Belgard Hardscapes Showcased in Southern Living Show Homes across the South in 2014

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Outdoor Living By Belgard

Showcase homes and idea houses are sponsored by various magazines, builders, design professionals, organizations and manufacturers across the country to illustrate the top design trends in today’s custom homes. In 2014, Southern Living Magazine looked to Belgard Hardscapes to create stunning designer looks for a total of nine showcase homes across the south. Here is a taste from some of these stylish homes.

Southern Living Idea House – Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, SC)

clutter room

mud room

front walk

Belgard Aqua-Bric permeable pavers not only add character to the parking areas and walkways of this airy coastal-style home, they also filter pollutants from stormwater to help protect the three rivers that surround the development. In a separate and unique interior application, Lafitt Grana Slab added a rustic touch to the mudroom, powder room, and multi-purpose “clutter room” off of the home’s kitchen.

Creative Home Concepts Showcase Home – Hallsley (Midlothian, VA)

back porch

patio and fire pit

front walk and porch

The hand-cobbled appearance of Bergerac pavers provided the perfect complement for the walkways and back patio of this English-style cottage, further enhanced by the rough-hewn texture of Celtik Wall on the fire pit and surrounding seat wall. Both the front and back porches were floored with the slate-like Lafitt Grana Slab in coordinating colors to add a contemporary touch.

Wayne Harbin Builder, Inc., Showcase Home – Ford’s Colony (Williamsburg, VA)

view from second floor

side view

The random flagstone appearance of Mega-Arbel pavers creates a striking look for the back patio and sunken fire pit of this colonial-style home. Mega-Bergerac provides the step ledge and complements the patio trim of smaller Bergerac pavers. Weston Stone provides the ledge fascia, fire pit and surrounding seat wall and end caps in a texture, laying pattern, and color scheme that coordinates with the home’s brick accents.

Warm Apple Pie Cocktail

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Outdoor Living By Belgard

Looking for ways to continue to enjoy the outdoors during the frigid winter months? Time to light the fire pit and snuggle up with a spicy, sweet, and savory beverage that will warm you from the inside out. This delicious beverage is like a slice of apple pie in a glass, but with a kick!

Yield: serves 6

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 qts. fresh unfiltered apple juice

3 cinnamon sticks (2 1/2 in. long)

12 whole cloves

6 whole allspice

1 1/2 cups spiced rum

Sweetened whipped cream

PREPARATION

Combine apple juice and whole spices in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let sit 30 minutes. To serve, reheat juice, then strain into heatproof mugs, dividing evenly. Add 1/4 cup rum to each and top with whipped cream.

recipe courtesy of Sunset Magazine. Photo: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Dan Becker

Join the Thousands Using
Belgard Style File

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Outdoor Living By Belgard

A few months ago, we launched the new Belgard website with a unique feature, the Belgard Style File. Since that time, over 12,000 Style Files have been created by more than 8,000 homeowners and contractors across the country.

How People are Benefiting from Belgard Style File
Style File allows you to collect, organize, and share ideas you love from the Belgard website. Web surfers can browse our image gallery, save photos for inspiration, explore styles and textures, and collaborate on projects with friends and professionals. Homeowners are using Style File to help with the planning, designing, and decision-making processes of outdoor living projects. At the same time, contractors and dealers are also using Style File to share design solution ideas and information with their customers.

How to Create Your Style File
If you haven’t already starting filing your ideas in your own Style File, simply click here to get started or click on the Style File icon (see image at right) in the upper right corner of any page on Belgard.com. Then select Sign Up and fill out a brief form (see image below). Select Get Started on the form to start collecting your ideas.

Once you’ve set up your Style File profile or have logged in, simply click on the Start a New File button to create a new file and begin organizing your favorite photos, products, and contractor information. As you browse the website, click on the plus sign on any photo to add it to one of your Style Files. At any time, you can print one of your Style Files or share them with others via email, Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook.

New Year, New Yard

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Outdoor Living By Belgard

Most New Year resolutions tend to be about changing, growing, and investing in oneself for the better. We look inside and outside of ourselves to decide what we need to let go of, what we need to add, and what we need to improve upon to make life better for both ourselves and those around us.

“New yard” resolutions should take the same direction. It’s time to take stock of what you’d like to accomplish this year. Whether your goals are to increase your curb appeal, improve drainage, or create a new outdoor entertaining area, the process can sometimes seem overwhelming at first. Take it one step at a time.

Get inspired.

Sometimes we get so accustomed to how our yard currently looks, we have trouble imagining it any other way. It’s time to get clicking.

Set concrete goals.

When investing in your yard, you want to get the most return on that investment, both while you live in the home and once you sell it. Know why you want to make these changes. What goals are you trying to accomplish? How can you improve your environment and your lifestyle in a meaningful way? Think both long term and short term. If you have a larger overall plan that you want to phase out over time, save yourself time, money, and headaches by putting the entire plan together now.

Get expert advise.

Develop a relationship with an Authorized Belgard Contractor in your area who can help you with your long-term plan and knows what will work and won’t work with regards to your goals. For projects that will be phased out, a qualified contractor can help you pre-plan critical preliminary work that you will need to have in place for a later project down the road.

Get started.

Depending on where you live, January may not be the best time to start digging in your yard. But, you can get started with some of the decision-making processes…choosing a contractor, working on a design, choosing pavers or retaining wall products, researching costs. Also talk to your Belgard Contractor about Belgard Preferred Payment, a same-as-cash payment program that allows you to spread payments over time on hardscapes, labor, and even additional items like furniture and appliances. Once your plan is in place, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when the time comes.

Outdoor Living Gift Guide

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Outdoor Living By Belgard

When it comes to gift ideas, let’s face it, some folks are tough to shop for. If you’re looking for some unique gift ideas for the outdoor living enthusiast, we’ve compiled some of our favorites for you.

Tabletop Butane Heater

Enjoy your outdoor living spaces during the colder months with this attractive portable heater that operates with removable butane cylinders. With 11,000 BTUs of warmth and a stylish bronze coating, it not only adds to the functionality of your outdoor living spaces during this time of year, it’s adds character, as well.

Countertop Brick Oven

Turn any countertop into a gourmet outdoor kitchen with this powerful, yet economical, brick oven. Available in either domed or pyramid styles in either bronze or silver vein, the countertop version of Belgard’s brick oven offers the flavor of wood-fired cooking with a small footprint and is available in classic wood-burning and hybrid wood/gas models.

S’mores Roasting Rack

No fireplace or fire pit? No problem! With this specialized roasting rack that includes marshmallow skewers and a graham cracker tray, you can make s’mores on a grill or in an oven. Ooey, gooey, melty goodness…either indoors or out.

Jalapeno Pepper Roaster

For those who like to kick it up a notch, this pepper roasting rack also works with either a grill or an oven and allows you to create simple, zesty appetizers by stuffing jalapenos with various types of cheeses or other savory ingredients.

Remote Control LED Candles

Light up the night with indoor/outdoor battery-operated candles, with the added convenience of a remote controller to turn them all on and off with ease. Mix and match various sizes and styles, including antique-style lanterns, to create an eclectic look.

Recipe of the Month:
Cranberry & Sweet Potato Bread

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Outdoor Living By Belgard

This month’s recipe is a healthy and delicious quick bread that will help you get a headstart on your New Year’s resolutions. Perfect for baking in either a traditional or brick oven, this dish works well as either a breakfast item or an after-dinner treat both before and after the holidays. Wrapped in cellophane with a twine bow, it also makes an excellent homemade gift for the neighbors.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 cup no-sugar-added canned mashed sweet potato

3/4 cup egg substitute

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 cup margarine, melted

1 cup chopped cranberries

Cooking spray

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

. . .

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine sweet potato, egg substitute, orange juice, and margarine in a bowl; add to dry ingredients. Stir just until moist. Fold in cranberries.

Spoon batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray; sprinkle almonds over batter. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Let cool completely on wire rack.

Outdoor Living by Belgard

Ideas, Tips & How-To's for Outdoor Entertaining