WES Blog

In this economy there's not much leftover spending money, backyards are the vacation of choice for many. Just open the door and there you are!

How to make your backyard a relaxing and fun refuge? The experts say good lighting, fire pits and good seating and/or dining spaces are essential. Don't forget the grill.

Making the backyard a fun place to relax will cost some money, but it will always be there, so it is an investment.

Is there space in the backyard for a mini-kitchen? A complete outdoor grilling area where you can cook a full meal is the new hot item in homes; entertaining and cooking while you and your family and friends are enjoying your wonderful backyard. 

How about patio furniture? For a comfortable outdoor space, get rid of the old folding patio chairs. OutdoorSeating that is comfortable, and that you like, not seating that is on sale, is important if this is to be your new vacation spot. Buy patio furniture that is waterproof and won't need sanding and staining or painting on a regular basis.

Even some summer evenings can get cool so fire pits are a great investment. There's nothing like a controlled fire in your backyard to enjoy on a regular basis. An in Massachusetts, gas fire pits are easy work and they extend your summer into the cooler nights of fall.

If you need help deciding what will work for your space, visit us at The Fireplace and Grill Shop at West Sport, conveniently located near Natick, Framingham and Marlborough. We can help you with ideas and design, and we’ll come to your home to measure too.

Your second home, that summer place, is no farther away than the backyard. And where better to spend an evening as the sun sets and a breeze cools down the overheated city?

Rachel and Joe Allen are in the process of turning their backyard into a suburban oasis. They’re putting in a swimming pool and adding a patio and outdoor kitchen, along with new landscaping. They’ll bring in deck furniture to sit beside the pool, casual seating pieces and a new gas fire pit.

“We’re looking to create an outdoor-living environment and expand our livable space,” Joe Allen said. “We had a nicely landscaped yard, but there was no feature to draw you outside.”

High gasoline prices and a halting economy may have some families rethinking their vacation plans for this year and instead investing in new patio furniture and other accessories for at-home leisure and dining.

Patio-furniture manufacturers have improved on recent trends. And, people are extending their homes by bringing more seating outside.

Outdoor living is definitely on the rise. Global Industry Analysts Inc. predicts that, by 2015, U.S. consumers will spend more than $4.4 billion on outdoor furniture.

Americans have long loved to picnic in their backyards, adding outdoor kitchens and barbecue islands to the landscaping. But more and more, they’re making the great outdoors their summertime living room, as well.

Another trend that continues to gain traction is the fire pit, a perfect gathering spot for chilly evenings. They’re fueled by wood or propane and are turning up in both coffee and dining tables.

And many outdoor-furniture manufacturers are going “green.” Telescope Casual Furniture has a line of outdoor furniture made from marine grade polymer (MGP), which is completely recyclable and quite durable.

Original article by Dixie Reid

We’ve had a hard spring her in Massachusetts. There has been far too much rain. But soon enough the weather will improve, right? And we will be able to enjoy our back yard again. But, what about those mosquitoes? They have started coming out at night already, believe it or not. As more and more nights stay around 40 degrees and above, the mosquitoes will hatch. So if you are anxiously waiting those mild, dry spring nights, you need to figure out how to kill mosquitoes so you can truly enjoy it. After all, we deserve a nice night in the yard.

The Skeeter Vac. This propane mosquito killer helps you rid your backyard of flying pests -mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums, biting midges, and sand flies.

Biting insects need blood and they get that blood from us and our pets. They are attracted to us by sensing the carbon dioxide, moisture and heat from our breath, body odors and color contrasts. SkeeterVac mosquito exterminators create this type of environment to attract the  mosquitoes and trick them into thinking the trap is a person.

Once they are attracted to the exterminator, they are captured on the sticky trap or sucked into an enclosure by a powerful vacuum fan. Once trapped, they quickly dehydrate and die.

The Skeeter Vac Assembles in minutes - no tools required. Just place it in a shady spot close to the area where the insects live. Trapping will begin as the mosquito exterminator operates 24 hours a day. Within 4-6 weeks you should realize a significant reduction.