoxy and drywall compound with brown colorant to find the perfect mix. After we applied it we combed it to give it a rough texture." A crow's nest tops the ship. A mural of ocean and sky completes the seafaring vibe.
Kuhl built the ship's hull much like one would on a traditional seaworthy ship, with ribs, in this case made of laminated plywood. "This was a good excuse to use the CNC (computer numerical control) for something besides cabinets," says Kuhl. In other words, you feed a computer the measurements you need and it cuts the boards for you. The hull material is ⅜-inch Masonite, which is high density and flexible. The square openings below the main deck open into a small storage area.
I was sure Kuhl must have employed some sort of Pirates of Penzance set-designing guru, but he designed and built the entire thing himself. "I've never lost my inner child ... I just really got into that place and said, 'Let's just have fun' when I dreamt this up," he says. "I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75. I'll never let that happen; I'm still a kid at heart."
As you approach Zack's room, a peek around the corner lets you know this is no ordinary bedroom; the first thing you encounter is a stone jail "for locking up bad guys, and maybe little sisters," says Kuhl. From the jail, a bridge extends across the room to a pirate's ship. The hull hangs from a loft area that was unused before Kuhl and Zack decided to transform it. The bridge can handle the weight of four adults.
This swim-up cabin is surrounded by a man-made pond. The owners can dip into it right off the deck, and it's also stocked with trout for fishing.
The owners of this floating house on Lake Union in Seattle tend to kayak instead of swim up to their home, but these large glass garage doors make it possible to dive from the living room.
A row of metal rims frames this patio and gives off a vibe that's more industrial than country.
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