Top Picks on Pinterest
Posted: July 29, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living, Pavers Leave a commentPinterest is a great place to find and collect ideas for your outdoor spaces. The Belgard Hardscapes Pinterest page has a wealth of beautiful photography organized by the different ways pavers can be used to help you design your perfect outdoor living space. This week, we’re counting down our top picks on Pinterest as decided by your repins and likes. Enjoy!
#10 – Mountain Retreat with Amenities
This gorgeous mountain retreat garnered 67 repins and 15 likes making it our #10 top pin.
#9 – A Poolside Evening
This evening poolside shot received 80 repins and 35 likes making it the #9 top pick on Pinterest.
#8 – Adirondacks by the Fire Pit
Belgard Pinterest followers gave this Mega Arbel patio and fire pit 86 repins and 16 likes putting it at #8 in our countdown.
#7 – The Outdoor Room
This transitional space blurs the lines between indoors and out, placing at the #7 spot with 91 repins and 23 likes.
#6 – Greek Spinach Dip
Our fans can’t get enough of this Greek Spinach Dip recipe originally posted on the Belgard blog, where we regularly post recipes for outdoor entertaining. With 92 repins and 12 likes it’s our #6 top pin.
#5 – All About the Details
The combination of Mega Arbel and Old World pavers was a hit receiving 93 repins and 20 likes and landing in the #5 spot.
#4 – Dining Outdoors
Belgard Pinterest fans love cooking outdoors and with 113 repins and 11 likes this outdoor kitchen is at the top of their wish list and #4 in our countdown.
#3 – Fireplace with Built-In Seating
This patio featuring a fireplace and built-in seating wall is our #3 top pick on Pinterest with 126 repins and 22 likes.
#2 – A Space for Entertaining
The #2 spot in our countdown goes to this outdoor space made for entertaining. With 144 repins and 35 likes, Pinterest users wish their backyard looked like this.
#1 – The Perfect Patio
Belgard Pinterest followers’ #1 top pick is this perfect patio receiving 160 repins and 34 likes. With a seating area, fireplace and grill station, we couldn’t agree more – it’s perfect for outdoor entertaining!
Our Favorite Picks for Outdoor Kitchens
Posted: March 25, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living 2 CommentsWith the grilling season on the horizon, we gathered some of our favorite products for outdoor kitchens to share with you.
Nothing quite makes an outdoor kitchen like a beautiful brick oven (1) perfect for making pizzas with that wood-fired taste. Of course, we can’t list our favorite picks for outdoor kitchens without a grill! The Big Green Egg (2) takes the cake when it comes to grilling up some mouthwatering favorites like steaks, hot dogs and veggies. Wash that food down with a delicious beverage from these acrylic wine and beer glasses (3). Don’t worry, they can take a tumble outside and won’t break! In the mood for seafood? Infuse your Atlantic salmon with the delectable flavor of these cedar grilling planks (4) or add a kick with roasted garlic sea salt (5). Plus, this adorable picnic table condiment set keeps popular add-ons within easy reach. (6) Lastly, what outdoor kitchen is complete without a spot for entertaining and mixing drinks? We love this pre-built, modular island bar from our Elements Collection (7).
1. Belgard Elements Collection Chicago Brick Oven
2. Large Big Green Egg
3. Crate & Barrel Laela Acrylic Wine Glass and Acrylic Beer Glass
4. Target Camerons Cedar Grilling Planks
5. DEAN & DELUCA Roasted Garlic Sea Salt
6. Target Mr. Bar-B-Q Picnic Table Condiment Set
7. Belgard Elements Collection Island Bar
Spring Forward
Posted: March 4, 2013 Filed under: Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living Leave a commentAs we prepare for the start of Daylight Saving Time and set our clocks one hour forward next weekend, the evenings will become darker earlier and spring’s temperatures will be calling you outdoors.
Get more out of that outdoor time with a fire feature that adds an attractive light source and warmth during the unpredictable temperatures of March. Here are some options for incorporating a fire feature in your outdoor space:
Fire pit
A fire pit is one of the most versatile fire features available because it can accommodate both an intimate evening for two and also a large gathering of friends and family. Varying sizes ensure there’s an option to fit every backyard.
Fireplace
A fireplace is a great choice for homeowners looking to create a statement centerpiece to their outdoor living space. With options to create a custom-designed fireplace or choose from a variety of pre-built modular choices from the Belgard Elements Collection, you’re sure to find just the right fit for your home’s style.
Fire table
A fire table is a lesser known option in fire features, but it certainly creates a contemporary and cool atmosphere to light up the night. Fire tables create visual interest and are often a topic of conversation when gathering outdoors with friends. When not in use, a cover over the fire element creates additional table-top space.
Outdoor kitchen
Bring on the heat with an outdoor kitchen that not only provides light and warmth, but does triple duty in cooking a delicious meal you can enjoy in your outdoor living space. Outdoor kitchens range from modest to gourmet and the choice is yours!
What fire feature would you most like to add to your patio?
Did you know?
Most areas of the United States currently observe daylight saving time, the exceptions being Arizona, Hawaii, and the overseas territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Wood-Fired Brick Ovens: For More Than Just Pizza
Posted: October 1, 2012 Filed under: Outdoor Kitchens, Recipes for Company Leave a commentWood-fired brick ovens are often referred to as wood-fired brick pizza ovens. While we all love a good pizza, your wood-fired brick oven can do so much more than just cook pizza.
Wood-fired brick ovens heat quickly and create high, intense heat that is the secret to the great wood-fired taste – perfect for veggies, meats and a variety of other dishes.
Everything from pizzas to seafood, vegetables and even dessert, Belgard partner Chicago Brick Oven offers this handy recipe guide; check it out and see all the possibilities for cooking in your wood-fired brick oven.
Belgard Wraps Up House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year
Posted: July 23, 2012 Filed under: Belgard News, Events, Outdoor Kitchens Leave a commentWe loved being part of the House Beautiful fifth annual Kitchen of the Year last week in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza. Belgard laid the groundwork with donations of pavers, wall products and fire features that added style and function to the outdoor cooking and living space.
Designed by one of the very best kitchen designers in the industry Mick De Giulio, the outdoor kitchen and living areas featured oversized Medina Slab that provides increased area coverage with fewer pieces, giving spaces grand appearances for a sleek, contemporary style with modern durability and design innovation. The Medina Slab is a new, limited availability product and we plan to expand production in 2013.
Weston Stone, which features a natural stone appearance, was used in the garden walls of the outdoor space. In the kitchen area were two custom-made Belgard Elements Bristol fire tables in Cotswold Mist with Brookstone Slate accents; the fire tables showed visitors how they can extend their outdoor living season with warmth and ambiance. The Belgard Elements custom-made kitchen cabinets and bar were made from Weston Stone in Cotswold Mist to complement the garden walls; the kitchen cabinetry and bar featured Urbana Stone banding in Brookstone Slate and a natural bluestone thermal-finish countertop.
Finally, the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year outdoor kitchen included an Etna Grande brick oven from Chicago Brick Oven, with an insulating design that creates a heating envelope so the oven heats fast to high temperatures and remains cool on the outside for year-round enjoyment.
If you didn’t get a chance to visit this year’s Kitchen of the Year, check out the photos below:
Outdoor Entertaining Tip of the Month: Integrate Fire into Landscape for Function and Flair
Posted: February 13, 2012 Filed under: Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living, Tip of the Month 1 CommentThe fire trend in outdoor living is getting hot, hot, hot! Homeowners across the country are looking to create outdoor spaces that they can enjoy year-round, and for many that means adding a fire feature to extend their outdoor season. Adding fire to your landscape design transforms a grey space into a warming, inviting outdoor room that not only looks stunning, but has function to boot.
A Belgard Authorized Contractor can help you design the perfect backyard that complements your lifestyle, but to get you started here are three ways you can integrate fire into your landscape.
Fire pit
Are you everyone’s favorite weekend host, beloved because you never cringe when friends stop by without warning? Then you (and your friends) will love a fire pit. A fire pit’s design is perfect for a large crowd to circle around. Sit, relax and roast marshmallows, share stories and laughs, and keep toes toasty into the night.
Outdoor Kitchen
Are you the next Top Chef ready to take those indoor cooking skills back to nature? Then an outdoor kitchen is your perfect fit. Entertaining guests outdoors has never been easier – multitask chopping vegetables, flipping flame-broiled burgers on the grill and reducing your homemade special sauce all while keeping your guests company outside.
Fireplace
Does a peaceful moment in front of a warm fire appeal to you? A glowing outdoor fireplace is just the right spot for you. Cozy up on a comfy chair with a good book and let the crackling sound of the fire relax the stress of the day away.
Click here to learn more about Belgard fire feature products and how to incorporate them into your landscape.
Outdoor Entertaining Tip of the Month: Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Herbs
Posted: January 9, 2012 Filed under: Outdoor Kitchens, Outdoor Living, Recipes for Company, Tip of the Month 3 CommentsWhen January’s chill is in the air, warm your senses, heat up your Belgard® Elements grill, and let the aromas waft along the noses of your eager guests as they patiently await this melt-in-your-mouth grilled beef tenderloin recipe. Grilling this buttery, fancy cut gives it a crunchy crust that makes the meat seem even more tender. The flavors of fresh herbs inside and crispy salt and pepper outside make this recipe irresistible.
Ingredients
1 center-cut beef tenderloin (3 to 4 lbs.)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
12 large fresh basil leaves
12 fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
6 to 9 garlic cloves, minced
About 2 tsp. sea salt, divided
About 1/2 tsp. pepper, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sage, basil, or thyme sprigs
Preparation
1. Bring meat to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cut through meat horizontally (parallel to work surface) to within 1/2 in. of other side. Lay meat open like a book and spread with mustard, then top with basil and sage leaves. Sprinkle with thyme leaves, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
2. Close up roast and tie with cotton string at 1-in. intervals. Rub all over with oil and sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
3. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect medium heat, using a drip pan filled halfway with warm water. Grill beef over indirect-heat area, covered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 130° to 135° for rare, 60 to 70 minutes. Transfer beef to a platter and let rest 20 minutes.
4. Remove string. Top beef with herb sprigs. Slice and add salt and pepper to taste.
How to set up your grill for indirect heat
*On a charcoal grill: Ignite about 60 briquettes on the fire grate of your barbecue. Let burn until coals are dotted with ash, about 25 minutes, then push coals to one side and lay a drip pan on the other side. Set grill in place.
*On a gas grill: Turn heat to high and close lid for at least 10 minutes. Adjust heat to medium and turn off burners as needed to create a hot and a cool zone for indirect cooking. Set drip pan in cool zone; set grill in place.
From Sunset magazine October 2010
