Fire, water components will make your party a hit
Fire and water amenities can add to your outdoor party by mesmerizing and entertaining your guests and, in some cases, becoming a focal point of the gathering.
It is difficult to imagine, for instance, a more down-home, comfortable scene than sitting around a campfire in your backyard with your friends and children, toasting marshmallows and sharing a soft drink, beer or glass of wine.
While summer is an ideal time to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a campfire as you trade jokes, discuss politics or share neighborhood gossip, a fire is considered to be a three-season amenity.
And unlike a hot tub, which offers similar social opportunities, a campfire doesn't demand that you change your clothes, get wet or shiver when you are done.
The range of fire amenities now available to consumers is amazing.
Beyond the traditional brick and block fire pits or the bulbous chimineas made of copper, metal or clay, there are full masonry fireplaces, fire bowls/urns, firewalls and even fire tables.
Northwest Metalcraft in Arlington Heights (www.nwmetalcraft.com) sells a full range of products manufactured in California by R.H. Peterson, according to Daniel Mayer, owner.
Firewalls look like an indoor fireplace without a chimney. Instead, the propane gas fire burns in front of a solid wall that can be made of materials ranging from artisan glass pebbles or squares to masonry tiles in a variety of colors and styles.
Fire urns and bowls are exactly what they sound like. They spout fire when they look like they could just as easily display flowers. A large one can be used as a focal point and gathering space or a pair or grouping of smaller or elevated ones can be used around a pool or large yard for atmosphere. Constructed of a combination of fiber reinforced concrete and high temperature refractory cement, they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
Fire pit tables which can burn propane with glass beads or charcoal are also becoming popular. Generally made at somewhere between a coffee table and dining table height, these structures serve double duty. The fire pit portion in the middle can be almost invisible while you are eating (hidden by a Lazy Susan or a flat cover) and then afterward, the cover can be removed and it becomes a tabletop fire pit. They now come in many colors, styles, materials, shapes and sizes and R.H. Peterson even offers some with adjustable flames.
"There are some who are wood-burning purists and that is what they want," Mayer said. "But many women don't like the smell of smoke, so they choose to have a fireplace fueled by either propane or natural gas and we put stones, ceramic logs, broken glass or geometric shapes in the fireplace to enhance the look of the fire, just like what we can do for an indoor fireplace."
Water is the other amenity that homeowners often choose to feature in their yards and R.H. Peterson even offers a product that combines water with fire. Firefalls, as they are called, feature a gas fire in front of a wall of glass or masonry tiles, and a wall of water cascades behind the fire, mixing the elements of fire and water. LED lights illuminate the waterfall to add to the effect. Northwest Metalcraft can order these to meet each homeowner's particular needs and tastes.
Water features of all sizes and configurations from ponds, to pond-less waterfalls that run over rocks and disappear into a buried reservoir, to bubblers, fountains and aqua bowls have captured homeowners' hearts and imaginations for years.
There is literally a water feature for everyone. It is just a matter of finding the right one, whether it is a pond, stream, fountain or something else. Moving water is relaxing and fun to watch, so people desire it.
"Water features are very popular because they are calming," explained Jaci Kator, co-owner of The Flower Wagon Garden Center in South Elgin (www.theflowerwagon.net) with her husband, Rich. "If a customer wants a larger built-in feature like a pond or the very popular recycling pond-less waterfalls, we subcontract with someone to install it. We do not recommend that homeowners try to install them themselves because they take a lot of manpower and skill.
"But there are also small tabletop water fountains which look like water flowing up and over a rock. They look wonderful in the middle of a table or even on a side table and have the advantage of portability. You can move them around your yard to find the perfect place and you can also take them with you if you move to a new house. We sell those in our shop and they don't involve a special order," Kator said.
Experts advise that if you choose to invest in a large, built-in water feature you should be able to see it from inside your house. You want it to be visible from your windows so that you can enjoy it the maximum amount of time. You should also bring it as close as you can to the house so you can enjoy watching the birds that are drawn to it.
If you can bring a pond right up next to your patio or partially extend it under your deck, that is ideal because people usually love to sit right next to the water. Remember that people usually like to vacation near lakes, the ocean or even mountain streams. They like water, so adding it to your landscape at home makes sense.
Similarly, if you choose a smaller water feature, make sure that your guests can enjoy it by putting it in a place of honor and accessibility.