WES Blog

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

At West Sport we have an outdoor fireplace and several fire pits for your outdoor entertaining. With the Oriflamme Gas Fire Pit, you have a fire pit, ambiance, conversation piece, and serving table all in one. With various styles and designs, Oriflamme firepit tables combine sophistication and ambiance. These gas fire pits complete the setting in your outdoor room.

These gas fire pits are the first ever designed fire. Choose from Tuscan stone or granite, square or round, with 24 choices of colored fire glass; these fire pits are fully customizable. But even the fire can be designed as you can see from the video. Your fire can take the form of a sun, a school logo,  yin and yang or it can have no design at all. You have to see it to believe it. Oriflamme fire pit tables are cleaner, less expensive, and safer than other fire pits on the market; they are all handcrafted and made in the USA. Because they are fueled by propane, they are very easy to use. There is no need to worry about smoke, ashes or burning embers, the fire pits are self contained with a 2.5 gallon propane tank included.

At West Sport, we would be happy to show you how easy these firepit tables  are to assemble and light. But, they are so intriguing; we wanted you to see it right now.  

Home and gardening experts are seeing increasing trends that are integrating outdoor living spaces more and more into daily life. This is mainly due to the increase of "staycations" due to the sluggish economy. Locally, there is a growing demand for outdoor living areas. Homeowners are adding outdoor living spaces such as outdoor kitchens and patios, with all weather furniture and fireplaces.  Outdoor fire pits are big now, and so are Kamado Joe and Primo Smokers.

A week-long family vacation for four to Walt Disney World can cost $5,000 or more. Instead, homeowners are opting to increase the functionality and value of their homes with outdoor living areas. These spaces also provide relaxing backdrops for time with family and friends.

This type of project can be easily budgeted as well. Homeowners can put in the patio and outdoor grill area first, and then add the sink and counter space or the more expensive furniture later on. As long as it's well planned, it won't look piecemealed together.
 
West Sport in Sudbury specializes in upscale exterior living spaces and can handle everything from helping with grill styles and needs, to cabinet and counter configurations, to outdoor kitchen plans and installation. Larry, the owner of West Sport says "You should have an idea of what you want in your outdoor living space and to be sure to make the area big enough to handle it. Often people want to fit a table and chairs, a grill and a fire pit, but then they don't have room to walk around."

West Sport prides themselves on their breadth of products and new showroom. It provides an area where customers can visualize and touch the products. The showroom features many components of an outdoor kitchen, fireplaces and fire pits; and a new patio is being built in order to showcase pavers and patio benches.
 
"Bring us a general idea of what you want or would like to have," Larry says. "Come on in and look at the stuff; touch it, feel it, and see what you like and what will work for you."