No matter what part of the world your “happy place”  is located in, you can bring characteristics and elements from your  perfect vacation spot right into your enclosure, making it the perfect STAY-CATION!

If you’re missing the feeling you get when you travel to the mountains or the beach… bring the mountains and the beach to you!

By using natural wood textures, and pulling colors that remind you of the mountains and that give you that “breathe easy” feeling  you’ll be able to create a space that is both functional and relaxing.

Adding plants and candles is a good place to start. A perfect Monterey Cypress is an excellent choice for a mountain feeling. It looks like a small pine tree and is sure to remind you of the mountains!  Choose candles with a clean and natural scent.  Lots of candle lines have scents like “Mountain Lake” and “Evening Air” that will fill your space with that fresh mountain air scent! Finish the space off with some wood furniture and neutral-colored oversized pillows for comfort. You’ll forget you ever came home!

If the beach is more your style stick with light colored wicker furniture and add pops of color to give a tropical feeling. Adding some blues and greens and ocean scented candles to your space- you can bring the beach to your backyard!

If you want to add some greenery to your Beach Stay-cation consider a potted Lady Palm. They’re like mini palm trees and are known for their air purifying qualities. Make sure to leave lots of window exposure to allow for lots of natural sunlight.  Not just for the Palm, but also for  yourself! What’s a Beach Staycation without some sunshine?

With a little inspiration and creativity you can easily turn your enclosure into your very own stay-cation. What part of the world will you bring to your backyard?

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN MY VINYL WINDOWS?

Vinyl windows are not glass windows and should not be cleaned as though they are glass windows. The biggest mistake homeowners make when cleaning vinyl windows is treating them like they’re glass windows and using cleaners with harsh chemicals like bleach to clean their vinyl windows.

When it’s time to clean your sunroom’s vinyl windows, skip the glass cleaner, bleach, ammonia, or any other harsh, chemical-based cleaners. These types of cleaners will break down the integrity of the vinyl. Stay away from abrasive cleaners and scrubbing pads that can scratch the surface of your vinyl windows, exposing them to further damage.

To properly clean your vinyl windows we recommend first removing your vinyl window panes and rinsing them off using your hose, but gently. A full pressure spray or power washer can damage the vinyl. (You can also hose them down in between cleanings if you want to freshen them up a little.) This will remove any loose dirt and help in preventing scratches during cleaning. Spray the vinyl with a vinyl window cleaner and wipe clean using a microfiber or lint free cloth. (We use Custom Window Systems Vinyl Window Coating, but any cleaner specifically for vinyl windows will work.) You can also use a mixture of 1/4 cup woolite and 1 gallon of water. Just make sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water after you wash with the mixture.

Clean both sides of the vinyl window and the aluminum or vinyl frame. Vacuum the dry track, and replace the panes.

Cleaning vinyl sunroom windows on a hot, sunny day can cause the cleaner or mixture to dry quickly, likely before you have a chance to wipe it off. For best results, wait for an overcast day so you can properly clean and shine the panes, ridding them almost completely of any residue.

ENTERTAINING DINNER GUESTS WITHOUT A FORMAL DINING ROOM

Formal dining rooms are out and additional living space is in! Most of us don’t have a designated dining room anymore but we still need somewhere to sit and eat dinner when we host our family and friends. Enter the perfect INformal “dining room”, AKA, your enclosure. There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying a home cooked meal outside without having to worry about bugs, leaves, or dirt ruining your food. Dining outside of the traditional spaces of your home can really bring a casual and cozy approach to mealtime.

So how can you transform your backyard living area into a place to enjoy meals with family and friends quickly and with little effort? Simple, add a table, some chairs, set the table, and add food! Really though, it’s that simple.

Most enclosures and covered patios run the length of the home making them longer than they are wide. For this reason I usually suggest a long table rather than a square or round table, especially if you are hosting more than four people. This will allow you and your guests to move around more comfortably without feeling crowded. (But any table will work! You don’t need to rush out and buy a new table.) Creating an elegant dining table is as simple as a collapsible table covered with linen. If you don’t have a tablecloth that you’re in love with consider looking through your linen closet and picking out a sheet that has textures you like or colors that match your theme or the season. A textured sheet or one with a bold
color is a creative way to add character and charm to your outdoor dining area.

Once you’ve selected a table cover you can set the table. I always choose plate chargers rather than placemats to class the place settings up a little. Each setting should also include a napkin and silverware. Keep the cleanup easy and use disposable for both of these. You can find disposable linen napkins at your local party supply store.

A good host knows their guest would rather spend time with them as opposed to watching them do dishes after dining together. Even as the host, you should still enjoy your company. After all, your guests have come over to spend time with you!  Keep it easy!

A few finishing touches and you’ll have the perfect space to host dinner without a formal dining room. Grab a vase and fill it with flowers and plants you are able to find in your yard. It doesn’t have to be perfectly designed to make for the perfect centerpiece.

If you have extra space and want to add another centerpiece, do it! And don’t be scared to use some flowers, vines, or pieces of twigs in your place settings or silverware to tie it all together.

One last thoughtful detail that goes a long way is personalized place cards for each guest. These can be simple and don’t require a whole lot of effort on your part – Let’s face it, you’re already really busy hosting your dinner party!

(Place cards are a great way to get the kids involved too! The little ones will love decorating personalized cards for each of your guests.)

Don’t be scared to have fun and get a little creative. Make it a themed event and decorate your table to the theme. The time and effort it takes will be worth the smiling faces and lasting memories!

Our office will be closed Thursday, November 28th & Friday, November 29th to spend time with our families and friends celebrating all we have to be thankful for! We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and we look forward to serving you Saturday!