Summer is here, with the blazing hot sun high in the sky. School is out, the kids are home, daylight hours grow longer and temperatures climb. It’s the perfect time for fun.

A simple bistro set can become a stunning dining alcove with imaginative accessories like these used in the entertainment area at Bonnie’s Greenhouse.
Photo by Kat Nelson

Today’s popular new destination for summertime festivities is the resort just outside your patio door. Increasingly, homeowners are maximizing their outdoor living spaces with lounge seating, dining areas, pools, spas, pergolas and outdoor kitchens. Influencing this trend are hectic work schedules, an uncertain economy and the expense and inconvenience of the traditional “family vacation” of yesteryear.

By investing in their outdoor spaces, homeowners also increase social interaction in their neighborhoods. Grill parties, potluck dinners and Fourth of July celebrations become regular gatherings for family, friends and neighbors.

For kids especially, summer is all about outdoors. These are the treasured, school-free weeks when they run, jump, splash and play with their buddies — roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, soaking up sun and gazing at fireworks that light the sky.

The starting point for a fun and functional outdoor living area is a foundation plan for the patio surfaces, said Olivia Olvera of Tex-Mex Concrete Construction in Elm Mott.

“We work with our customers to learn how they want to use their space and then design a layout for them,” she said. “Our most popular concrete design is the flagstone pattern. It gives natural color and warmth, has a comfortable, flat and furniture-friendly texture and is extremely durable.”

These Adirondack chairs in pastel colors can really brighten up a backyard. Made of EnviroWood and available at Furniture Center & Casual Shop, they require almost no upkeep.
Photo by Kat Nelson

Beautiful patio settings save homeowners time and travel money in exchange for a peaceful, quiet setting to share with family.

A shade feature also is a must-have. Covered patios and pergolas provide varying degrees of sun protection. Faulkenbery Construction Inc. of Waco is a supplier of Alumawood Shade Structures in either the open lattice/pergola design or the solid roof/covered patio design. The Aluma Shield paint system includes a Teflon additive that increases durability and ease of cleaning over the life of the product.

Kelly Faulkenbery, president, said the company also designs and builds decks, sunrooms and screen rooms.

Awnings are another way to create shade, and retractable awnings allow varying degrees of coverage as needed. In business locally since 1945, Centex Manufacturing Company offers retractable canvas awnings and retractable screen shades, with options for retraction through either remote control or wind/sun-activated sensors.

John Schwartz, president of the company, said his products extend outdoor living space and enhance its comfort level.

A Sunbrella awning can turn a patio into a cool and exotic outdoor setting. Centex Manufacturing offers an array of custom awnings and can create drapes, as well.
Photo by Kat Nelson

“In addition, our products also provide protection from the sun, rain and elements, as well as helping with energy conservation,” he said. Centex Manufacturing also builds canvas and aluminum patio covers, pergolas, screen rooms and room enclosures.

After surface and shade elements, outdoor furniture is the next stop. The Furniture & Casual Shop on Woodway Drive is a retail outlet for an extensive array of outdoor furniture manufacturers.

“Our customers can order the furniture style, color, finish and fabric for a look that is uniquely tailored to their tastes,” said store owner Robert Brewer. “People want outdoor furniture that is comfortable and low-maintenance. A traditional favorite is wrought-iron, but the product now in demand is heavy-gauge aluminum frame furniture from vendors like Tropitone, Mallin or Winston.”

Granite countertops are a customer favorite for outdoor kitchens. Colleen Pike, co-owner of Goldstone Granite & Marble in Lorena, said her company is doing more outdoor kitchens for homeowners.

A custom pergola by Faulkenbery Construction Inc. provides shade and style to this backyard pool area.
Photo by Kat Nelson

“Your countertop choice is definitely the ‘pretty factor’ for a patio kitchen,” she said. “Granite is well-known for its weather durability and comes in so many different colors and patterns. Quartz and vetrazzo/recycled glass are more expensive. All three materials can withstand outdoor conditions without fading or abrasion and require little maintenance. Since most outdoor kitchens are relatively small, they can usually be fitted with stone remnants, which are less costly.”

Sparkling, clear water is a necessity for hours of cool, refresh-ing fun in the pool. Spending hours cleaning and conditioning a pool or spa is absolutely no fun at all.

For 50 years, Lake Air Pool Supply has been providing pool chemicals, equipment, repair and pool service to area residents. The company launched its Web store in January 2010.

“We keep a variety of parts on hand for the do-it-yourselfers, and help educate our customers on pool chemistry,” said owner David Jordan. “Your pool should be an asset, not a burden. We offer pool service weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. Right now, some of our hottest products are the Big Green Egg Smoker/Grill and the Nitro Robotic Pool Cleaner.”

Vetrazo, a recycled glass product, creates a sleek and colorful countertop and is available at Goldstone Granite & Marble.
Photo by Kat Nelson

Lush green lawns and land-scaping accents complete the backyard oasis. At Bonnie’s Greenhouse on Orchard Lane in Waco, owner Sandra Killough said many of her customers come to the shop with a photo or drawing of their backyard space and ask advice on which plants to choose for sun and shade.

Diane Barrera, owner of Robinson Greenhouse on North Robinson Road, supplies indoor and outdoor plants, shrubs, pottery and decorative ironworks. She said her customers favor low-maintenance varieties of perennials, heat-hardy ornamental grasses and shrubbery.

For more information on creating your own backyard retreat, visit:

• www.faulkenbery.com

• www.furniturecenterwaco.com

• www.goldstonegranitetx.com

• www.lakeairpoolsupply.com