Fire Sense Stainless Steel Tabletop Heater

Although more of a fall and winter item than spring and summer, this is something no serious outdoor entertainer should be without. This Fire Sense Stainless Steel Tabletop Heater runs off a small propane tank and puts out an impressive 10,000 BTUs, raising the temperature anywhere from 10 to 25 degrees. Value priced at $139, it’s perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or hosting guests on the patio in comfort during the cooler months.

 Austram Classix Hanging Planter

Greenery is essential for any outdoor space, and with a few of these Austram Classix Hanging Planters you’ll have plenty! It’s made from a super strong polypropylene plastic, designed to withstand years of outdoor exposure, and the coco liner in it is a great bonus that will encourage your plants to thrive. And since they’re just $21, you can get a couple and have a beautiful, lush display of plant life around your patio. It is a great combo of form and function.

Smart Solar Portsmouth Solar Birdbath

Solar fountains have exploded in popularity in the last few years, so if you don’t have on around your home then it’s time you get one! This Smart Solar Portsmouth Solar Birdbath uses a solar panel mounted in the basin, so there are no wires and nothing to plug in. Made from high grade resin, it’s light enough for one person to move easily but sturdy enough to stay in place in bad weather. At $139, it gives you all the style and class that comes with an elegant water feature for a fraction of the price.

EHO Studios Patio Conversation Set

Patio furniture sets are one of the most expensive items for the outdoor space, but a quality set is an investment that will last for years. With that said, you won’t find a much better deal than this EHO Studios Patio Conversation Set. Made from rattan, this set has a sofa, 2 chairs, and a table, all designed to hold up in all weather conditions. You even get your choice of free (yes, FREE) red, white, or black cushions! The best part is the price – just $969 for the whole set! It’s an obvious choice for saving money without sacrificing quality and style.

This was a Guest Post by Marissa Alan. She is a writer with Outdoor Living and loves the challenge of designing on a budget, both indoors and out. For more on items like outdoor fountains, decorative planters, patio furniture, or a modern gas fire pit, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

I went looking for folding patio furniture and other options for patio furniture to see what would fit my budget and my requirements. This is what I liked:

I loved this Brown Caravan Canopy Oversize Zero Gravity Chair, that folds out to accommodate the legs and reclines (if you are in the mood for a snooze). Armrests and a steel frame make it a strong as well as comfortable option.  And this one is XL size for extra comfort; a good deal for 82 dollars I thought.

I am a sucker for rocking chairs and the only thing better than a rocking chair that I can think of is a folding rocking chair. This way I have the option of using it indoors, say for nodding off in front of the TV, or using it when out for a camping trip or outdoor events that I fancy I shall go for one day. Anyway, this  Prime Products 13-6506 Elite Arizona Tan Rocker Folding Chair appealed to me. It is simple and has uncluttered lines, and user reviews are generally positive. And when it costs just 55 dollars I think there is really no reason to pass up on what seems to be a good deal!

A small peg table to go with whatever type of seating you fancy, is a good idea (you do need to set down your long tall cool one somewhere). This simple cape cod folding beach table appealed to me because it is made from weather resistant hardwood that can take rough use and it is easy to carry.

If you want to splurge a bit and get a matched set of folding furniture for your patio you may want to consider this rectangular dining table with a set of matched chairs along with it. The table is drop leaf so it expands and contracts as per your requirements. And it also has a hole in the center if you want to put your garden umbrella in there. The chairs stack for convenient space saving.

Here are some green décor ideas for your dining space-

• Opt for a dining room table as well as dining room chairs that is made from sustainable raw materials that are responsibly grown and sourced leaving as little a negative environmental impact as possible.
• Make sure there is plenty of natural light in the room. This is not just so that the room looks airy, light and attractive, it is also an energy saving device. Having natural light in the room means that you don’t need to switch on the lights during the day. So try and have plenty of glass pane windows, if possible install a sky light and make sure that your dining area has plenty of natural light. This will mean plenty of savings in terms of energy used and a smaller carbon footprint for you and you needs.
• Also rather than using elaborate overhead lighting, opt for several focus lamps or other smaller lighting options can be used in accordance with your requirement rather than expending a lot of energy all at the same time.
• Go minimalist with your dining room furniture. Use spare designs that use less amount of wood, opt for a glass topped table that uses little, if any, wood. Also consider if you really need a hutch, a corner cabinet as well as server or sideboard. It could be that you need just one or other of these items of dining furniture and not all. Also having all of these items in a small dining area could make it appear crowded and even obstruct natural light.
• Use eco friendly materials on the walls. Rather than wall paper opt for paint and pick paint that is made in a responsible and eco friendly manner using non toxic raw materials. Paint can be cheaper than wall paper and you can also use it to great effect – lighter colors give the illusion of space and increase the amount of natural light reflected by the room.
• Include a mirror of a large size in your dining space if possible. Not only does this give the illusion of a bigger space, it also reflects light better.
• The colors that you look at while you eat can also determine how well you eat and digest your food. So try and use a little color therapy – yellow can make you feel cheerful and make for a convivial dining experience, for instance.
• Insulate well. Proper insulation is important not just for the dining area but for the entire house so that you make significant savings in terms of energy expended on heating and cooling.

The Glamorous Dining Area – Here the accent should be on style, elegance and class with a touch of formal grace. A more formal sort of dining set, large in size and proportions, perhaps a slightly grander eight seater dining set rather than the classic 6 seater would work well to create a glamorous ambience. A formal, elaborate centerpiece could set the tone, and a large, elongated chandelier would not be out of place here. A touch of gold, framed paintings, elegant tiling and exquisite crockery and crystalware would set the glamorous tone.

The Modern Dining Area – This could be as minimalistic and futuristic as you may want it to be. Modern metallic light fixtures can set the tone for the entire dining area. A round glass topped table and perhaps some steel banded dining chairs and interesting added textures to the room will convey the impression of modernity and functionality. A glass screen will match with the table and a décor element such as a modern water fountain can add to the ambience.  Imagine now if you will, an urbane setting with likeminded close friends getting together over a great meal in a modern and up to date space, comfortable and at ease in an area that is both attractive and appropriate.

The Traditional Dining Area – You can’t go wrong with a traditional or formal dining room, it is something that remains a timeless classic that will never look out of date. Formal upholstered chairs, a traditional dining table with a formal center piece, with creamy walls and a traditional wood floor can set the tone, around which the rest can be designed. An old fashioned or antique chandelier, prints of classic paintings of still life paintings, antique chinaware, exquisite crystal ware, can add to this. An arched entry way, formal corner cabinets and a traditional hutch can complete the picture for the formal dining set.

The Transitional Dining Area – The transitional dining room is one which draws on a mixture of the traditional and the contemporary. While there is a degree of the ornate here, the area should not be formal and should be tempered with some of the more modern design principles. With transitional dining furniture, you aim for attractive and relaxed, with a touch or flourish here and there. You can mix and match – modern lighting with a traditional dining set, or contemporary dining furniture with traditional flooring and wall colors or even an old fashioned wall paper. This sort of dining room gives you more flexibility and freedom to create your own dining space as per your liking and requirement.

So choose your style and create your own distinct ambience.

Now I like to keep a nice garden and would like it if my neighbor did the same. So for rather selfish reasons, I thought a garden gift basket such as this one would be a good idea. It includes a hand painted metal planter, a pair of cotton gardening gloves, Banana Boat sunscreen, and assortment of flower seed packets, a stainless steel spade and trowel, and key lime cookies. Not bad for $57 and free shipping.

As people move into a new house, they typically take time to settle in, set up a kitchen and get a regular cooking routine going. So in the meanwhile, a Snacker’s Delight Gift Basket such as this one can be a great and thoughtful idea, to give new neighbors something to munch and snack on as they settle into their new home. This $30 collection includes Feel Good Snack Mix, Cheddar Cheese Straws, Smoked Almonds, Imperial Tea Biscuits, Tropical Real Fruit Snack, Cheese Lover’s Pub Mix, Creme de Pirouline Cookies, a tin of Mixed Fruit Candies, Walkers Shortbread Fingers and Godiva Milk Chocolate Pearls.

For the health conscious giver/receiver of housewarming gifts, a Fruit Gift Basket such as this one would be ideal. This California Signature Fruit Gift Box includes a dozen different fruit, including apples, oranges, Mango and Kiwis.

Another food basket that I particularly liked the look and contents of is this Cutting Board, Meat and Cheese hamper, which includes a cheese spreader, plus Beef Salami, Camembert Cheese Spread, Gourmet Mustard, Toasted Sesame Crackers, California Herb Crunchies, and Torani Biscotti for dessert as well as a cutting board measuring about 12 by 8 inches.

I also liked this Home Cookie Gift Box, that works well for a housewarming gift because of its theme packaging and assorted cookies, in my view, always make for a great gift.   

So go ahead and say Welcome to the Neighborhood in any way you choose! 

Intex Recreation Slide’N Fun Play Center, Age 6+ with Shelf Box from Amazon is your basic pool that is compact but can fit at least two people in it – it has to levels and a small slide – and since this one is inflatable it comes with a repair patch as well. You can stow it away in its shelf box when not in use. Good deal for $44.

The Banzai Typhoon Twist Water Slide is an altogether more elaborate affair with a big splash pool and a good sized curving slide. Good fun item that can keep kids busy for hours and big enough to let you cool off yourself if you fancy a soak. Currently available from Next Tag at the discount of 33%, down to $400 from $600.

The Double Canon blast Slide is another fun item – this one also has a nice long slide and climbing apparatus on the side to let kids get to the top and slide down again. It is puncture resistant and is made with heavy duty Dura-Tech construction for maximum durability. It also includes continuous airflow blower and looks like a good deal for $389.

For those of us who are lucky enough to have an actual real pool there are many options available for water slides that don’t include a splash pool, such as this Intex Water slide that can be situated in such a way as to abut the pool so that kids that slide off it directly into the pool. The slide has an inflatable seat on one side and climbing apparatus on the other for easy access to the top of the slide. Rather a good deal for 85 bucks I thought.

And if you want to look at more deals on water slides, portable as well as the sort that are added to a proper pool, you may want to take a look at the Next Tag Water Slide and Pool page for more options and price comparisons.

Here I found available hand painted Oil Painting Replicas of Art masterpieces.  They claim to send you an image of your original hand painted, reproduction oil painting to approve BEFORE they ship it to you showing every detail of the original oil Painting. So you can have yourself an actual painted Sunflowers, by Van Gogh, probably one of the most famous paintings in the world hanging on your wall for the price of $74.80. Or perhaps you may like Monet, the way I do and want this classic painting such as the one pictured here hanging on the wall.

Here they are currently offering site wide free shipping plus a 10% discount for all kinds of art, which you may want to check.

And if you think fine art is too high brow for you perhaps some sophisticated poster prints may be just the thing for you, such as this Dancing print. Down from $115 this one is available at a 30% discount at $79.99.  I also liked this James Guthrie pastoral print which is down from $118 and available to you at the discount of 32%.

I also liked this print, not just for the celebratory subject but also for the bright color of the piece that would brighten up any nook. Available for just $39.99, it is available at a 54% discount right now.

And just in case you are thinking of turning artist yourself, you may want to try out this site for all kinds of art supplies. There were some quite interesting things on their clearance page which you may want to check out.

At this online tea store I found some lovely tea gift sets, including samplers of different kinds of tea: green, white, black etc., and tea hampers that include a unique tea pot that strains tea for you.

This gourmet green tea set I found very interesting. It includes a 16 oz. tea pot and 4 1 oz sample tins of citron green, hojicha, green pekoe & white monkey gourmet green teas. As for the tea pot, when tea is ready, simply place it atop your cup. This will cause a valve at the bottom to release: clear tea flows down, while the mesh filter retains all the leaves. Easy to clean and dishwasher safe too. For $19 it is a good deal I thought.

This tea chest with an assortment of some 80 teas, I especially liked because it is available for a discount: $24.99 down from 56.99. These are kosher, Made in Israel teas which include 10 Nana (mint) teas, 10 Lemon teas, 10 Cherry teas, 10 Raspberry teas, 10 English Breakfast teas, 10 Earl Grey teas, 10 Chamomile teas and 10 Wild berry Nectar teas. And it comes in this rather smart looking wooden chest too.

This Ceylon tea chest in faux leather is also on sale down from 59.99 to just $19.99. Includes 108 teas, such as English Breakfast, Strawberry, Raspberry, Earl Grey, Apple Cinnamon, Cranberry, Ginger, Orange Spice, Tropical Delight, Peppermint, Lemon Spice, Green Tea etc.

They say iced tea retains its health benefits when it is brewed and then chilled, so I liked this sample pack of flavored teas.  The set includes 4 packets each of China Mist Traditional, Fiesta Fria, Mango, Passion Fruit, Raspberry and Blackberry Jasmine Green for you to fresh-brew at home. For $30, this was an interesting set I thought.

So go have yourself a tea party.

]]> http://www.greatpriceshere.com/2009/03/24/tea-a-gift-of-warmth/feed/ 8 http://www.greatpriceshere.com/2009/01/26/home-accents-ideas-and-deals/ http://www.greatpriceshere.com/2009/01/26/home-accents-ideas-and-deals/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:30:49 +0000 Nicole Price http://www.greatpriceshere.com/?p=268 Pieces of furniture, wall colors etc ., even if not very remarkable, can be offset by a few individual and even quirky touches here and there to make a interesting and unusual whole. A few interesting home accents can enhance your home by making it unique and giving it your own personal stamp. A little wall art here a whimsical garden ornament there, can do a lot to give your home character.

I think it is a great idea to have some greenery inside the home or perhaps on the porch, for this it is a good idea to get a matched set of planters, such as this one here; a metal planter set of three for just $50. I also liked this set of two planters, tall and elegant for $79.

As for what to put in the planters you could use real plants or use dried items such as these dried natural sun palm leaves, which are available at the discounted price of $5.99. This site I thought has a great collection of interesting, unique and unusual home accent décor ideas. Certainly worth a look, or two or three!

I had the idea that one could use a couple of the planters for actual plants and use the smallest one as a fragrant potpourri bowl! Potpourri is always a lovely thing to have in the drawing room, pretty, fragrant and low maintenance. Or here, you can take a look at the dried flowers such as these Freeze Dried Rose Petal Blends.

Now distinctive wall art is an excellent way to add a touch of the unusual to the living room area or the main area where you entertain guests. I thought this stained glass and vase bowl and metal wall art was both interesting and artistic looking, and I thought not too expensive at $59.99.

This garden ornament is both quirky and environment friendly, since it is lit by a solar panel and does not require any electricity. It is available for just $39.97, down from $109.99, or a whopping 63% discount.

I hope some of my readers got a couple of nice ideas from this post. My mind is swimming with ideas right now!

This bedroom set includes a queen size contemporary bed, a dresser with mirror and a chest of drawers that is admittedly very steep at upward of $5000, but they do offer a hefty $1,176 discount, so that it is yours for $3,918. Yes I know, still not cheap; but if you are looking to make a life time investment in your furniture, then this is the sort of thing that you may just want to consider.

Another item that I liked very much on this site is this sliding love seat. Again, not cheap (retail price $1139 and available for the discounted prices of $876) but it is a beautiful and unusual piece of furniture, I can just envision long, cozy, intimate hours spent on the love seat with my significant other, perhaps having a drink, perhaps curled up with a good movie; perhaps just having a chat about this that and the other!

They also have a lot of very beautiful dining sets, including not just dining tables and chairs, but also others items like side boards, hutches, servers, etc. in all the different styles that the Amish are so famous for: Quaker, Shaker, Mission, Victoria etc., all again very expensive, but at a one third discount these may just fit into one’s budget.

I love beautiful linen and bedroom accessories; so I found one more interesting thing on the site: if you make a purchase of above $500, you automatically entitle yourself to a $100 discount on quilts from here. Expensive stuff, no doubt, but beautiful, if you are of a mind to be extravagant!