Sunset Celebration Weekend
Posted: May 28, 2012 Filed under: Belgard News, Events 1 Comment »Last year, we helped Sunset renovate their walkways in preparation for Sunset Celebration Weekend. Our team had a blast checking out Celebration Weekend for the first time, and we’re excited to announce that this year Belgard Hardscapes will return to California this weekend as a sponsor of the 2012 event.
We will be on site the entire weekend with fun activities for visitors, including the Belgard Mobile Showroom, presentations by expert craftsman and HGTV host Chip Wade, and local dealers to help you start planning your outdoor project.
Visit Us During Celebration Weekend
June 2-3, 2012 – Menlo Park, CA
Our Mobile Showroom will be located near the West entrance on the Beer & Wine Garden strip.
Stop by for a meet and greet with Chip and ask him your outdoor living questions.
Saturday 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and 3 – 4 p.m.
Enter to win an Amici Series Chicago Brick Oven!
Contractor’s Corner: Belgard Design Studio
Posted: May 21, 2012 Filed under: Contractor's Corner 1 Comment »Contractors play a pivotal role in helping homeowners bring their outdoor living visions to life. Each month, we’ll offer a Contractor’s Corner post to share tips to help our contractor partners offer even more to homeowners and their landscapes.
Contractors today are constantly looking for ways to add value for their customers. The Belgard Design Studio helps contractors create the picture-perfect backyard by allowing homeowners to get a real vision of how their outdoor space will look.
Two-dimensional drawings really only show specs; they are flat and lifeless. 3-D renderings and animation allow the homeowner to visually walk through the space and account for traffic flow, outdoor furnishings, landscaping, lighting, colors, and a host of other factors.
Contractors that use 3D design as a sales tool are experiencing closure rates over 85%. 3D designs allow you to showcase what is possible, resulting in larger projects, higher sells and better profits.
Contractors have four levels of service available in the Design Studio – free, basic, deluxe and premium. The free service offers a number of existing design plans that already include 3-D animated fly-throughs, 2-D photorealistic screen shots, project dimensions, and product materials lists. Contractors can also submit an existing plan and convert their designs into 3-D images with animation. The costs associated with this service start at $99 and vary depending on the project.
Visit Belgard Design Studio to learn more. But if your homeowner wants to get a head start on visualizing their new space, direct them to the Belgard Online Visualizer, which is complimentary, and they’ll come to you with a good starting point for their project.
Outdoor Entertaining Tip of the Month: Top 10 Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Get-Together
Posted: May 14, 2012 Filed under: Outdoor Living, Tip of the Month 1 Comment »Summer is the perfect time to host an outdoor get-together – the kids are out of school, the weather is gorgeous and the sun is shining. Below are some tips to consider when planning your next outdoor get-together. Cheers!
Choose a Theme
Selecting a theme for your get-together helps create a special atmosphere. Margaritas and a mariachi band for a fiesta, or costumes and croquet for a Great Gatsby-inspired brunch.
Keep Food Simple
Check the weather forecast when planning the menu. Hot, humid weather can make some foods go bad more quickly.
Dress the Tables
Keep your theme in mind when selecting table décor, from linens, floral arrangements and place settings.
Add Special Touches
Make name cards for the dining table, add a flower sprig to each napkin ring or label each dish on the buffet with thematic cards.
Make Guests Comfortable
Offer guests a beverage upon their arrival, stock the bathroom with plenty of toilet paper, and provide seating to accommodate the crowd you’re expecting.
Create a Signature Cocktail
We personally love this Cajun Bloody Mary, but you can create your own concoction to match your menu.
Set Up a Kids’ Table
Set up a kids’ table to entertain the children and allow the adults to chat – be sure to stock with art supplies and kid-friendly snacks like veggies and dip.
Keep the Conversation Flowing
Brainstorm topics to bring up should the conversation turn stale – remember that everyone might not already know each other and it’s your job to make everyone comfortable.
Memories to Last Forever
Snap photos before and during the party. Before pics let you preserve your party décor and inspire your next get-together.
Relax and Have Fun!
Remember, it’s a party for a reason. Relax and enjoy yourself, and don’t get too caught up in hosting.
What’s Your Perfect Mother’s Day?
Posted: May 13, 2012 Filed under: Outdoor Living 1 Comment »April showers bring May flowers, and hopefully your kids do too this Mother’s Day! This Sunday, families around the globe will be celebrating motherhood, and so we wondered, what’s your perfect Mother’s Day?
My perfect Mother’s Day is…
“Waking up to breakfast in bed and spending the entire day relaxing, reading a good book on the patio in the sunshine, curled up in my favorite chair.”
- Peggy from Lutherville, MD
“My family loves spending time together in the pool. A day full of poolside fun and grilling in our outdoor kitchen would be my idea of the perfect Mother’s Day.”
- Heather from Charlotte, NC
“My teenagers were so excited when we installed our fire pit. They couldn’t wait to have friends over for backyard parties. My perfect Mother’s Day would be quality time together around the fire before they go off to college.”
- Nancy from Burlington, VT
“A carefree day with no responsibilities or worries! I’d love to enjoy a glass of red wine and star gaze into the evening with my husband.”
- Stephanie from Billings, MT
Share your idea of the perfect Mother’s Day in the comments section below!
Tune In to the Premier of Chip Wade’s Elbow Room
Posted: May 11, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »Tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. EST tune into HGTV for the premier of Chip Wade’s new television series, Elbow Room.
Saturday, May 12 at 1 p.m. EST
The Webbs’ bought their house because they love their community but the outdated floor plan of tiny rooms leaves them cramped in the small family room while other rooms go unused. Designer/contractor Chip Wade wants to reconfigure the layout of the home and create a huge family friendly space. Chip guts this house by busting out the walls that separate the kitchen, family and dining rooms, creating a contemporary great room. This dramatic makeover includes several living zones for each family member, including a custom counter top that doubles as a laptop workspace, a completely updated kitchen and a refurnished living room. This room will truly be the heart of this home.
How to Create Your Dream Vacation Getaway in Your Own Backyard
Posted: May 7, 2012 Filed under: Outdoor Living 1 Comment »Sometimes you need a vacation from the stresses of everyday life and responsibilities – sometimes even from the stress of being the perfect hostess. Here are some tips for creating a getaway spot in your own backyard (and it’s up to you if you invite the neighbors or enjoy the peace and quiet all for yourself – we won’t tell!):
Relaxation is Key
The best part about a vacation is the ability to completely relax and throw your worries out the window, so your getaway spot at home should offer the same ambience. Design your outdoor space to be the ultimate relaxation zone with calming, serene pieces such as a water feature that blocks out surrounding noises. A Belgard water feature can be designed to fit your style – natural, antique or classic.
You can’t relax if you’re always standing on your feet. Pick comfortable furniture with cushions that make you feel like you’re floating on clouds. We love chaise lounges because they allow for absolute relaxation!
Added Amenities for Your Comfort
While a full-time cabana boy might not be in your budget, consider other amenities that would help to create that dream vacation feeling. Is it important to you to have easy access to food or drinks? An outdoor kitchen is perfect for the summer season, but if your space can’t quite accommodate a full kitchen try adding a cabana bar for cold drinks from the fridge and preparing tropical concoctions. Other amenities like towel storage by the pool deck, a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, and a big umbrella to protect from the sun can help transport you to your getaway.
Style for Your Personality
Whether your dream vacation is on a remote tropical island, among snow-capped mountains, or at an architecturally-brilliant old world city, style your outdoor room to reflect your personality and create a space that you never want to leave.
Decorate your space with a wealth of accessories that will help transport you to your perfect destination – fabrics, lanterns, flower pots, outdoor wall art, garden statues. Using accessories allows you to create your very own vacationland, and since they’re so easy to change out, you can travel the whole world right from your own backyard.
