Fire pits fit into just about every outdoor setting. They can be used in rural areas as a way for couples to get together and relax, in suburban backyards as they are safer than bonfires and easier to maintain or in cities, as a way to remind urban dwellers of their rural roots. Settling beside a fire pit, sipping wine or colas and passing the time with friends, family or loved ones is quickly becoming a past time for many people, even if they do not have large recreational areas attached to their houses. Outdoor fire pits come in all types of shapes, sizes and with different amenities to increase comfort and safety. Shapes typically resemble the charcoal pit of your average outdoor grill, and preferably made from copper or some other flame resistant material. They range in size from small to large and we encourage the optional safety feature such as the retractable mesh fire pit spark screen.

The area that you set up for your outdoor fire pit, should have some sort of fire resistant base, such as a slab of concrete, embedded stones or a ground area free of grass. Additionally, your area should be free of low hanging branches from trees, any shrubbery or other fire hazards as they do occasionally give off sparks. That’s why we recommend and supply expertly matched fire pit screens to compliment the beauty, quality and most importantly the safety of enjoying the outdoor fire pit experience.

The purpose of a well made fire pit is to add warmth, character and an area to relax. Keep that in mind when choosing the ideal fire pit for your outdoor space. Make sure that your supply of wood is close at hand and do not make it too far from your house. Above all, select something that will add beauty to your backyard and give you a place to enjoy family and friends.

Turning an outdoor space into an Al Fresco dining room requires a creative mind that will incorporate the natural habitat with that of a peaceful dining area. This can be done in many different ways, but the goal is to pull together an area that people feel relaxed, happy and peaceful. Depending on where you live, this can be as easy as walking into your backyard and setting up a picnic table or as difficult as having to erect barrier walls, climbing vines and at least one source of “white” noise to drowned out the sounds of a city, highway or pedestrians.

Using a fountain or small pond is another way to create a mood, drown outside noises and encourage tranquility. This can work in both urban and rural areas as the sound of running water tends to soothe just about everyone in any environment. Whether you use a smaller, tabletop version or go to the expense of having an in ground bubbling fountain or pond. There are simple and sophisticated fountains, ponds and pond and fountain combinations available on the internet and depending on your skills at designing, can be as simple or complex as your imagination allows.

Make sure your garden area is filled with colorful plants and flowers, which echo the vibrant culture of Italy. If you have a small space, consider container plantings with authentic Italian pottery and planters, using fragrant flowers that have a long bloom season. In larger backyards, the sky is the limit – your outdoor dining area can be as lush and romantic as your pocketbook will allow. For mood and accent lighting infuse some copper tiki torches and oil lamps or romantic wood burning fire pit.

Since virtually the beginning of time, fire has played an immense role in human survival. As humans evolved in terms of social, cultural, survival and wealth generation skills, humans began to look at fire as less an essential, life giving tool and more and more as an important, but enjoyable amenity. Fireplaces that provided heat, light and cooking are now mostly used for decorative purposes, camp fires that used to keep settlers, trappers and hunters alive are now places to pass a romantic evening or tell ghost stories and the outdoor grill is pretty much reserved for tasty vitals on holidays, during the summer and other special occasions.

The same could be said for the outdoor fire pit. Fire pits used to be functional appliances that smoked meat, cooked large meals or allow nomadic tribes to smoke the fruits of their hunting trips. Now, fire pits are used primarily to help us pass time in our backyards on quiet evenings when the cozy warmth of a fire gives us a pleasing sense of relaxation, ease and comfort.

This year, take your garden from dull to dramatic; from the ho-hum syndrome to the WOW factor! Whether the garden is for growing herbs, creating an outdoor sanctuary or simply a space to enjoy your favorite plants and flowers, we all enjoy spending time planning, assembling and maintaining our garden, not to mention the time spent enjoying the fruits of our labor! Take a walk around your neighborhood and you will find that most gardens look the same. This is primarily because most people overlook an important aspect of creating focal gardens; adding and displaying unique urns and statuary. This is the keystone to create a visually appealing garden space that offers various points of interest at different heights using color, texture and shape.

The ‘average’ garden has vases and planters that are dispersed throughout the garden and utilized to grow plants, display rocks or just for decorative reasons. They are usually very sturdy, made out of thick plastic, ceramic or concrete. Using an urn to display special flowers or plants calls attention to them when people wander around the garden. If you want a garden that is anything but average, you need to think outside the box when it comes to urns, pots and statuary.

To be dramatic in your garden, you might want to consider infusing colorful pottery. Large Majolica Italian pottery including; vases, umbrella stands and Orcio urns made in Italy make exceptional planters; giving a tall, sleek appearance and a burst of distinct and luxurious color. Pottery from Deruta and urns are also a great choice, and since they are available in different sizes, you could easily create a grouping of outstanding potted flowers in varying heights and shapes. Adding colorful pottery to your garden means that you don’t have to rely on flowering plants to provide vibrancy and color intensity in your garden. Especially in early spring and late autumn, when blooms are at a minimum, Italian pottery urns and vases can work to add shots of color all over the garden.

Al Fresco is an Italian style of dining; painting or room arrangement that incorporates a “live” atmosphere. It uses colors and outdoor mood to set an environment that promotes fresh air, relaxation and refinement, as only the Italian can do. Typically, the Al Fresco garden is a creation that allows people to dine in leisure, savoring fresh food, surrounded by lush plant life, lots of fresh air and serenaded by a mood enhancing fountain or other source of running water. Mention Al Fresco dining to most people and the image that immediately comes to mind is one of a glorious dining experience set on a secluded patio, deck or rooftop, complete with a splendidly set dining table, fabulous foods, a fountain running in the background and lush plant life surrounding the outdoor eating space.

The first step to converting your outdoor space is to assess the levels of ambient noise that will permeate the area. If you live in a city, you will never be able to totally eradicate noise, but you can, with careful planning, reduce that noise to a low din. By pre-determining the level of noise that naturally exists in your environment, you can then decide the types of “noise” reducers that you will need to drown them out and create an atmosphere that resembles a fresh air dining space from eras past. Trellises covered with lush vines also acts as a clever noise barrier. For a more permanent effect, you may want to consider a wall made of Italian brick or stucco. If you take this route, consider building in a couple of shelves on which you can place interesting potted flowers or Italian pottery for a true Italian feel. You will find a fabulous selection of authentic Italian dinnerware for your dining experience at Upside Living.

We found this charming setting to be the perfect Al Fresco dining example for your backyard at Chris the Cook website. Be sure to check out his delicious recipes while you’re there. Enjoy!