Less Daylight, More Firelight |
Don't forget, -- Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 AM this Sunday, Nov. 3, so set your clocks back an hour. Night will soon begin to fall in early afternoon, before some of us even get home.
But Green Scene clients know that the magic of an outdoor fireplace or fire pit turns dark and cold backyards into cozy and warm gathering places. Fire pits can be round, square, or rectangular, and a fire hearth combines the best of both worlds. |
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Scott Cohen designs fire features based on the client's lifestyle. Families who enjoy making S'mores might want a round fire pit, while a rectangular fire trough like the one above makes a great focal point near a larger seating area. Placing it near water adds the benefit of a warm place to exit the spa or swimming pool, as well as
taking advantage of the beauty of fire and water. Hot Tips!
Build for the long term. Stainless steel gas rings substantially outlive the less expensive galvanized metal rings. Save yourself a callback and ensure a happier client.
Consider local weather conditions. Leave the bottom of your fire pit open to allow
water to percolate out. In heavy rain areas, leave a weep or drain hole just above the height of your adjacent patio.
Fire is a great way to enjoy the view. If you have a lot with a view, locate fire features at the edge of the property in a place where people will have a chance to enjoy the fire while taking in
the surroundings.
Consider the view from indoors too. Place features where they can be easily seen from your interior living and entertainment space so people can enjoy the show indoors and out. Fire pits are almost always preferred on view lots over fire-places.
If you’re going to have fire, do it right. Install a generous number of gas rings to create the effect you want. That way, you’ll be able to adjust the flame from mild to wild to suit the mood of the evening.
Plan for safety. Always locate fire features away from traffic areas and take prevailing winds into consideration. Above all use common sense when operating fire features to keep your evenings safe and beautiful. In Scott Cohen’s Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits, the acclaimed garden designer shares his secrets for using fire to turn any patio
into a warm, inviting outdoor room. From romantic stone fireplaces to crowd-pleasing fire circles, to dramatic fire bowls, torches, and troughs, you’ll find what you need to create dazzling nighttime displays in this essential 120 page volume for homeowners, outdoor designers & builders.
Available on Amazon.com Visit Scott Cohen's upcoming seminars for in depth education on these topics: Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, Orlando FL - Nov. 6, 2014 - 8:00: Ignite Your Sales with Fire Features
- Nov. 6, 2014 - 9:45: Counter-intuitive! Design & Build your own cast concrete countertops
NorthEast Spa and Pool Association Show (NESPA), Atlantic City, NJ - Jan. 26, 2015 - 12:30-3:45: High End Pool Design
- Jan. 27, 2015 - 8:30-10:00: Landscaping & Swimming Pools, Winning Partners
- Jan. 27, 2015 - 10:15-11:45: The 4 P’s: Patio Covers, Pergolas, Pavilions, and PetScaping
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