{"id":3925,"date":"2015-04-23T09:20:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-23T09:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livinghouse.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3925"},"modified":"2015-04-23T09:20:00","modified_gmt":"2015-04-23T09:20:00","slug":"get-set-for-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.livinghouse.co.uk\/blog\/get-set-for-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Get set for summer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With summer fast approaching we\u2019re keen to hear that decent weather is on its way. So it\u2019s not surprising that we\u2019re easily seduced by the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/uk-weather-britain-sizzle-three-month-5504384\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">media claims<\/a> of a possible heat wave, despite <a href=\"http:\/\/blog.metoffice.gov.uk\/2015\/04\/13\/more-warm-weather-this-week-but-whats-in-store-for-the-summer\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Met Office<\/a> saying otherwise.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We know that weather is unpredictable as a rule, but the optimist in us all is hoping for blistering temperatures and long, lazy days of sunshine this summer. Whether it\u2019s a pipedream or reality, we know it\u2019s best to be prepared in order to make the most of those fleeting sun-filled days. So here are some top tips to ensure your garden is heat wave, or at least, summer-ready.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Create a shaded area<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Apparently only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, so whether it\u2019s scorching hot or just a little bit sunny, make sure you have a shaded area in your garden to enjoy the sunshine responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Utilise the shade provided by the canopy of a tree, garden umbrella or pergola for dining and relaxing. If your pergola is lacking in plant coverage, use bamboo fencing to create shade that still allows plenty of light.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.loveumadly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/HomeDetails2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"467\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Embrace alfresco dining<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s nothing more reminiscent of our sun-kissed holidays abroad than dining alfresco. You may not be blessed with views of the Tuscan countryside or the ocean from your garden, but you can still recreate the enjoyment of eating outside.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s hot and sunny, then lashings of ginger beer or homemade lemonade are required to keep our fluid levels up. And when it\u2019s time to dine, chilled wine or beer is most definitely on the menu. How about this nifty idea to ensure your drink of choice is at its optimum temperature and within easy reach at all times?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Just replace the middle plank of your wooden table with a metal trough. Fill with ice and as many bottles as required. Shouldn\u2019t all tables come like this as standard?<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com\/736x\/5d\/fe\/48\/5dfe48e8c1c5d08f9d1d8d43b8998ef3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"526\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carla Aston<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Create some privacy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If the sun is out your neighbours probably will be too. That\u2019s not a problem if you enjoy chatting over the garden fence or sharing the odd BBQ, but if you\u2019d rather not share your wobbly bits with them, then a little privacy is required.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>How about this great idea using repurposed doors to create a foldable screen? It can also be used to provide much needed shade too.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/www.desiretoinspire.net\/storage\/allpostphotos\/PageImage-496716-2477788-IMG_7016.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1334296569612\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"526\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">desiretoinspire.net<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Maximise the warm evenings<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When the weather\u2019s good, warm evenings ensure we can hang out in the garden after the sun goes down.\u00a0 Create a relaxing area with cushions and lighting that can be used during the day and when night falls.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com\/736x\/69\/90\/3d\/69903d99664f8c56a9b2caec68ce06a4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Keep it toasty<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When the temperature drops there\u2019s nothing more appealing and comforting than your very own fire pit. It\u2019s also a good excuse for toasting marshmallows.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If you fancy making your own from an old washing machine drum, take a look at this <a href=\"http:\/\/www.instructables.com\/id\/Knalpot-Fire-pit\/\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">step-by-step guide<\/a> from instructables.com.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 357px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.instructables.com\/F2B\/LK5P\/HX1W8PFY\/F2BLK5PHX1W8PFY.MEDIUM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"347\" height=\"618\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Instructables<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stay cool<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And finally, should the heat wave come and you happen to have a spare bath lying around, it\u2019s perfect for a cool, refreshing alfresco soak.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk\/96\/000017597\/8e0b_orh550w550\/Natural-garden-with-tub.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"350\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">House to Home<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With summer fast approaching we\u2019re keen to hear that decent weather is on its way. So it\u2019s not surprising that we\u2019re easily seduced by the media claims of a possible heat wave, despite The Met Office saying otherwise. &nbsp; We know that weather is unpredictable as a rule, but the optimist in us all is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"twitterCardType":"summary","cardImageID":0,"cardImage":"","cardTitle":"","cardDesc":"","cardImageAlt":"","cardPlayer":"","cardPlayerWidth":0,"cardPlayerHeight":0,"cardPlayerStream":"","cardPlayerCodec":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[8,15],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.7.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Get set for summer - 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