Homebuilders like Pardee Homes and Toll Brothers incorporate outdoor living areas to create a seamless transition from inside to out. Nowhere is this more evident than in the master-planned community of Summerlin® whose gorgeous outdoor setting begs to be let inside.
Plus, it’s a way to add additional square footage to a home in a cost effective way. In Las Vegas, where heat rules the day during the summer, navigating ways to use your patios and courtyards for entertaining and keeping cool are key.
Here are a few summer trends and tips to get you in the mood for summer living and entertaining alfresco.
FIRE PIT: Aside from pools, which certain builders build concurrently with a new home, the next most popular addition to outdoor spaces are fire features. Anything from a traditional fire pit to a stone fireplace or even a pizza oven. These are installed safely on porches, extending the outdoor living season throughout the year.
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TOP COLORS: When furnishing your patio, neutrals continue to reign as the main color preference but shades of blues and greens have increased in popularity for accent hues. Think umbrella colors, chair cushions, even tablescapes to add a perfect punch of color.
SPORTS FANS: If you have a sports fan in your family, adding a small putting green, basketball court or even soccer field adds a touch of green space and creates outdoor fun year-round.
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FLOWERS AND POTTED PLANTS: Flowers are an instant update and add color and life to a space. These can be potted, boxed, tabletop arrangements — a little goes a long way.
BARBEQUE BASICS: It’s true. Barbecues belong to summer. There’s nothing like the scent of sizzling burgers wafting through the backyard to get you in the mood for pool days, garden parties, and lazy summer afternoons. Here are a few must-haves for a successful summer of cooking on the grill.
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GRILL MASTER PICKS:
- Grill brush (not metal, which can break off and be ingested) to clean the grate
- Veggie or fish basket
- Barbecue brush (silicone is best)
- Sturdy oven mitts
- An apron for the grill master
- Long-handled barbecue spatulas and tongs
- Grill (obviously!)—choose between gas, charcoal, or try the outdoor fire pit
- Platter for grill ingredients
- Skewers for kebabs
- Barbecue cover to keep the rust off when not in use
SUMMER RECIPE: At your next barbeque, try ripe peaches on the grill. Slice whole peaches in half, drizzle olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Mark the peach halves slightly on the grill on the flesh side, then flip and continue grilling until soft. Top the peach halves with mascarpone, honey and chopped cashews, or sprinkle with brown sugar or maple syrup. Your guests will gush over this luscious seasonal splurge that tastes like biting into summer.
Tip: Trader Joe’s at Downtown Summerlin® boasts some of the best peaches in town!
Shopping Alert: A stop by Sur La Table, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Ethan Allen, Kirkland’s and Basset Furniture, all located at Downtown Summerlin, offer the perfect one-stop to have your outdoor living space furnished in style.
