7 Tips to take Your Backyard
from Ordinary to Extraordinary

1. How do you make an ordinary backyard extraordinary? Just add water. Whether you chose a simple tricking fountain, a soothing natural pond or luxurious swimming pool, the sight and sound of water will add life and dimension to your backyard. And there’s an extra bonus, the calming sound of water is a great way to mask the noise of traffic or loud neighbours.

2. Confused about what style of pool to build? Here are a few tips. Choose a white bottom pool for a tropical oasis-like feel, a black bottom pool for a more natural pond -like pool. Free form shapes suit a more casual style while geometric shapes spell formal.

3. Looking for a theme for dining Al Fresco? How about treating your guests to “a taste of Tuscany”? Take a heavy wood or wrought iron/glass table. Drape with a rustic cotton tablecloth or placemats in earthy colours like gold, dark purple, olive and brown. Add heavy ceramic dishes and cutlery. Crown the table with a fresh vegetable centerpiece made from red leaf lettuce, radicchio, eggplants, artichokes, zucchini and olives. Wrap your cloth napkins with fresh herb wreaths made from wire wrapped with rosemary, oregano and basil, and serve a classic Italian pasta dish. And, don’t forget the wine.

4. How do you create your own personal backyard comfort zone? Just imagine a place that makes you feel relaxed and recreate it in your backyard. Whether that special place is a casual cottage setting or picture perfect manicured park, let your senses be your guide. Imagine how it would it would look, sound, feel and smell. Then bring all those elements together and design your dream backyard.

5.. Want to bring a touch of formality and class to your back porch? Dress it up by adding drapes. Sheer or gauzy drapes tied back at corner posts will create an outdoor room with a romantic airy feeling. Furnish your porch with Victorian wicker furniture and vintage pillows for a timeless look.

6.. If your pond looks like a big black hole then try adding some water plants. Line a plastic basket stamped with holes with some burlap or landscape fabric. Fill with gravel. Then, place a water lily still in it original container into the plastic basket. Attach a string to the basket and sink it to the bottom of pond. Once winter comes you’ll be able to pull up the basket, pull out the water lily and plant it again in an indoor water garden.

7.. For the ultimate in poolside luxury here’s an idea for a floating drink tray. Take a plastic pool lifesaving ring. Silicone a round piece of Plexiglas onto one side to create a tray. Fill the tray with beach sand and seas shells and nestle your drinks inside. A refreshing idea for icy coolers and a fun conversation piece!

Deborah Boland © 2006 All Rights Reserved

Deborah Boland is the host of the popular HGTV Canada TV series, Backyard Pleasures, and author of  the ebook: 7 Easy Steps to Transform Your Ho-Hum Backyard into a Breathtaking Oasis.  Sign up for her FREE special report: TOP 3 Backyard Design Mistakes and How You Can Avoid Them! Visit www.backyardpleasures.com or read her blog at  www.backyardpleasuresblog.com

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