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Tag: fire pits

  • Landscape Visit: The Ultimate Indoor-Outdoor House on 36 Acres in Coastal Maine – Gardenista

    Landscape Visit: The Ultimate Indoor-Outdoor House on 36 Acres in Coastal Maine – Gardenista

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    “There isn’t another site like this available anywhere near Portland, Maine,” said Russell Tyson of Whitten Architects, “and it’s the site that makes this house so unique.”

    He’s describing a jaw-dropping 36 acres perched along the oceanfront in Scarborough, Maine, the site of many native habitats—rocky coastline, woods, wetlands, and meadows included. Most of the land is in a conservation trust to preserve its natural character, but that didn’t deter the owners, a young couple with two children who wanted a weekend retreat that was “the antithesis of their high-rise life in New York City.” Two acres could be developed, so they removed an existing 1980s house that had “no sort of relationship to the landscape,” said Tyson, the project architect. In its stead, they designed a four-bedroom, mostly single-story house and detached car barn with guest quarters above.

    Whitten partnered with landscape architect Todd Richardson to create a strong connection between the house and landscape. They knew each other well and had collaborated before, so they designed the project’s indoor and outdoor elements in tandem. “Here, the exterior spaces were just as important as the interior ones,” said Tyson. Let’s take a look.

    Photography by Trent Bell except where noted, courtesy of Whitten Architects.

    Above: At the entryway, a Rockport granite boulder directs visitors from the parking court toward the front door just off to the right. A small apple orchard flanks the walkway.

    The site was once part of a farm, full of rolling meadows that drop down to the shore.

    Above: In the front garden are salvia and ornamental grasses mixed with lawn. “The walls extend outward from the house to throw the architecture out into the landscape,” said Richardson.

    The previous house had an asphalt parking lot prominently featured in front; in contrast, said the architect, “we wanted you to park your car and forget about it for the rest of the time you are here.”

    Above: Flanking a porch off the bedroom wing: A birch tree at far left hovers over highbush blueberries, northern bayberry, low huckleberry, lowbush blueberry sod, and hay-scented fern. The patch on the right side of the walkway also includes black chokeberry, rhodora, and cinnamon fern.

    The landscape architect chose native plants that thrive in this part of Maine.

    Above: Each bedroom has a porch to encourage residents and guests to head directly outdoors in the mornings.

    The house is framed in Douglas fir and stained in Cabot Nantucket White. The decking is water-resistant ipe wood, and the roof is standing seam metal in slate gray.

    Above: Bordered by full-height sliding glass doors, the living room links a courtyard in front of the house to a patio on the opposing side. The landscape architect planted pitch pine here, centered on the axis of a single large pitch pine hovering over the water’s edge—the only tree along the waterfront for about 1,500 feet, visible beyond the living room.

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  • Garden Visit: At Home with Landscape Photographer Caitlin Atkinson – Gardenista

    Garden Visit: At Home with Landscape Photographer Caitlin Atkinson – Gardenista

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    For years I’ve marveled at (and been envious of) the work of photographer Caitlin Atkinson, who captures gardens, interiors, and still lifes with a serene, dreamy, almost ethereal feel. She is a master of catching the sun as it shines soft and warm, as it creates glowing halos around plants, highlighting and hugging simultaneously.

    Caitlin photographed landscapes for the book Under Western Skies: Visionary Gardens from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, written by Jennifer Jewell, that spotlights innovative and inspiring gardens in the West. [N.B.: More recently, she’s been working with Kendra Wilson on Gardenista: The Low-Impact Garden, to be published next spring.] Caitlin’s work, of course, involves almost constant globe-trotting, but when she is able to be at one of her own homes, either in Nevada City or Santa Cruz, you can find her digging and tending her own patches of dirt.

    Caitlin Atkinson at Home

    Caitlin’s gardens have different styles, as they are in different climates and settings. The Nevada City garden, in the foothills near the Yuba River, is, as Caitlin describes it, “more of a subtle color story.” One area of the garden consists mostly of blues and is situated in a very sunny, dry, and hot spot. She also has a fescue meadow that she continues to seed and plant into. “The drought has more of an impact here, along with the risk of fires.”

    The Santa Cruz garden, on the other hand, is a beach cottage with more colorful plantings. And even though the garden gets sun all day, the proximity to the ocean creates a very mild climate. “The hardest things to work with there are the sand for soil, the wind off the ocean, and the salt air,” shares Caitlin.

    Join us for a closer look at her two gardens.

    Photography by Caitlin Atkinson.

    Nevada City Garden

    “Everything I plant has to be low-maintenance, very tough, deer-and bunny-resistant, plus like where it lives or it will not make it,” says Caitlin. Both gardens started slowly and continue to evolve that way as well.
    Above: “Everything I plant has to be low-maintenance, very tough, deer-and bunny-resistant, plus like where it lives or it will not make it,” says Caitlin. Both gardens started slowly and continue to evolve that way as well.

    Caitlin decorates her porch with pots purchased from Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco. Agave ‘porcupine’ fills most of them, while a Clematis armandii vine frames her forest view.
    Above: Caitlin decorates her porch with pots purchased from Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco. Agave ‘porcupine’ fills most of them, while a Clematis armandii vine frames her forest view.

    “My work often gets incredibly busy right when you might be the busiest in the garden, so I often do not get to do much in the garden. It can sometimes turn into a real wild scene, but mostly things are left to their own devices with a little maintenance when I can,” says Caitlin.
    Above: “My work often gets incredibly busy right when you might be the busiest in the garden, so I often do not get to do much in the garden. It can sometimes turn into a real wild scene, but mostly things are left to their own devices with a little maintenance when I can,” says Caitlin.
    This simple concrete bird bath attracts mostly acorn woodpeckers. Caitlin adds, “Of course robins, seasonal finches and hummingbirds are in the garden, but they are not so much at the water.”
    Above: This simple concrete bird bath attracts mostly acorn woodpeckers. Caitlin adds, “Of course robins, seasonal finches and hummingbirds are in the garden, but they are not so much at the water.”

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  • Best fire pits for your backyard from Solo Stove, Tiki and more

    Best fire pits for your backyard from Solo Stove, Tiki and more

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    As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below*

    With spring weather upon us, it’s finally time to redecorate your backyard. Whether that’s by adding a new patio chair or grill, no backyard is truly complete without a fire pit. Fire pits can be expensive, hard to assemble or even difficult to clean. Below, we’ve rounded up the best fire pits that are portable, durable and aesthetically pleasing.

    Features we looked out for in the best fire pits:

    Safety: Check with your homeowner’s association or local city rules to see if you’re allowed to have a fire pit. You’ll want to consider where you place your fire pit depending on the rules in your region.

    Type of fire pit: There are both gas and wood-burning fire pits. Wood-burning fire pits require firewood or sometimes charcoal. Gas burning usually works with a propane tank. Wood-burning fire pits generally produce better-quality flames, although gas-burning fire pits may be easier to operate. We’ve included options for both below.

    Size and weight: Fire pits can weigh as much as 40 pounds or be as light as 2 pounds. If you’re looking for something more portable, choose a lighter fire pit. If you’re looking for something more stationary to keep in your backyard, you can choose a heavier fire pit – we’ve included options for both.

    Best overall

    Solo Stove is known for its ‘smokeless’ fire pits, which feature flames up to 400 degrees hotter than conventional fire, to reduce smoke and create fine ashes, according to the brand. It also has a removable ash pan like some of our other picks, making cleanup easy. And, it comes with a free carry case so you can take it from the backyard to the beach without any issues. Shop it in multiple aesthetic colors, including three new metallic shades.

    Type: Wood burning

    Weight: 20 pounds

    Best deal

    TIKI Brand Retreat Smokeless Fire Pit

    This portable fire pit has a 4-foot heat radius and is built to fit traditional firewood, thanks to its rectangular shape. It has an internal airflow system, which reduces smoke and ash, according to the brand. The removable ash pan also makes for easy cleanup. You can also shop this fire pit with the wood pellet back if needed.

    Type: Wood burning

    Weight: 41 pounds

    Best gas-burning fire pit

    Yaheetech 28in Propane Fire Pit Gas Fire Pit

    This is one of the best gas-burning fire pits you can buy. It doubles as outdoor decor – you can use the included lid to cover up the fireplace and use this product as an outdoor table. It generates adjustable heat, all you have to do is turn the knob till you find your desired temperature. It is on the heavier side though, so we suggest buying this fire pit if you’re looking for something stationary.

    Type: Propane

    Weight: 46 pounds

    Portable pick

    BioLite Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit

    If you are looking for the most portable option, this is it. It works with both wood and charcoal and has a mesh top, allowing for more even flame distribution, according to the brand. You can adjust the flames manually, or link your firepit to your phone’s Bluetooth and operate the flames hands-free.

    Type: Wood and charcoal

    Weight: 1.24 pounds

    * By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave Localish.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these products with you, Localish is not endorsing these products. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.

    Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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  • Best fire pits for your backyard from Solo Stove, Tiki and more

    Best fire pits for your backyard from Solo Stove, Tiki and more

    [ad_1]

    As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below*

    With spring weather upon us, it’s finally time to redecorate your backyard. Whether that’s by adding a new patio chair or grill, no backyard is truly complete without a fire pit. Fire pits can be expensive, hard to assemble or even difficult to clean. Below, we’ve rounded up the best fire pits that are portable, durable and aesthetically pleasing.

    Features we looked out for in the best fire pits:

    Safety: Check with your homeowner’s association or local city rules to see if you’re allowed to have a fire pit. You’ll want to consider where you place your fire pit depending on the rules in your region.

    Type of fire pit: There are both gas and wood-burning fire pits. Wood-burning fire pits require firewood or sometimes charcoal. Gas burning usually works with a propane tank. Wood-burning fire pits generally produce better-quality flames, although gas-burning fire pits may be easier to operate. We’ve included options for both below.

    Size and weight: Fire pits can weigh as much as 40 pounds or be as light as 2 pounds. If you’re looking for something more portable, choose a lighter fire pit. If you’re looking for something more stationary to keep in your backyard, you can choose a heavier fire pit – we’ve included options for both.

    Best overall

    Solo Stove is known for its ‘smokeless’ fire pits, which feature flames up to 400 degrees hotter than conventional fire, to reduce smoke and create fine ashes, according to the brand. It also has a removable ash pan like some of our other picks, making cleanup easy. And, it comes with a free carry case so you can take it from the backyard to the beach without any issues. Shop it in multiple aesthetic colors, including three new metallic shades.

    Type: Wood burning

    Weight: 20 pounds

    Best deal

    TIKI Brand Retreat Smokeless Fire Pit

    This portable fire pit has a 4-foot heat radius and is built to fit traditional firewood, thanks to its rectangular shape. It has an internal airflow system, which reduces smoke and ash, according to the brand. The removable ash pan also makes for easy cleanup. You can also shop this fire pit with the wood pellet back if needed.

    Type: Wood burning

    Weight: 41 pounds

    Best gas-burning fire pit

    Yaheetech 28in Propane Fire Pit Gas Fire Pit

    This is one of the best gas-burning fire pits you can buy. It doubles as outdoor decor – you can use the included lid to cover up the fireplace and use this product as an outdoor table. It generates adjustable heat, all you have to do is turn the knob till you find your desired temperature. It is on the heavier side though, so we suggest buying this fire pit if you’re looking for something stationary.

    Type: Propane

    Weight: 46 pounds

    Portable pick

    BioLite Smokeless Outdoor Fire Pit

    If you are looking for the most portable option, this is it. It works with both wood and charcoal and has a mesh top, allowing for more even flame distribution, according to the brand. You can adjust the flames manually, or link your firepit to your phone’s Bluetooth and operate the flames hands-free.

    Type: Wood and charcoal

    Weight: 1.24 pounds

    * By clicking on the featured links, visitors will leave Localish.com and be directed to third-party e-commerce sites that operate under different terms and privacy policies. Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these products with you, Localish is not endorsing these products. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.

    Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

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    KABC

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