There’s No Place Like Home – Revitalize Your Outdoor Space
By Brandi Christoffersen
Now that warm weather and sunny days are upon us, outdoor entertaining, gardening and relaxing in backyards are welcome pasttimes. Many of our readers are looking for ways to freshen-up their patio, lawn or garden, so we reached out to local experts to share creative tips and suggestions.
Beljar Home
The women behind Beljar Home in Heber encourage homeowners to embrace the fresh air of summer and fall. Owners Aimee Simpson and Desiree Ashworth suggest eating al fresco by creating an outside dining area. Depending upon the size of your backyard, you can opt for a family-style table or a tiny bistro version. Make the space fun and inviting by adding playful placemats and dishes. Another simple idea is to bring summer inside. Simpson proclaims, “Don’t worry so much about what people think. Open your windows. Let people look inside. Place potted plants inside and outside. The way we love to live is by embracing imperfections. Choose quality over quantity and let your heart lead the way when it comes to decorating your home and yard.”
Branching Out
For those without green thumbs who still love the look and effect of florals’ natural features, Sue Geyer and Kris Ward of Branching Out have the perfect
solution. The pair take local felled aspen and birch wood and transform them into art. The branches and trunks are strung with high-quality copper LED lights for a soft, whimsical glow. Their suggestion for livening up your outdoors—keep a balance of
rustic and fresh, which they create with their repurposed trees and faux florals. The faux plants reflect Utah’s in-season foliage to blend in naturally with succulents, sage, pussywillow, reed and more. This allows for the perfect low-maintenance and drought-resistant touch of outdoor décor. Exclaim Geyer and Ward, “Our motto is we’re drought resistant, and you won’t know the difference.”
Mountain Refined
An original yet simple way to increase outdoor seating is by adding bar stools to your patio or deck. Each stool can be its own individual design which allows you to get creative. Mountain Refined has a unique collection of bar stools and dining chairs, from Island to Nomad, and their selection changes frequently. Have fun decorating and let your personal character shine through.
Country Gardens Nursery
Would you like to add a lawn or a green area for the kids to play, but don’t want to worry about maintenance watering, dead spots or problem areas? Country Gardens Nursery (CGN) proposes installing high quality turfgrass. Stop by their new help desk and speak to a personal gardening consultant to learn about options and layout ideas. CGN also recognizes that landscaping and gardening can be intimidating and you may not know where to start. Their experts will cover all the bases, from education and consultations to drought-resistant products and sourcing. They will also assist with plant and flower choices, or any topic of concern or curiosity. States General Manager Megan Mounteer said, “What’s nice about CGN is that we do special orders, and we talk to all growers, starting from those closest to us, and we also track down the best price.”
Whether you string up outdoor lights, plant a row of mountain flowers or place a multi-colored pillow on a lawn chair, adding that little “something” can make your home feel even more like a home.