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2. Get a blueprint of the services that run into your property. Find out where the waterpipes and sewerage are laid. So when you start digging you will know what to expect.
3. Design the shape of your garden using a garden hose to define the edges and paths.
4. Australian gardens often have a lot of light. In an open area you can plan for taller trees to create shade and dim the bright light, but in confined areas you might want to perserve the light with shorter plants.
5. Take a look at where the healthiest weeds are growing, it can give you a clue as to where the best soil and drainage are.
6. Make a note of where you neighbours entertain. You can then plan your sitting spots as not right next to their entertainment areas, and where to plant some privacy screenings.
7. Get an old chair and try sitting in it in different places during the day. You may be a morning person and read the paper in the garden, so find the best spot for that. When you find it, mark it on your plan. You might also find the perfect spot for your Adirondack chair!
]]>Pink Chair-ity chairs at Federation Square in Spice News
Jane Sinclair in the Hobson Bay Weekly
Sonya Kretschmar in the Monash Weekly
Alex Fevola in the Melbourne Observer (go to page 4)
Jamie Daddo's chair in Giftguide
Jamie Daddo's chair in Cream Magazine
In 1905, Harry C. Bunnell of Westport, New York, received a patent for a chair suitable for use on porches, lawns and at camps, and to be durable enough to be exposed to the elements. It had broad arms and its seat and back — each built of a single piece of wood — were slanted.
Thus was born the first Westport chair.
Wesport is located on Lake Champlain, about 120 kilometres south of Montreal, in New York state. And if you look way off to the west, you’ll be able to see the Adirondack Mountains. In those mountains, there was a convalescent home for tuberculosis patients, where caregivers figured the chairs would be perfect for guests to sit out on and enjoy the recuperative powers of the fresh mountain air.
Thus the term “Adirondack chair” was born.
Soon, the chair design found it's way over to Canada and the term "Muskoka chair" was born, after the name of the quintessential cottage district.
What’s the difference between a Cape Cod, Muskoka, Westernport and an Adirondack? The simple answer is: Nothing.
If you fancy building your own Adirondack chair, then check out these plans:
Lowe’s Let’s Build Something Together: Excellent video instuction for each stage of construction.
Popular Mechanics: Includes 3D images and master level blueprints.
Build Easy: This one is made using mostly fencing material.
Adionrack Plans: This site includes 20 free Adirondack chair plans in a variety of styles.
Here are just some of the things you can see and do, which are just a stroll from us.
Grant’s Picnic Ground: If you want to get away from suburbia and enjoy our lovely countryside, you could visit Grant’s Picnic Ground, where you can hand-feed sulphur-crested cockatoos and rosellas. There is a cafe, walking tracks and lots of photo opportunities. Distance from The Porch: 500 metres.
Kallista Village Market: On the first Saturday of each month, Kallista holds a village market focusing on organic, hand-made art and craft.
Distance from The Porch: out the back gate and across the main road.
Kallista Tea Rooms: The Kallista Tea Rooms are located in a gorgeous 1930s art-deco building. You can sit inside the circular tearooms and have beautiful Devonshire tea while watching the birds that visit from feeders located just outside the windows. Distance from the Porch: 500m
George Tindale Gardens: This public garden houses a unique collection of exotic plants set beneath a canopy of large mountain ash. It is a great place to have a picnic on the lawn, or just to wander through the meandering paths. Distance from The Porch: 300m (but you’ll need to drive as it is a very steep hill to get there!)
With four simple steps you can keep your outdoor wooden furniture looking great for many years:
1. Re-oil stained furniture every six months: Oiled furniture needs to be re-oiled every six months to keep them in optimum condition. The oil helps to prevent decay and fading, which can occur if exposed to harsh weather environments. Your local home and garden store will have many options from which to choose.
2. Clean once a year: Painted and oiled wood furniture should also be cleaned once a year. Mix one tablespoon of bleach, five tablespoons of a gentle dishwashing liquid and a 3 litres of water, and softly rub the surface of your wood furniture with a soft bristle brush. Wash the solution from the furniture, and allow it to dry completely in the sun.
3. Re-paint painted furniture every few years: Just like your house weatherboards, your painted outdoor furniture will benefit and be protected by a lick of paint every couple of years. The new paint will not only make the furntirue look fresh, it also re-protects the underlying wood.
4. Cover or re-position: All woods are susceptible to rot and decay if left in damp, humid and shady areas for a long time. Wood that becomes saturated with rain water is more likely to warp and rot, so using waterproof protective covers when your furniture is not undercover will keep your wooden furniture in good shape. The bases of furniture legs are definitely the most susceptible when it comes to water damage. If wood furniture is kept on the grass, or on a surface that collects rain water, the legs can become saturated. Covering the bottoms of each furniture leg with rubberised material or small sections of cedar fencing material will help protect your furniture from rotting from the bottom up.
Properly maintaining your outdoor wood furniture can make it last for many years and maximise your investment. Outdoor wood furniture makes a charming addition to any backyard, deck, patio, or garden, and with care, it will continue to make a great impression for years to come.
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So, when considering which chair to buy, take a look at our Eco White chair, made from genuine HDPE lumber.
]]>Many folding Adirondack chairs sold elsewhere are flat across the back rather than have the curve which we prefer for comfort. A curved back means that you can sit back in comfort without a cushion.
Folding Adirondack chairs are mostly made lighter so that they can be lifted easily. This can make them unstable.
The paint finish can also be an issue for folding chairs as the legs of the chair are rubbed against in the folding action.
Our Adirondack chairs have been designed to withstand the elements, so there is no need to bring them in 'under cover'. We use an acrylic paint similar to the paint on the outside of your house, with the same durability. The wood is a hardwood so not likely to split and warp. So, if you want a chair without compromises then the non-folding Adirondack chair is the right choice.
In the meantime, we will keep working on making a folding Adirondack chair that doesn't compromise design, comfort and durability.
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