Sunnyland, in my opinion, is the very best store for outdoor patio furniture (of course I might be slightly biased). The moment you walk through the front door, you immediately know you are about to experience something special. But the Sunnyland experience goes deeper than the products you can touch. There are real people behind the beauty of our store. 

(BPT) - Parents have never been more crunched for time. Balancing work demands with parental duties is complex - 56 percent of working moms and 50 percent of working dads say they find it very or somewhat difficult to balance these responsibilities, according to a 2013 report about modern parenthood from the Pew Research Center. But just because you're time strapped doesn't mean you need to stress when it comes time to host after-school activities or weekend gatherings with friends and family. With a few key strategies, even impromptu parties are a snap to pull together.

So many times the hardest task in choosing new outdoor furniture, is just knowing where to begin. That would include choosing what colors you will be using in the space you plan to furnish. Honestly, I have had customers fall in love with a throw pillow, and we have used it as inspiration for the color scheme to be use throughout the entire space. It typically doesn’t happen that easily, so before coming into the store to look for furniture, take a really good look around to identify the colors that already exist in your space, inside and out.

(BPT) - Adding living space to your home can be an expensive prospect. However, creating an outdoor room is a budget-friendly option that gives you more square footage, as well as additional opportunities to enjoy the season. As an extension of the home, outdoor rooms with decks or pergolas can be personalized to truly bring indoor comforts outside for relaxation and entertaining.

(BPT) - The past few years have not been kind to lawns and gardens across the country. The summer of 2012 brought severe drought to much of the Southwest and a good portion of the country continues to experience drought conditions. Homeowners have two choices in dealing with drought: try to water enough to keep grass and plants alive and looking good, or implement long-term changes to make yards more resistant to extremely dry and hot spells.

(ARA) - Does spending time on your deck "do it for you" - or does your deck simply "do the job?" Your outdoor space should be an area that you truly enjoy and are proud to show off to company. You may not need a complete deck remodel to achieve that level of perfection. With some smart deck upgrades you can create an upscale look for less.

(BPT) - If you're like many homeowners, you consider the patio an extension of your home. So it's fair to ask: Would you be just as comfortable nestled in with your favorite book or preparing a meal in your outdoor space as you would in your living room or your kitchen? As you contemplate ways to improve your outdoor area, think about projects that can both extend the hours you spend outside and make the time you spend there more relaxing.

Backyards have always been places where families can get away without actually going away. Outdoor areas connect people with their favorite natural treasures while providing a place to relax. Whether it's adding an outdoor kitchen and replacing your old picnic table with a truly impressive dining set, or outfitting your patio with a desk space so you can bring your work outside, you can expand your living area by focusing on what's outside the home.

Realizing the value of spending time outside in a comfortable and attractive setting - and that money spent on an outdoor space can go even further as opposed to a new addition to your home - many homeowners are choosing to focus on improving their outdoor spaces.

DALLAS - Mike Hayes, a sales executive with Sunnyland Furniture, passed away Dec. 20 after a brief illness, the Dallas-based retailer announced. He was 72 years old.  Hayes passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and immediate family at a Plano,Texas hospital, according to an email from Sunnyland Furniture President David Schweig.

Squirrels are one of nature’s cute little creatures, but they can also be a nuisance. When they aren’t out collecting acorns or playing in traffic, they are often at “home” in their nests, or dreys. These nests are made out of twigs and leaves and lined with fur, feathers, or other soft materials. Sometimes the squirrels can find these materials naturally in nature but when they can’t, your outdoor cushion filling makes a great source of fiber for their nests. And in the process, they will destroy your expensive outdoor furniture.

(ARA) - The kitchen and bathroom are at the top of most home remodeling project lists. But homeowners intent on remodeling should also consider investing in the exterior of their homes - maybe even start there.

That's the advice of Sarah Susanka, one of the nation's leading voices for redefining the American home, and author of the Not So Big House series, a collection of nine books focusing on home design, architecture and remodeling. 

The reason for investing in the exterior is simple. The exterior should set the tone for your home's interior look and feel. Also, first impressions really do count to the long-term value of a house, especially when it comes time to sell it.

Our new accessories are arriving each day, and while they all are designed to beautify your outdoor living areas, it is sometimes unclear which ones are more durable for outside in the harsh elements. I am listing the most popular items in the store, along with the recommended way of using them in your space.

I get calls each day about how to clean and care for outdoor furniture. I thought I would put down a few basic things that would help in extending the life of your cushions, slings and strap furniture.

So much of what is popular these days consist of fabric cushions. Customers come in and see all the sofas and chairs with the big thick cushions and say they would be afraid to put these outside, but these are not the same fabrics that are inside on your living room furniture. They are made to be outside to take the abuse from UV rays and the harsh elements that are in the atmosphere. Here is what you need to do to take care for your furniture to maximize the longevity and durability of the furniture.

(ARA) - The cooling weather signals most homeowners to retire their lawn and garden equipment for the year. But before you stow away the rakes and hoes, remember that fall offers a unique opportunity for starting projects that can yield beautiful landscape results next year. You can save time and potentially money by doing a few simple projects now so when spring arrives, your yard reaches its full potential.

Every year, a lot of time, money and effort is devoted to the pursuit of a beautiful and well-maintained home landscape. According to the 2011 American Time Use Survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans who dedicate time to lawn and garden care spend on average more than two hours a day maintaining their outdoor spaces.

While a beautiful yard takes effort, there are ways you can better utilize the time, money and energy you spend on maintenance. Keep these tips in mind when tackling the landscape during the cooler months:
 

Born in Ohio but having lived in Fort Lauderdale for most of the last forty years, it was a pleasure to rediscover a seasonal climate with year- round moderate temperatures right here in Texas. A climate that highlighted the change of seasons yet was moderate enough to permit the use of our patios and outdoor spaces any month of the year and on all but the coldest days of the year!

For me, this meant that my lifestyle of cooking and eating most meals outdoors would not have to drastically change. Only the nastiest weather of snow, ice and freezing temps would keep me inside if only I designed my outdoor space to include a few things not often seen in Texas!
 

(ARA) - Backyards have always been places where families can get away without actually going away. Outdoor areas connect people with their favorite natural treasures while providing a place to relax. Whether it's adding an outdoor kitchen and replacing your old picnic table with a truly impressive dining set, or outfitting your patio with a desk space so you can bring your work outside, you can expand your living area by focusing on what's outside the home. 

Here we are in the Dog Days of Summer ,and I do mean DAWG ! The temperatures are soaring over one hundred degrees ,with no rain in sight. The good thing about this time of year is that one of our favorite seasons, Fall, will soon be here. You may be thinking to yourself, how much do I want to put into my patio and outdoor furniture with the cooler weather coming? 

The outdoor umbrella is an important part of outdoor living. Living in the Dallas area we experience lots of sunny, warm weather. The solution to beating the sun is an outdoor umbrella because not everyone has a covered patio. You can see lots of umbrellas at different stores and places. However, the best place to find the different styles is in the clearance center at Sunnyland. 

(ARA) - Last year's summer temperatures broke records in many areas of the country. Depending on where you live, this summer could be shaping up to be a scorcher for you. As temperatures climb, many of us retreat indoors, leaving our outdoor living spaces vacant until fall. However, it is possible to enjoy being outside throughout the sultry months if you take a few steps to keep your outdoor living spaces as cool as possible.

Here are a few ideas to help you keep your cool outdoors this summer: 

(ARA) - What makes an outdoor party great? It's simple: Keep guests comfortable. 

When friends and family gather at your place for a party this summer, what will they remember most about your backyard? The lovely landscaping and delicious food you served, or uncompromising weeds and stinging bugs? Make that lasting impression a positive one by creating an outdoor environment that's both comfortable and enjoyable for everyone. 

The outdoor space is a place that is becoming more and more used as additional useful space for your home. These days people are remodeling their outdoor spaces along with indoor remodels. In the outdoor furniture business for several years, I have seen some magnificent spaces added to homes. People are considering all types of additions. It’s not just a pool or hot tub. More and more people are adding an outdoor kitchen along with spaces to relax around a fireplace, watch television or have cocktails around the fountain. 

High quality patio furniture can be a big investment, but it can also offer huge rewards. Comfortable, long lasting furniture will greatly enhance your enjoyment of your outdoor space. And...who knows?... you just might find yourself spending more time the great outdoors in your own backyard. But, with such a dizzying array of outdoor furnishings available in so many types, what best suits your needs? Lets explore some different options, noting their advantages, drawbacks, and some of the misconceptions about them.

(ARA) - Looking for a trendy home and garden makeover that gives instant gratification and doesn't require a lot of time and resources? The latest trends in fashion and home decorating are drawing inspiration from the bright colors and laid-back attitudes of the tropics.

"Vibrant tropical colors are influencing home decor and gardens this spring and summer," says Doug Jimerson, editor-in-chief of gardening for Better Homes and Gardens.

Whether you want to makeover a deck, patio or porch, add some tropical flair by following the "three P's" of outdoor design: plants, paint and punch.

Mothers Day is coming up on Sunday, May 13th, 2012. This is the day that we can show our appreciation for all the wonderful things our Mothers have done for us. She is not only responsible for us being here, but she loves and cares for us more than anyone on the planet. You don’t need a special day to get her something, but when Mothers Day rolls around you immediately start trying to think of a special gift for her. Your thoughts go to personal things, such as jewelry, perfume, clothes and always candy and flowers or maybe a trip to the spa. These are always thoughtful gifts, but Mothers of today are interested in more interesting things.

The outdoor party season is here! I mentioned in my last post that we just received our spring tableware collections in six different color pallets. They are Tuscany Red, Mediterranean Gold, Classic Brown, Garden Party (Spa Blue & Brown), Palm Green, and Metropolitan Black.

Try purchasing your outdoor tableware to coordinate with the cushions, slings, and umbrellas that are going to live in the space day to day. Then accent with different colors depending on what theme you want to create with inexpensive accessories. One week you may have a Mothers day gathering with family, and two weeks later, you may have friends over for Memorial Day weekend.

More and more people are installing salt water pools in their backyard or they are converting their chlorine pool over to salt water. Many people say that salt water pools feel softer than traditionally chlorinated pools and are easier to maintain. This may be true, but they can cause additional wear and tear on your outdoor furniture and this may not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Original Landscape Concepts Outdoor Visionaries© Mike Dickerson and David Hunchik\'s in depth portfolio exhibits over forty years combined experience of landscape design and construction. This award winning team of artisans is dedicated to your comprehensive satisfaction. They have a time tested process designed to insure that satisfaction.

Brent Glaze, an outdoor living consultant at Sunnyland, recently went to Virginia to attend Gloster University.  This is a series of educational trips and programs that Gloster hosts each year to tour its manufacturing facility and learn about their teak plantations in Indonesia. Below is his report.

Gloster furniture has their timber come from a  sustainable plantation in Indonesia where the teak is harvested and then replenished to keep the forest constant growth. Although not indigenous to Indonesia, its climatic conditions are ideal for growing teak which was originally introduced to the islands by Buddhist monks, some 700 years ago. When the Dutch colonized Indonesia in the 19^th Century,they established large teak plantations and introduced the sustainable plantation management system that are still in place today.

(ARA) - It\'s that time of year when homeowners are lured outside by the warm, sunny weather. Is your outdoor space ready to be enjoyed to the fullest? If your deck or patio needs updating, catching up on the top design innovations and trends will help you create an inviting area that will add value to your home investment.

This year\'s leading trends focus on blending functionality with beauty to construct a stylish and usable space that requires little maintenance. To create the best outdoor space on the block, consider these popular ideas for your home.

(ARA) - Spring has been knocking at the door all winter long. With record-low snow falls behind us and a forecast of more unseasonably-mild days ahead, why not take advantage of the temperate weather and get a jump on your outdoor spring cleaning now?

Here\'s a list of to-dos guaranteed to get your outdoor space in tip-top shape so you can enjoy the even warmer weather ahead:

(ARA) - In today\'s world where news travels at the speed of now, people are searching for balance and purpose and are tapping into the power of plants to cultivate the \'new good life\'.

"Plants are powerful," says Eric Liskey, deputy garden editor for "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine. "Whether it\'s enjoying garden-to-table meals or sharing great new plant finds, people are naturally drawn to plants."

Besides beautifying our homes and gardens, plants play a vital role in our health and well-being. They elicit powerful positive emotions, revive neighborhoods, and influence everything from what we eat to life\'s milestones.

For the first time in eight years, color specialist and source Pantone LLC has amped up its Pantone Fashion + Home color system by adding 175 new colors, bringing the total to 2,100 shades.

(ARA) - Yearning to escape to a tropical paradise? This spring, look no further than your own backyard to capture the romance of the tropics and create a sense of optimism to lift your spirits.

"People are craving vibrant colors to add energy and excitement to their outdoor spaces," says James Farmer III, a hip, young trendsetter and professional landscape designer. "It\'s simple to add tropical flair and recreate your favorite dream vacation with the right plants - and few plants say \'tropics\' as clearly as the hibiscus."