| You see them everywhere: empty, unused yards and | | | | summer camp bonfires and toasted marshmallows |
| wallflower decks adorned with nothing but a lonely | | | | you're in good company. Sitting around and watching |
| barbeque. All over the country, the typical American | | | | the fire is one of the oldest and most fascinating |
| backyard is a mass of untapped potential. So | | | | social activities of all time. Fortunately, you don't have |
| unnecessary! If you want to make the most of what | | | | to live in the bush to have a fire in the backyard |
| your home has to offer, don't take this important | | | | anymore. Small enclosed fireplaces, chimineas and |
| living space for granted. | | | | simple torches are heating up urban backyards all |
| Where the Wild Things Are | | | | over the country. Handled with respect, these bright |
| More than likely, boring backyards are the way they | | | | spots in backyard living can warm up your outdoor |
| are because they just need a little love. But the truth | | | | living area in a way that few other things do. Many |
| is, many of us just don't know how to improve the | | | | backyard enthusiasts go all the way with this concept |
| relationship. We try. We buy hanging baskets and | | | | and turn a section of the backyard into an outdoor |
| hedges, statuary and peonies but even after all our | | | | cooking area. Ever want your own wood-fired pizza |
| good will and faith, something seems to be missing. | | | | oven? Brick or stone barbeque? It's amazing how |
| Fortunately, turning the average backyard into a | | | | much fun you can have with these. Not ready to hire |
| dramatic outdoor living space that everyone wants | | | | a contractor? Go for a fully enclosed copper chiminea |
| to be in is easy. What your yard really wants is | | | | with a protective screen or even a gas fireplace |
| action and adventure. It wants to remember the wild | | | | designed for the outdoors. |
| place it once was. This doesn't mean that you should | | | | If you have small children and want to keep open |
| start to neglect your lawn. Instead, try adding a few | | | | flame to a minimum, you can always add fire |
| water features and lighting or fire elements. These | | | | elements in less dramatic ways. Opt for candles in |
| simple additions will put you well on your way to | | | | sturdy holders or beautiful yet tame strings of lights |
| creating an outdoor space that's fun and inviting. | | | | hung in the trees or along a fence. Strings of outdoor |
| There are plenty of affordable and safe ways to do | | | | lights are particularly attractive and make nighttime |
| this. | | | | entertaining extremely comfortable. |
| When A River Doesn't Run Through it | | | | Of course, adding fire and water elements are just |
| You don't need to have waterfront property, a river | | | | the beginning of what you can do to add drama to |
| running through your acreage or an inground pool to | | | | the yard and make it truly inviting. You may consider |
| have the benefits of water elements in your yard. | | | | features like these to be more along the lines of |
| Fountains, ponds and waterfalls come in a wide range | | | | finishing touches - pieces de resistance - that come |
| of sizes, styles and price ranges. A small fountain that | | | | after you've carefully elaborated on the landscaping, |
| costs less than $200 is beautiful to look at and | | | | furniture and any covered areas that you want to |
| soothing to listen to on a warm summer night. Adding | | | | add. But whether you start or finish with them - don't |
| running water to your outdoor living area can be as | | | | leave them out! |
| complicated as hiring a landscape artist to build a | | | | Written by the team at Karen Hoeve is a Raleigh NC |
| free-flowing waterfall that serves as a major focal | | | | real estate agent dedicated to helping people |
| point, to picking up a small fountain from the garden | | | | succeed in the Avent West real estate market. |
| center and finding a home for it in the yard. | | | | Contact her for the best home-buying and selling |
| Heating it up | | | | advice in the area. |
| If you have deeply fond memories of corn roasts, | | | | |