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Make Your Outdoor Living Better with Houston Awning Services

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Conclusion

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Mediterranean Patio in Houston Inspiration for a huge mediterranean backyard stone patio remodel with a fire pit and a roof extension

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Porch Front Yard

This is an illustration of a concrete front porch with a roof extension in the mid-sized craftsman style.

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Traditional Exterior - Exterior Idea for a white, two-story traditional mid-sized building

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Best Houston Landscaping Companies | Earth Ideas Outdoors

Earth Ideas Outdoors is a Houston landscaping design company that provides various services, from landscape lighting to drainage and sprinkler systems. We have many years of experience in this field. We will clean the yard drain pipes, locate drainage problems, replace drainage pipe sections, and ensure the proper drainage to protect your home. To know more, call us at (713) 462-4317.

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Traditional Pool

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Paywall-free version

On the outskirts of Austin, Texas, what began as a fringe experiment has quickly become central to the city’s efforts to reduce homelessness. To Justin Tyler Jr., it is home.

Mr. Tyler, 41, lives in Community First! Village, which aims to be a model of permanent affordable housing for people who are chronically homeless. In the fall of 2022, he joined nearly 400 residents of the village, moving into one of its typical digs: a 200-square-foot, one-room tiny house furnished with a kitchenette, a bed and a recliner.

The village is a self-contained, 51-acre community in a sparsely populated area just outside Austin. Stepping onto its grounds feels like entering another realm.

Eclectic tiny homes are clustered around shared outdoor kitchens, and neat rows of recreational vehicles and manufactured homes line looping cul-de-sacs.

There are chicken coops, two vegetable gardens, a convenience store, art and jewelry studios, a medical clinic and a chapel.

Roads run throughout, but residents mainly get around on foot or on an eight-passenger golf cart that makes regular stops around the property.

Mr. Tyler chose a home with a cobalt-blue door and a small patio in the oldest part of the village, where residents’ cactus and rock gardens created a “funky, hippie vibe” that appealed to him. He arrived in rough shape, struggling with alcoholism, his feet inflamed by gout, with severe back pain from nearly 10 years of sleeping in public parks, in vehicles and on street benches.

At first, he kept to himself. He locked his door and slept. He visited the clinic and started taking medication. After a month or so, he ventured out to meet his neighbors.

“For a while there, I just didn’t want to be seen and known,” he said. “Now I prefer it.”

Between communal meals and movie screenings, Mr. Tyler also works at the village, preparing homes for the dozen or more people who move there each month.

In the next few years, Community First is poised to grow to nearly 2,000 homes across three locations, which would make it by far the nation’s largest project of this kind, big enough to permanently house about half of Austin’s chronically homeless population.

Tiny-home villages for people who have been homeless have existed on a small scale for several decades, but have recently become a popular approach to addressing surging homelessness. Since 2019, the number of these villages across the country has nearly quadrupled, to 124 from 34, with dozens more coming, according to a census by Yetimoni Kpeebi, a researcher at Missouri State University.

Mandy Chapman Semple, a consultant who has helped cities like Houston transform their homelessness systems, said the growth of these villages reflects a need to replace inexpensive housing that was once widely available in the form of mobile home parks and single room occupancy units, and is rapidly being lost. But she said they are a highly imperfect solution.

“I think where we’re challenged is that ‘tiny home’ has taken on a spectrum of definitions,” said Chapman Semple. Many of those definitions fall short of housing standards, often lacking basic amenities like heat and indoor plumbing, which she said limits their ability to meet the needs of the population they intend to serve.

But Community First is pushing the tiny home model to a much larger scale. While most of its homes lack bathrooms and kitchens, its leaders see that as a necessary trade-off to be able to creatively and affordably house the growing number of people living on Austin’s streets. And unlike most other villages, many of which provide temporary emergency shelter in structures that can resemble tool sheds, Community First has been thoughtfully designed with homey spaces where people with some of the highest needs can stay for good. No other tiny home village has attempted to permanently house as many people.

Austin’s homelessness rate has been rapidly worsening, and the city’s response has whipped back and forth... In October [2023], the official estimate put the number of people living without shelter at 5,530, a 125 percent increase from two years earlier. Some of that rise is the result of better outreach, but officials acknowledged that more people have become homeless. City leaders vowed to build more housing, but that effort has been slowed by construction delays and resistance from residents.

Meanwhile, outside the city limits, Community First has been building fast. [Note from below the read more: It's outside city limits because the lack of zoning laws keeps more well-off Austin residents from blocking the project, as they did earlier attempts to build inside the city.] In a mere eight years, this once-modest project has grown into a sprawling community that the city is turning to as a desperately needed source of affordable housing. The village has now drawn hundreds of millions of dollars from public and private sources and given rise to similar initiatives across the country.

This rapid growth has come despite significant challenges. And some question whether a community on the outskirts of town with relaxed housing standards is a suitable way to meet the needs of people coming out of chronic homelessness. The next few years will be a test of whether these issues will be addressed or amplified as the village expands to five times its current size.

-via New York Times, January 8, 2024. Article continues below (at length!)

The community versus Community First

For Alan Graham, the expansion of Community First is just the latest stage in a long-evolving project. In the late 1990s, Mr. Graham, then a real estate developer, attended a Catholic men’s retreat that deepened his faith and inspired him to get more involved with his church. Soon after, he began delivering meals as a church volunteer to people living on Austin’s streets.

In 1998, Mr. Graham, now 67, became a founder of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit that has since amassed a fleet of vehicles that make daily rounds to deliver food and clothing to Austin’s homeless...

Talking to people like Mr. Johnston [a homeless Austin resident who Graham had befriended], Mr. Graham came to feel that housing alone was not enough for people who had been chronically homeless, the official term for those who have been homeless for years or repeatedly and have physical or mental disabilities, including substance-use disorders. About a third of the homeless population fits this description, and they are often estranged from family and other networks.

In 2006, Mr. Graham pitched an idea to Austin’s mayor: Create an R.V. park for people coming out of chronic homelessness. It would have about 150 homes, supportive services and easy access to public transportation. Most importantly, it would help to replace the “profound, catastrophic loss of family” he believed was at the root of the problem with a close-knit and supportive community.

The City Council voted unanimously in 2008 to lease Mr. Graham a 17-acre plot of city-owned land to make his vision a reality. Getting the council members on board, he said, turned out to be the easy part.

When residents near the intended site learned of the plan, they were outraged. They feared the development would reduce their property values and invite crime. One meeting to discuss the plan with the neighborhood grew so heated that Mr. Graham was escorted to his car by the police. Not a single one of the 52 community members in attendance voted in favor of the project.

After plans for the city-owned lot fell apart and other proposed locations faced similar resistance, Mr. Graham gave up on trying to build the development within city limits.

In 2012, he instead acquired a plot of land in a part of Travis County just northeast of Austin. It was far from public transportation and other services, but it had one big advantage: The county’s lack of zoning laws limited the power of neighbors to stop it.

Mr. Graham raised $20 million and began to build. In late 2015, Mr. Johnston left the R.V. park he had been living in and became the second person to move into the new village. It grew rapidly. In just two years, Mr. Graham bought an adjacent property, nearly doubling the village’s size to 51 acres and making room for hundreds more residents.

And then in the fall of 2022, he broke ground on the largest expansion yet: Adding two more sites to the village, expanding it by 127 acres to include nearly 2,000 homes.

“No one ever really did what they first did, and no one’s ever done what they’re about to do,” said Mark Hilbelink, the director of Sunrise Navigation Center, Austin’s largest homeless-services provider. “So there’s a little bit of excitement but also probably a little bit of trepidation about, ‘How do we do this right?’”

What it takes to make a village

Since he moved into Community First eight years ago, Mr. Johnston has found the stability that eluded him for so long. Most mornings, he wakes up early in his R.V., feeds his scruffy adopted terrier, Amos, and walks a few minutes down a quiet road to the village garden, where neat rows of carrots, leeks, beets and arugula await his attention.

Mr. Johnston worked in fast-food restaurants for most of his life, but he learned how to garden at the village. He now works full time cultivating produce for a weekly market that is free to residents.

“Once I got here, I said, This is where I’m going to spend pretty much my entire life now,” Mr. Johnston said.

Everyone at the village pays rent, which averages about $385 a month. The tiny homes that make up two-thirds of the dwellings go for slightly lower, but have no indoor plumbing; their residents use communal bathhouses and kitchens. The rest of the units are R.V.s and manufactured homes with their own bathrooms and kitchens.

Like Mr. Johnston, many residents have jobs in the village, created to offer residents flexible opportunities to earn some income. Last year, they earned a combined $1.5 million working as gardeners, landscapers, custodians, artists, jewelry makers and more, paid out by Mobile Loaves and Fishes.

Ute Dittemer, 66, faced a daily struggle for survival during a decade on the streets before moving into Community First five years ago with her husband. Now she supports herself by painting and molding figures out of clay at the village art house, augmented by her husband’s $800 monthly retirement income. A few years ago, a clay chess set she made sold for $10,000 at an auction. She used the money to buy her first car.

“I’m glad that we are not in a low-income-housing apartment complex,” she said. “We’ve got all this green out here, air to breathe.”

A small number of residents have jobs off-site, and a city bus makes hourly stops at the village 13 times a day to help people commute into town.

But about four out of five residents live on government benefits like disability or Social Security. Their incomes average $900 a month, making even tiny homes impossible to afford without help, Mr. Graham said.

“Essentially 100 percent of the people that move into this village will have to be subsidized for the rest of their lives,” he said.

For about $25,000 a year, Mr. Graham’s organization subsidizes one person’s housing at the village. (Services like primary health care and addiction counseling are provided by other organizations.) So far, that has been paid for entirely by private donations and in small part from collecting rent.

This would not be possible, Mr. Graham said, without a highly successful fund-raising operation that taps big Austin philanthropists. To build the next two expansions, Mr. Graham set a $225 million fund-raising goal, about $150 million of which has already been obtained from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the founder of the Patrón Spirits Company, Hill Country Bible Church and others.

Support goes beyond monetary donations. A large land grant came from the philanthropic arm of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Alamo Drafthouse, an Austin-based cinema chain, donated an outdoor amphitheater for movie screenings. Top architectural firms competed for the chance to design energy-efficient tiny homes free of charge. And every week, hundreds of volunteers come to help with landscaping and gardening or to serve free meals.

Around 55 residents, including 15 children, live in the village as “missionals” — unpaid neighbors generally motivated by their Christian faith to be part of the community.

All missionals undergo a monthslong “discernment process” before they can move in. They pay to live in R.V.s and manufactured homes distinguished by an “M” in the front window. Their presence in the community is meant to guard against the pitfalls of concentrated poverty and trauma.

“Missionals are our guardian angels,” said Blair Racine, a 69-year-old resident with a white beard that hangs to his chest. “They’re people we can always call. They’re always there for us.”

After moving into the village in 2018, Mr. Racine spent two years isolated in his R.V. because of a painful eye condition. But after an effective treatment, he became so social that he was nicknamed the Mayor. Missional residents drive him to get his medication once a week, he said. To their children he is Uncle Blair.

Though the village is open to people of any religious background, it is run by Christians, and public spaces are adorned with paintings of Jesus on the cross and other biblical scenes. The application to live in the community outlines a set of “core values” that refer to God and the Bible. But Mr. Graham said there is no proselytizing and people do not have to be sober or seek treatment to live there.

Mr. Graham lives in a 399-square-foot manufactured home in the middle of the village with his wife, Tricia Graham, who works as the community’s “head of neighbor care.” He said they do not have any illusions about solving the underlying mental-health and substance-use problems many residents live with, and that is not their goal.

“This is absolutely not nirvana,” Mr. Graham said. “And we want people to understand the beauty and the complexity of what we do. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on the face of the planet than right here in the middle of this, but you’re not fixing these things.” ...

From an experiment to a model

Community First has already inspired spinoffs, with some tweaks. In 2018, Nate Schlueter, who previously worked with the village’s jobs program, opened Eden Village in his hometown, Springfield, Mo. Unlike in Community First, every home in Eden Village is identical and has its own bathroom and kitchen. Mr. Schlueter’s model has spread to 12 different cities with every village limited to 50 homes or fewer.

“Not every city is Austin, Texas,” Mr. Schlueter said. “We don’t want to build a large-scale village. And if the root cause of homelessness is a loss of family, and community is something that can duplicate that safety net to some extent, to have smaller villages to me seemed like a stronger community safety net. Everybody would know each other.”

The rapid growth of Community First has challenged that ideal. In recent years, some of the original missional residents and staff members have left, finding it harder to support the number of people moving into the village. Steven Hebbard, who lived and worked at the village since its inception, left in 2019 when he said it shifted from a “tiny-town dynamic” where he knew everyone’s name to something that felt more like a city, straining the supportive culture that helped people succeed.

Mobile Loaves and Fishes said more staff members had recently been hired to help new residents adjust, but Mr. Graham noted that there was a limit to what any housing provider could do without violating people’s privacy and autonomy.

Despite these concerns, the organization, which had been run entirely on private money, has recently drawn public support. In January 2023, Travis County gave Mobile Loaves and Fishes $35 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to build 640 units as part of its expansion.

Then four months later came a significant surprise: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the use of federal housing vouchers, which subsidize part or all of a low-income resident’s rent, for the village’s tiny homes. This will make running the village much more financially sustainable, Mr. Graham said, and may make it a more replicable blueprint for other places.

“That’s a big deal for us, and it’s a big deal on a national basis,” Mr. Graham said. “It’s a recognition that this model, managed the way that this model is, has a role in the system.”

Usually, the government considers homes without indoor plumbing to be substandard, but, in this case, it made an exception by applying the housing standards it uses for single-room-occupancy units. The village still did not meet the required ratio of bathrooms per person, but at the request of Travis County and the City of Austin’s housing officials, who cited Austin’s “severe lack of affordable housing” that made it impossible for some homeless people with vouchers to find anywhere else to live, HUD waived its usual requirements.

In the waiver, a HUD staffer wrote that Mr. Graham told HUD officials over the phone that the proportion of in-unit bathrooms “has not been an issue.” But in conversations with The Times, other homeless-service providers in Austin and some village residents said the lack of in-unit bathrooms is one of the biggest problems people have with living there. It also makes the villages less accessible to people with certain disabilities and health issues that are relatively common among the chronically homeless....

Mr. Graham said that with a doctor’s note, people could secure an R.V. or manufactured home at the village, although those are in short supply and have a long waiting list. He said the village’s use of tiny homes allowed them to build at a fraction of the usual cost when few other options existed, and helps ensure residents aren’t isolated in their units, reinforcing the village’s communal ethos.

“If somebody wants to live in a tiny home they ought to have the choice,” Mr. Graham said, “and if they are poor we ought to respect their civil right to live in that place and be subsidized to live there.” But he conceded that for some people, “this might not be the model.”

“Nobody can be everything for everyone,” he said.

By the spring of 2025, Mr. Graham hopes to begin moving people into the next phase of the village, across the street from the current property. The darker visions some once predicted of an impoverished community on the outskirts of town overtaken by drugs and violence have not come to pass. Instead, the village has permanently housed hundreds of people and earned the approval and financial backing of the city, the county and the federal government. But for the model to truly meet the scale of the challenge in Austin and beyond, Chapman Semple said, the compromises that led to Community First in its current incarnation will have to be reckoned with.

“We can build smaller villages that can be fully integrated into the community, that can have access to amenities within the community that we all need to live, including jobs and groceries,” Chapman Semple said. “If it’s a wonderful model then we should be embracing and fighting for its inclusion within our community.”

-via New York Times, January 8, 2024

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Blingle! Of Northwest Houston is a locally operated, nationally backed premier lighting service provider that specializes in landscape, patio, holiday, event, permanent home exterior, and commercial lighting services. It is our mission to turn your next get-together, holiday party, or home into the ideal venue to craft unforgettable memories. We strive for nothing less than excellence when it comes to your Blingle experience… from call to cleanup.

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BBQ Bill's features outdoor fireplaces, vent free fireplaces, fireplace inserts are ideal solutions for those that love to entertain, a perfect cetrepiece for relaxation and a functional piece for added patio convenience. Nothing beats the cozy ambiance an outdoor brick or stone fireplace can bring to your outdoor kitchen, patio or deck. https://bbqbills.com/outdoor-fireplaces

25 Outdoor Fireplace Ideas to Light Up Your Backyard by Architectual Digest https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/outdoor-fireplace-ideas

Humans have convened around outdoor fires since…too long ago to count. The allure of flickering flames is timeless and there are plenty of outdoor fireplace ideas to fit your needs and wants.

For a truly bewitching experience, consider echoing your architecture or juxtaposing against it. “I love to use masonry—such as stone or brick—that matches the exterior of the home, or something totally different, like a sculptural metal that matches any accessories for fences and really becomes a focal point in the landscape,” says Robert Bell, landscape architect behind the Washington, DC, firm Bell Design.

We got intel from top designers to suss out everything you need to know for your backyard fireplace, whether you’re hoping to create an outdoor living area or a Tuscan fire feature. Just add marshmallows.

Is it expensive to build an outdoor fireplace?

We get it: Not everyone has the money to install a covered patio with a woodburning brick fireplace, or a Mediterranean-inspired outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven. But there are plenty of more affordable options, especially if you’re willing to DIY or opt for a fire pit instead. Fire is fire—and can supply instant ambiance.

Although it’s (hopefully) obvious, safety is paramount. Whatever outdoor fireplace ideas you end up going with, it’s vital to ensure proper placement, Bell says. You’ll want an outdoor fireplace or fire pit “far enough from the house so sparks won't catch anything on fire, but not so far they're inconvenient to get to,” he says. Typically that means 20 feet minimum to 60 feet maximum from your home itself. “Consider maintenance: gas fireplaces are far easier to deal with than wood, but less charming, as nothing beats the smell of wood!” Bell says. And there are other aesthetic considerations, like lighting—especially to create a focal point al fresco. “Usually you want the fire to be the center of attention, so low-level lighting is key,” he says. “You shouldn't put anything bright at eye level to compete with the flames. Movable lanterns or subtle uplighting around the fireplace is usually best.”

What is the best material to use for an outdoor fireplace?

If you ever read “The Three Little Pigs” fable as a child, you know sometimes it’s worth it to splurge on materials that will last. A stone fireplace or brick fireplace may cost more upfront than a fire pit, but if you’re planning on making this your forever home, try to think of it as an investment that will reap benefits al fresco for decades to come. “The best materials for an outdoor fireplace ultimately depend on the architecture and materiality of the house itself, and this also drives the cost,” says designer Benjamin Johnston of Houston’s Benjamin Johnston Design. One major factor in what you choose is if you’re going for woodburning or gas, Johnston says. “Do you want to generate heat or is your outdoor fireplace going to serve as simply a focal point, like most do in Houston?”

How much does it cost to build an outdoor fireplace?

As with anything, you can go high or low when it comes to outdoor fireplace ideas. Some landscaping would benefit from a gas fireplace flickering beside intricate pavers, but even a small patio can get summer-ready with an outdoor fire pit that doubles as a BBQ. “It depends on the specifics,” says Eddie Maestri, principal architect, creative director, and owner of Maestri Studio in Dallas. “A general estimate is about $12,000.”

What is the most cost effective outdoor fireplace?

For an outdoor fireplace, “the most cost-effective option would be a prefab insert,” Maestri says. But if you’re hoping to save even more money, consider a fire pit or even DIY—it will be well worth the effort. “If you want to create a cozy, year-round gathering space, fire pits are a low-cost way to add functionality and comfort to your outdoor entertaining space,” says Kevin Lenhart, Design Director at Yardzen, an online landscape company who says fire pits and fireplaces are included in 70% of their designs.

How do you make outdoor fireplace seating comfortable?

Design ideas are one thing; creating an outdoor furniture set up that’s actually comfortable is another. “Our experience has been to get the seating as close around the fireplace as possible [within safe parameters] since it doesn’t project heat very far,” says Montecito, California–based landscape design wizard William Hefner, founder of Studio William Hefner. “It’s also nice to have light furniture that’s easy to pull up around the fire.”

Los Angeles designer Jaqui Seerman works hard to ensure there’s a variety of seating distances (and lightweight, easily portable outdoor furniture). “While some guests may prefer closer warmth, others may enjoy a bit of distance,” Seerman says of crafting a landscape design that works for the cold-blooded and always-hot alike. “Offering adjustable seating ensures everyone can find their comfort zone, making fireside evenings enjoyable and memorable for all.” Just add cocktails, mocktails, and music (a few throw blankets can be a prescient addition for keeping guests warm, too.)

How do you maintain an outdoor fireplace?

“I’ve found outdoor fireplaces to be very low-maintenance,” Hefner says. “We scoop out the ashes every now and then, and we’re good.” He adds that you may want to occasionally enlist the help of a professional chimney sweep like any other fireplace to professionally remove the soot that naturally accumulates over time. To make sure that an outdoor fireplace develops an even patina through the seasons and over time, Seerman suggests regular removal of leaves and other debris, which can easily pile up outdoors. “Once a year I would remove the fire rock and clean the burners,” says Stephen Block of Inner Gardens, who designs his own custom outdoor fire pits out of antique French limestone. “Make sure your fire pit has drainage so water from rain can drain out, and holes around the sides to allow for air movement around the gas line.” Safety first, always.

How long do outdoor fireplaces last?

When you buy or build quality, you can expect your outdoor fireplace to look hot (pun intended) for decades and beyond. Best case, your fire pit becomes a family heirloom your heirs like enough to argue over. “If you build an outdoor fireplace with a masonry firebox, and proper flue system, it should last forever,” Hefner says. One thing to note for safety purposes: “It’s crucial to maintain adequate ventilation in the surrounding area and ensure trees are trimmed appropriately before use,” Seerman says. Here, how designers and landscape architects combined both style and functional substance with their outdoor fireplaces.

Photo: Lauren Pressey1/25Put a little prep in your step Preppy makes perfect for this outdoor fireplace design by Noelle Interiors, with its striped throw cushions, woven natural fiber touches, and towering stone fireplace. We particularly love the handcrafted pendants in three eye-catching sizes over the seating area, which provide a dazzling touch of summer overhead.

Photo: Venjhamin Reyes 2/25Consider a gas option “A warm, modern aesthetic that uses organic colors and textures can balance, clean contemporary lines,” says Dominique Coffman, Vice President of Design at Design West. Coffman favors a gas fireplace over a woodburning fireplace: “They are easy to light and turn off with the flip of a switch or remote control. Another benefit of gas fireplaces is that they do not produce smoke, which makes them a cleaner option.”

Photo: Courtesy of Kern & Co. 3/25Tap into your inner coastal grandma Paging Nancy Meyers. “For this space, antique firebricks take center stage against a simple, pared-back exterior,” says Susan Spath, principal of San Diego firm Kern & Co. “The modern style mixed with classic elements creates a space that is eye-catching. When designing this outdoor space, the client wanted an area that was simply beautiful, yet cozy. The plentiful U-shaped seating arrangement allows for intimate conversation while facing the warmth and crackle of the fire.” Consider us there.

BBQ BILL'S STORY

Outdoor Living Store in Las Vegas

For more than 30 years, outdoor barbecues and kitchen solutions have been the name of the game at BBQ Bill’s. We are your premier barbecue store in Las Vegas, NV, that can help you create the ideal outdoor cooking and living space based on your style and budget.

We design and install custom outdoor kitchens, BBQ island kitchen, fire features, fire bars, fireplaces, fire pits, fire grills, fire rings, pizza ovens, BBQ grills, griddles, smokers, cookers, rotisserie, refrigerators, heaters, sinks, patio covers, outdoor accessories and build as construction contractors.

Our experienced barbecue experts will create a masterpiece that perfectly matches your vision for function and beauty. We have access to thousands of quality items and install only superior-quality products from some of the best names in the business, including Alfa, Alfresco, Amore, Aspire, Blaze, Bonfire, Coyote, DCS, Delta Heat, Fontana Forni, Gozney, Green Mountain, Hestan, Lynx, Memphis, Pit Boss, Summerset, Twin Eagle, Viking, Wolf.  

We service Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Blue Diamond, Enterprise, Goodsprings, Moapa Valley, Mount Charleston, Nelson, Paradise, Spring Valley, Summerlin South, Sunrise Manor, Whitney, Winchester, Arden, Jean, Logandale, Overton, Primm, Sloan, Vegas Creek, Boulder City, and Pahrump. Contact us today to let us help you build the outdoor barbecue and kitchen space of your dreams.

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When it comes to enhancing your outdoor living experience in Houston, look no further than Earth Ideas Awnings and Sunscreens. We take pride in being the go-to experts for Custom Sunscreen Design in Houston, transforming ordinary patios into stylish and functional spaces.

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Our commitment to excellence is evident in our status as Houston's premier patio shade experts. At Earth Ideas, we understand that the scorching Texan sun can limit your enjoyment of outdoor spaces. That's why we specialize in crafting custom solutions to provide shade and comfort without compromising on style.

Unleashing Creativity with Custom Sunscreen Designs

Our team of skilled professionals excels in creating custom sunscreen designs tailored to suit the unique characteristics of your outdoor space. Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a cozy balcony, or a charming courtyard, we have the expertise to design sunscreens that seamlessly integrate with your surroundings.

Houston Patio Shade Solutions for Every Taste

At Earth Ideas, we believe that outdoor spaces should be an extension of your style and personality. Our range of Houston patio shade solutions caters to diverse tastes, from modern and sleek to classic and timeless. Choose from a variety of materials, colors, and styles to complement your home's architecture.

The Earth Ideas Advantage

What sets us apart as the leading Custom Sunscreen Design experts in Houston is our unwavering commitment to quality. We use premium materials and employ expert craftsmanship to ensure that our sunscreens not only provide optimal shade but also stand the test of time.

Professional Consultations for Personalized Solutions

Understanding the unique requirements of each client is at the heart of what we do. Our team conducts thorough consultations to grasp your vision and preferences, allowing us to offer personalized patio shade solutions that exceed expectations.

Why Choose Earth Ideas Awnings and Sunscreens?

1. Unmatched Expertise: Houston's Trusted Patio Shade Experts

Our years of experience make us the authority in custom sunscreen design and patio shade solutions in Houston. Trust us to bring your outdoor vision to life with precision and flair.

2. Tailored Solutions for Every Space

Whether you have a small balcony or an expansive backyard, our team is adept at creating bespoke sunscreens that enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your outdoor space.

3. Quality You Can Rely On

Earth Ideas takes pride in using premium materials and expert craftsmanship to ensure the durability and longevity of our products. Invest in quality that stands the test of time.

Conclusion: Transform Your Outdoor Space with Earth Ideas

In conclusion, Earth Ideas Awnings and Sunscreens stands as the epitome of excellence in Custom Sunscreen Design Houston and Houston patio shade solutions. Elevate your outdoor living experience with our expertly Houston patio shade experts that strike the perfect balance between form and function.

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Home Remodeling in Houston: Unlocking the Possibilities of Your Home

The home remodeling market in the United States is huge, soaring over $340 billion in 2020, and is expected to maintain a steady 4.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2027.

Source - U.S. Home Remodeling Market Size 2027 | Analysis By DIY, DIFM (ampproject.org)

This robust demand has sparked a wave of new and creative remodeling options for homeowners looking to spruce up their space.

Are you one of those homeowners? Have you been weary of the same, old looks of your home and want to try something new? Custom home remodeling services provided by reputed general contractors can be a great way to go about it. Here are a few possible ways to revamp the aesthetics of your haven.

Revitalize Your Kitchen - Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It is that one space where friendly banters are exchanged, delicious food is shared and memories are made. Show this very special room some love by giving it a luxurious remodeling. Add some colors to your cabinets, replace old kitchen components with new ones, or open it up to the living area to change its look and feel.

Craft A Spa-like Oasis - Nothing is better than unwinding at a serene retreat after a tiring day at work. Transform your bathroom into an oasis of tranquility through custom house remodeling. Install an aerobic tub, a rainstorm ceiling, or even smart baths with Bluetooth-controlled lighting to make your bathroom the pinnacle of opulence and comfort.

Creative Home Additions - About to welcome a new member to your family and need a nursery? Or, perhaps you're working from home and want a spacious home office? Whatever the reason, professionally made creative additions can elevate the quality of your life. With proper planning and execution, home additions can unlock new possibilities of incorporating innovative designs to make things easier and more comfortable for you.

Maximize Home Functionality - Home remodeling in Houston can be key to enjoying every aspect of your home. You can bring about a myriad of changes in your living space to optimize it, streamlining your daily chores. Be it adding extra storage or incorporating smart tech, remodeling can be a great way to personalize your space to tailor to your needs and preferences.

Elevate Life Outdoors - Expand your living quarters to include the beautiful outdoors. Build a porch, a patio, or a simple sitting area to kick back and relax. You can also add greenery and lights to make it stand out from the rest while making it a warm and welcoming space.

Endnotes -

Remodeling is more than just the aesthetics of your place - it is about unlocking the true potential of your living space while ensuring that your place represents your authentic self. With a splash of innovation and a touch of creativity, turning your space into one straight out of your dreams has never been easier.

Are you ready to take the plunge and renovate your space? If so, we'll save you the trouble of scouring the internet for the best contractors by suggesting a name you can't go wrong with - Marwood Construction. Their skilled workers use top-notch materials to bring your vision to life. Don't delay further, contact them today!

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Phantom Screens: Enhancing Your Home with Retractable Screen Solutions

Phantom Screens are an innovative and practical solution for homeowners looking to enhance their living spaces with retractable screens. These screens offer a wide range of benefits, including improved ventilation, insect protection, and increased privacy, all while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your home.

Types of Phantom Screens

Phantom Screens offers a variety of retractable screen solutions for different areas of your home:

Door Screens

Single Doors: Ideal for front entry doors and back doors.

Double Doors: Perfect for French doors or double entry doors.

Sliding Patio Doors: Designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing sliding door system.

Window Screens

Phantom Screens offers retractable window screens that provide insect protection and improved ventilation without compromising the view or aesthetics of your windows.

Motorized Screens for Large Openings

For oversized openings such as garage doors, lanais, or large patio areas, Phantom Screens provides motorized retractable screens that can be easily controlled with the touch of a button.

Features and Benefits

Phantom Screens come with a range of features and benefits that make them a top choice for homeowners:

Feature Benefit

Retractable Design : Disappears when not in use, preserving the beauty of your home Professional Installation : Ensures a seamless integration with your existing doors and windows Color and Finish Options : Variety of colors and wood grain finishes to match your home's decor Mesh Options : Choose from insect protection, solar shading, or enhanced privacy meshes Durable Construction: Withstands everyday use and retracts to protect screens when not in use

Installation Process

One of the key advantages of Phantom Screens is the professional installation process:

Each screen is custom measured and manufactured to fit your specific door or window opening perfectly.

Authorized Phantom Screens distributors handle the installation process, ensuring a quick and clean installation.

The result is a seamlessly integrated retractable screen system that enhances the functionality and appearance of your home.

Maintenance and Warranty

Phantom Screens are designed to be easy to maintain and built to last:

The retractable design protects the screens when not in use, minimizing the need for cleaning and maintenance.

When necessary, the screens can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water.

Phantom Screens offers an industry-leading limited lifetime warranty, giving you peace of mind and protection for your investment.

Customer Testimonials

Homeowners who have installed Phantom Screens have reported numerous benefits:

Improved comfort and usability of living spaces

Enhanced curb appeal and home value

Positive experiences with professional installation and customer service

"We love our Phantom Screens! They've made our patio feel like an extension of our living room, and we can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about bugs or harsh sunlight." - Sarah T., Houston, TX

Cost and Value

The cost of Phantom Screens varies depending on factors such as the size of the opening, type of screen, and mesh choice. However, the long-term value and benefits of Phantom Screens make them a worthwhile investment for many homeowners:

Improved energy efficiency by reducing the need for air conditioning

Increased home value and curb appeal

Enhanced comfort and usability of living spaces

Phantom Screens also offers financing options to help make the investment more manageable for homeowners.

Comparison to Alternative Screen Solutions

Phantom Screens offer several advantages over traditional fixed screen solutions:

Retractable design allows for unobstructed views and easy access to outdoor spaces when screens are not in use.

Motorized options for oversized openings provide convenient operation and a seamless integration with your home's architecture.

Magnetic latching ensures easy operation and a secure closure when screens are in use.

Phantom Screens for Commercial Applications

In addition to residential applications, Phantom Screens are also well-suited for a variety of commercial settings:

Restaurants and Cafes: Retractable screens allow for comfortable outdoor dining areas while maintaining an open-air feel.

Hospitality and Lodging: Phantom Screens can enhance the guest experience by providing insect protection and improved ventilation in rooms and common areas.

Healthcare Facilities: Retractable screens can help to create a more comfortable and inviting environment for patients and visitors while maintaining necessary air flow and insect protection.

Conclusion

Phantom Screens offer a versatile and practical solution for homeowners looking to enhance their living spaces with retractable screens. With a range of options for doors, windows, and large openings, Phantom Screens provide improved ventilation, insect protection, and privacy while maintaining the beauty and functionality of your home.

To learn more about how Phantom Screens can benefit your home, visit the official Phantom Screens website or contact your local authorized distributor to schedule a consultation and get started on enhancing your living spaces today.

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backyard landscaping

We offer several backyard landscaping services to our customers, we also add new landscaping designs, flower bed installation, flagstone patios, backyard patio wood decks, etc. Our team focuses on helping our customers with landscaping needs. Our professionals help to transform the backyard into a beautiful landscape space.  Our landscaping services are available throughout Houston, Bellaire, Bunker Hill, Richmond, Rosenberg, Sugar Land, Katy, Missouri City, and Stafford TX. Delivery options include mulch delivery, soil delivery, sand delivery, gravel delivery, landscaping rocks delivery, and more.  We deliver for residential homeowners, landscapers, contractors, businesses, and other commercial customers. We provide fast landscape supply delivery directly to your landscape project.