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

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."

Add the ambiance and elegance of fire to your home anywhere you like with an electric fireplace. With no venting or gas lines required, an electric fireplace is the perfect solution for interior rooms with difficult or no venting access. From Modern wall hanging fireplaces, to traditionally styled fireplaces and hearths, to corner units you can get the style you are looking for, with the ease and convenience you need in an electric fireplace.

Wall mounted electric fireplaces are a display of modern artwork and an elegant fireplace all in one. They simply hang on your wall like artwork and they plug into a standard electrical outlet. Instantaneously, your room, condo, office or spa is transformed into a relaxing retreat. Controlled with a remote, these electric wall fireplaces are perfect for any room in your home.

With our traditional electric fireplaces you simply plug them in, sit back and enjoy. You can transform any room in your home in one day without any mess or fuss by adding to it an electric fireplace.

With the appearance of a classic flame, electric fireplaces can help you start enjoying added warmth and beautiful ambiance at the touch of a button. Imagine arriving home from a busy day and with the touch of the remote from your comfy chair, enjoy the relaxing warmth and soothing light of an electric fireplace.

At West Sport in Sudbury, we have both modern media electric fireplaces as well as traditional and we can help you make the right decision for your home and lifestyle.