Saturday, March 8, 2014

Hiner Landscapes Mentions Warming Trends in Their Blog

Thanks to Hiner Landscapes out of Colorado Springs, Colorado for mentioning us in their blog.

They state that "The Warming Trends Crossfire System is a fully customizable, Eco-friendly alternative to the conventional wood burning fire pit or stainless steel fire ring."

Four Custom Burner Sizes

The couldnt be more right. Our Crossfire Burner IS fully customizable as we have built burning systems for clients ranging from half-moons, to paisley style burners, to 20 linear burners. To see a range of examples of different burners we have created, visit our Crossfire Burner Portfolio page here.

Semi-Circle Burner

Our CSA Design Certified (Crossfire) Combustion Burner System is the newest state of the art outdoor patio flame system. Our Burner System’s regulator was developed with a precise air to gas mixture ratio which produces a taller, brighter flame while using only half the fuel of conventional fire rings. This cutting edge technology has allowed our product to out perform all others on the market. This is what one of our clients had to say about our product:

"I was looking for a fire pit burner with automatic ignition system and after much research I decided to go with Warming Trends cross fire burners. I installed the unit after bleeding the gas line, turned on the switch and it worked perfect the first time my client and I were impressed. Thanks Warming Trends for a great product."

Aztec Restoration & Remodel, Albuquerque NM.

Custom Eyeball

So when you are in the market for a fantastic natural gas or propane outdoor burning system, please visit us online, or call today. 1-877-556-5255.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Wollemi Pine

Wollemia

The Wollemia is a genus ( tribe ) of coniferous trees consisting of a single species - Wollemia nobilis. This is one of the oldest trees on earth, it has been around for over 200 million years ( the Triassic Period ). It was presumed extinct for over 2 million years when it was discovered in 1994. This is one of the most exiting and suprising of all discoveries. It looks very much like some of the related Araucarias which are also "Green Dinosaurs".
A large, very rare, majestic coniferous tree native to deep gorges of Wollemi National Park, in the Blue Mountains, 150 miles northwest of Sydney in Australia. It reaches up to 100 feet, though on ideal sites much larger to 133 x 80 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. It is moderate growing ( average 20 inches per year ) with its yearly growth lasting 2 months in the spring, some records include: 3 years - 5 feet; 7 years - 10 feet; 50 years - 66 feet; 100 years - 100 feet.
This tree responds well to fertilizer. Its estimated lifespan is 1000 years.
This tree does not have much genetic variability and no cultivars occur.
The Wollemi Pine can produce stems from the base.
The juvenile foliage is fernlike, waxy and deep green. The adult foliage is also deep green but is narrow, stiff and long.
Both male and female flowers are borne on the same tree, are small and borne at the ends of the branches.
Grows best in rich, moist, acidic ( PH 4 to 6 ), well drained soil in partial shade. It is very heat tolerant and can tolerate as high as 113 F.
Rated as hardy zones 8 to 10 tolerating as low as 10 F; it may actually be much hardier than its restricted natural range suggest, with claims of even zones 5b. More testing of this tree is needed. It is one of the worlds rarest trees, its introduction into the landscape trade is its savior from extinction.
Propagation is from seed, cuttings and tissue culture.
Almost extinct in the wild, there is an international effort to build up numbers of this tree. This tree yields Taxol, an anti-cancer drug. It is very likely to be grown as a commercial crop in the future however is also an excellent, very stunning landscape tree. One of my favorite trees for sure, really looking forward to seeing more in the future.

* photos taken on 4th of July 2010 in Washington, D.C.

* photos taken on May 5 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* excellent video found on Youtube

Agathis atropurpurea
A huge tree native to northern Queensland where it is endangered.
The leaves are up to 2 inches in length.
Some records include: largest on record - 200 feet
Hardy zones

Agathis australia
A fast growing, majestic tree native to New Zealand.
Some records include: 20 years - 47 x 23 feet; largest on record - 308 x 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 23 feet ( estimated, such trees no longer exist due to forest destruction ); longest lived - 4000 years ( est. ). It has been planted in Athens, Georgia and trees have exceeded 50 feet in Cork, Island.
Hardy zones 9 to 12 tolerating as low as 12 F

Agathis brownii
Some records include: 32 years - 67 feet; largest on record -
Hardy zones

Agathis dammeri
Some records include: largest on record - 200 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.5 feet.
The leaves are up to 5 x 2 inches.
Hardy zones 10 to 12

Agathis labillarderi
A huge tree native to elevations of 600 to 6000 feet in New Guinea.
Some records include: largest on record - 200 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 feet
The leaves are up to 4 x 1 inches.
The bark is dark brown.
Hardy zones 9 to 11

Agathis macrophylla
Also called Agathis vitiensis. Some records include: largest on record - 150 x 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet.
The leaves are up to 7 x 2 inches.
Hardy zones 9 to 12

Agathis microstachys ( Atherton Kauri )
A very large tree native to northern Queensland.
Some records include: 16 years - 36 feet; largest on record - 170 feet with a trunk diameter of 9 feet.
The leaves are up to 3 inches in length.
The bark is brownish-gray.
Hardy zones 9 to 11

Agathis palmerstonii
Some records include: 20 years - 52 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 inches; largest on record - feet with a trunk diameter of feet
Hardy zones 9 to 11

Agathis phillipensis
Some records include: largest on record - 220 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet
Hardy zones 11 to 12

Agathis robusta ( Queensland Kauri )
Some records include: 3 years - 17 x 10 feet; 15 years - 75 feet with a trunk diameter of 11 inches; 100 years - 102 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet; 300 years - 200 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet; largest on record - 200 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 20 feet.
Trees have already exceeded 100 feet in Los Angeles, California & reached 40 feet in Cornwall, England.
The leaves are up to 6 x 4 inches.
Hardy zones 9 to 12 tolerating as low as 15 F

subsp. nesophila
Almost identical but native to the mountains of New Guinea.

ETYMOLOGY IN THE GARDEN

a google search for "lot" yielded this..

a google search for "yard" yielded this..

a google search for "garden" returned this..

As an American overseas, if I’ve heard this once, I’ve heard this ten times in the U.K… why do Americans refer to their outdoor planted spaces as yards? Aren’t yards where cars are put up on blocks? Where railcars are stored?

Paul Groth writes in “The Meaning of Gardens”, “What does it mean that Americans chose to call their arrangements of cars parked outdoors as lots? Why not carparks as in Canada and the U.K. Why have we overtly fashioned no parking gardens, or at least parking yards? Three of these terms – lot, yard and garden –denote a simple but important hierarchy in the way Americans organize their space.”

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, here are the first seven definitions for the word "YARD":

1: a small, usually walled and often paved area open to the sky and adjacent to a building : a court

2: the grounds of a building or group of buildings

3: the grounds immediately surrounding a house that are usually covered with grass

4 : an enclosure for livestock (as poultry)

5: an area with its buildings and facilities set aside for a particular business or activity

6: an assembly or storage area (as for dry-docked boats)

7: a system of tracks for storage and maintenance of cars and making up trains

8: a locality in a forest where deer herd in winter

On Wiktionary… a yard is a small, usually uncultivated area adjoining or (now especially) within the precincts of a house or other building, An enclosed area designated for a specific purpose, e.g. on farms, railways etc. In Jamaica, it is vernacular for “one’s house or home.

Lot stands as one of the oldest words for a division of land. Yard denotes more enclosure, or an area for special work, business or storage. Or, lack of attention as in “open lot” and “vacant lot”. Groth associates the notion of “yard” with barns, prisons, ships, etc. In fact, the word harkens back to the 12^th century middle English as a word for enclosure.

In terms of organizing open space design, there is a hierarchy of meaning within “lot,” “yard,” and “garden.” Lot is commonly used in real estate terms, historically it equates to a division of land. This is an enclosure.“We define lots or yards by their edges and their neighboring spaces; lots and yards hold something else. The garden is defined by what is in it. Its immediate meaning derives largely from itself and its contents.”

There is also a hierarchy of care, cultivation and pleasure among these three words. “The word ‘yard’ implies more value than something called a ‘lot’; in turn, the word ‘garden’ suggests something treasured.”

Gardens provide delight and amusement. Its contents are aesthetically pleasing and it is not defined by it’s edges, but rather by it’s contents. The term “pleasure garden” never referred to a yard or lot. Henceforth, lets turn yards into gardens.

The Meaning of Gardens: Francis and Hester
MIT Press, 1990

Photos: lot/NYTimes, yard/sgvtribune.com, garden/lowcrapdiet.com

backyard landscaping idea

backyard landscaping idea

There are so many methods to spruce up your property nowadays. In case you havent by now noticed, numerous residential property owners are always browsing high and low pertaining to interior decorating suggestions, as well as backyard landscaping ideas. Something that will make their own humble home look more inviting and appealing is desired. Furthermore, you need to be able to make your property your home. It takes all of those trendy little information and custom remaking that mirror your character and tastes. Fortunately you wont need to look significantly to get a number of backyard landscaping ideas these days. There are lots of ideas furnished n tv programs, as well as on the internet.

A few sites that are guaranteed to assist you with backyard landscaping ideas are usually Unique-Landscapes.com, Absent.com, and also hgtv.com. It is just a good idea to check on all of these out and about and start idea a bit. Think about your part of property. What size is your lawn and precisely what all must you work with? Perhaps you have had toyed with the thought of putting a water fall or event gazebo out rear. You can obtain all sorts of tools and items at community home improvement stores. All things considered, you may need a selection of materials similar to bricks, gemstones, pebbles, grass, mulch, crops, and even timber to get started. Once youve an idea in your mind, you can gone with it.

There genuinely is no restrict to what that can be done with your garden space. If youre able to dream it down, you can most likely make it happen. Even so, you need to take into account your budget. Simply how much are you in fact willing to devote? You may have to think about both the price of materials, and also the cost of work. If you plan on getting someone else, for instance a professional landscaper, appear in and accomplish all of the operate, this can truly add up to lots of money fast. And that means you should obtain quotes coming from a few diverse landscaping professionals when you actually proceed with virtually any backyard landscaping ideas. This will help you spend less.

Consider taking on the backyard landscaping intentions of your own. Using this method you only need to panic about the cost of materials. Although thick mulch, rock small stones, and event gazebo materials cost some money, it is just a lot less expensive to only purchase for them, and not have to cope with the cost of work. There is nothing much better than making your property the home you need to live in. So that you should really check out any backyard landscaping ideas in store. Once you build your own tiny private retreat, you will be considerably more satisfied with your abode general. You should also bear in mind resale price, which will increase if you landscaping the backyard nicely.


backyard landscaping idea pictures


backyard landscaping idea photos

small backyard landscaping idea

INTERIOR OF THE KIDS ROOM

FOR CHILDREN WITH LOVE AND ATTENTION

Shaping the interior of the nursery is a heavy responsibility for all of us adults. We need to make decisions instead of the small people whose ideology is very different from ours.

Interior of the nursery room

A big mistake would be to trust only their own views on how we look nursery. Great suggestions all have furniture stores, but it is still necessary to take into account the views of children.

It is true that sometimes their choices are not cost us very practical - like almost all children and frequently changed their mind, but mostly do not think as adults in the future. That is why, although the choice of color and form, it takes time and parental nerves there factors that should not neglect to avoid common mistakes in interior solutions for the nursery.

Interior of the nursery room

Mobility and freedom of space

To be a childs room a cozy, its size is of paramount importance, but rather what kind of furniture is furnished.

In addition to stylish and functional, they need to motivate children to develop their creative abilities. Many positive effects have mobile and easily changing their position furniture - these qualities stimulate childrens imagination to change the interior, which is a good basis for developing a creative approach to establishing the setting for different games. And children like change, and the right to choose.

Interior of a childrens nursery room

Safety

The furniture should be environmentally friendly, the best wood, with no sharp edges and protruding parts that can injure children.

Color solutions

At home the child is based on active learning in kindergarten or school, so it needs room to create an atmosphere that can calm and controlled his undying energy. Psychologists are advised to use warm and bright colors - shades of yellow, pink, green and pale blue.

Accessibility

If you want your child to be alone, so try to put objects in his room that he has access to everything.

Order or chaos

When the abundance of toys reach a critical point, it becomes

Also check out:
Soft linen for sweet dreams
Interior color of chocolate
Lighting in the interior
Glass in the interior
Create your own unique look and in the kitchen

Wey and Arun Canal project stage 1

The first semester of this year we undertook a project focused around the Wey and Arun Canal and its regeneration.

The brief challenged us to develop proposals to enhance a particular area of the Canal (that is planned to run from near Guildford, Surrey to the town of Littlehampton on the south coast of England).

I explored the possibilities of enhancing opportunities physical recreation on the canal. Having spent 5 days living on Canal boats, we came across many canoists and kayakers. it was this group i opted to tailor my proposal for.

The images above are of my proposal. The top one being a 1:100 section and the bottom one being a scale model I made (with inhabitants added on illustrator)

Velo Park 2012

The NLA are currently exhibiting design proposals for a Velo Park to stage the cycle events of the 2012 para-olympics and olympics. The Velo drome alos needed to remain a hub of cycle based activity after the games

A selection of models were on display as were drawings in perspective, plan, section and elevation. Some of the models where more impressive than others in there aesthetic quality and ability to convey the design effectively. The Drawings served as excellent examples to aspire to.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Poliothyrsis Pearl Bloom Tree

The Pearlbloom Tree is a native to central China and is very fast growing ( up to 7 feet in a year when young ). It can reach 70 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet and have a wide spreading crown when mature. It looks like a Balsam Poplar when young and like a Catalpa when old. Its bark is light brown or beige and furrowed.
The leaves grow to 9 x 5 inches and are broadly ovate, tooth edged with hairy undersides and are reddish in spring, mid green in summer and turn anywhere from yellow to burgundy in the fall.
The flowers borne on terminal panicles, up to 12 inches in length, are white. Only female trees produce seed.
The Pearlbloom Tree grows well in rich, moist well drained soil in sun or part shade. Train to a central leader when young and gradually limb up. Preferring hot humid summers; it is easy to grow in the Mid Atlantic and is hardy from zones 6 - 9 ( reports of 5 though not fully tested ).

* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photos taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photos taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Ready to Finish Custom Eyeball Fire Pit Frame with Oak Steel Log Kit

This ready to finish, custom eyeball fire pit frame puts a nice spin on traditional fire pit design. Its oblique design offers a contemporary feel and look to your backyard or restaurant patio. The curvature of the lines remind us of Antoni Gaudis architecture of Barcelona. No straight lines ever appeared in his structures, only the natural curved lines of nature.

Visitors on the roof of Casa Mila

As you can see by the above example, Gaudi uses the natural lines of nature in his work and so do we.

These fire pit frames are ready to be finished off with stone, brick, concrete or stucco, whatever your heart desires. Professional masons or contractors are usually hired to finish these fire pits as you can see in the paisley example below of another fire pit we created using the natural lines of nature:

Custom Paisley Fire Pit

Here are a couple more angles of the eyeball fire pit:

On another topic, we custom build and weld our Oak Steel Log kits right here on site. Based on the dimensions required for your fire pit, if you can dream it up, we can build it (this goes for our burners and frames as well).

These logs are another contemporary alternative to traditional concrete fire pit logs as they are modern looking, resistant to in-climate weather and are durable (this means drunk morons cant break or steal them, you can bolt them down to the pan). Check them out burning in action during testing.

Not only do we build custom fire pit frames, but we custom build our crossfire burner systems as well. Check out some more examples of custom fire pit frames here, and custom crossfire burners here.

So when you are in the market for a custom fire pit, please visit us online or call today. 1-877-556-5255.