OUTDOOR FIREPLACES, CHIMINEAS AND FIRE PITS!
Last night I was watching the movie Coming to America. All of my windows were open because it was sweltering outside and the A/C was on the fritz. Suddenly on screen, there was Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall standing on a cold snowy street full of traffic. It was one of those scenes that instantly evoke the dead of Winter when the holidays are over and April flowers are months away. “Ugh,” I thought. “This will be my world in a couple of months.”
Avert your eyes if this street scares you.
As I was contemplating the dreariness of February and the stone cold lump it put into my gut, I started to think of how I could prolong a positive outdoor experience despite the cold. Outdoor fireplaces, my friends! And who, but the Norwiegans, could bring us the ultimate winter comfort? Check this puppy out.
Haugen/Zohar Outdoor Fireplace
Haugen/Zohar from Norway brought together an invited team of designers and architects to create an enclosed space for fire, storytelling and playing made entirely out of leftover materials from a nearby construction site. It may be a bit of overkill since my backyard is too small for this thing, but I am so there. I want to draw a little picture of myself sitting in this.
OTHER OUTDOOR FIREPLACES
This fireplace pictured here would fit in well with a traditional Prairie or Arts & Crafts home.
Luxurious Outdoor fireplace from Simon Design Group in Redwood, California
This design by ModFire is called Bonfire, their largest model at seven feet tall and runs on propane or natural gas. The Bonfire fits well into a contemporary design setting or adds a contemporary flair to any traditional backyard.
Bonfire by ModFire, $3,800 retail
CHIMINEA
Originally, all clay open fire garden heaters imported to the U.S. from Mexico were known as chimeneas. Mexican tribesman built these clay structures to keep warm and to cook and bake. My first experience with a chiminea was at my mother-in-law’s house where she kept one burning on her front lawn. She got the nickname “the witch of Robin Road” because she was seen stoking the chiminea’s flames every evening in the Summer and Fall months. I had given her that nickname years earlier for other reasons.
Prairie Chiminea on Amazon, $200
Solid Copper Chiminea Combo from Home Depot $299
Pinion wood is the best wood to burn in a chiminea. The smoke gives off a woodsy pine scent and it keeps the bugs away.
MAKE YOUR OWN
Ocean Dreamers Jewelry came up with this do-it-yourself fire pit. It looks great and it’s a wonderful space for hanging out with friends in the evening.
Do-It-Yourself fire pit
Firepitsource.com gives you a step-by-step guide on how to build your very own fire pit. It doesn’t look that difficult so c’mon, get out your shovels!
WIN A $75 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO HOME DEPOT
To get yourself ready to laugh in the face of the impending cold months, Crane USA is offering the readers of Cranedesignforbetterliving.com a chance to win a $75 gift certificate to Home Depot where you can get your own chiminea or purchase stones to make your own fire pit. Or, get whatever warms your heart. Details of the giveaway are below. Just log in with your email or Facebook and you will automatically be entered into the contest.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
