At the International Builders Show, Solair’s Rett Haigler spoke with Tree Living about the environmental benefits of a Solair awning. Check out the video below to learn how a Solair awning can help you reduce your energy bill and protect your sun-baked deck or patio.
With a Solair awning, you will find endless possibilities for entertaining outdoors. Whether it is a big neighborhood gathering, a small pool party, or family time with the kids, a Solair awning will help to protect your guests and and your family from the harsh rays of the sun.
Check out how this Solair owner uses their new outdoor living space!
Whether entertaining, or enjoying a quiet day in your outdoor living space, a Solair awning allows you to make the most of the weather. On a hot day, fully extend the awning to create the most shade. Are some of your guests sunbathers? Create some shade with the awning partially extended, while leaving shade for those who want to bask in the sun.
See how varying the extension of your awning can make a huge impact on the amount of Sun on your deck or patio.
Solair makes operating your awning a breeze. Motorized awnings can come with a remote, so controlling the weather is literally at the tip of your fingers. Worried about a storm coming through unexpectedly? Choose to have a wind sensor added to your Solair awning, and the awning will automatically retract when damaging winds are detected.
Wind sensor on a Solair awning.
To learn more about Solair awnings, check out our product pages.
By Marcia Blake
Summer is undoubtably one of the best entertaining seasons spent in your outdoor room. One of the easiest ways to wow your guests and truly make an impactful style statement is through your tabletop design. Here are some great ways to bring about your style through fresh table decor.
A simple way to impress your guests and draw inspiration from your surroundings is to incorporate natural elements into your table design. Think organic color palettes and textures. Earthy tones of green and brown are a perfect way to capture the spirit of the season. Try incorporating moss balls, succulents or even stones into place settings, wood cuts under the dish ware or serving as coasters offer an incredible and fun way to bring about nature in a raw manner. When it comes to table centerpieces, think beyond simple, cut flowers. Using potted plants, herbs and flowers can not only last longer, but be used as possible party favors, or planted in your garden afterwards. They also make quite an impression aesthetically. When it comes to entertaining, special touches are key. Think about what it is you might be celebrating, be it an event or the time of year, and incorporate facets of the celebration into the decor. The organically inspired aesthetic can transcend into your overall design style as well, through earthy tones, raw materials and organic textures.
For a more contemporary and bold look, bright colors and daring patterns are essential. Pantone 2012 Color of The Year, Tangerine Tango, has proven to be extremely energetic and vivacious, adding spice and flair to any room it is used in. Popular patterns include chevrons, stripes, herringbone, geometric shapes, the greek key, and deconstructed shapes and flowers. Find your favorite and stick to it! For the table tops, place 2 bright table runners running the width of the table at equal distances to create a different aesthetic than your traditional. Also bright, the napkins and other linens on the table should be in a hue and pattern that compliment the runner. Have some fun with the centerpieces and place settings. Try items such as fruit or vegetables; lemons, limes and oranges are perfect for this. Include clear glass vases with single stems of your favorite bold flower, like poppies or gerber daisies. Let the color and patterns speak for themselves. That being said, a white or understated solid is typically best for dishware. Compliment the colors in your outdoor room and tabletop with colorful flowers, such as hibiscus or bougainvillea, within your landscaping and garden. The combination of striking patterns and spirited colors go far in making an unforgettable impression.
Don’t forget to incorporate your table decor into the rest of your outdoor space. Transcending the bold patterns or natural aesthetics into your kitchen area or lounge space is easy. Sunbrella fabrics provide an endless array of colors and designs to be incorporated into your throw pillows, linens, tugs, blankets, and draperies to provide finishing touches and comfort. It is even possible to incorporate your design style into your Solair awning to create a truly comprehensive design aesthetic, while providing needed shade and improved well-being to your guests. Whether your style falls under the more organic traditional or the bold contemporary, entertaining within your outdoor room is all about finding your style and letting it shine. Have fun utilizing the different styles and inspirations to find the entertaining style that suits your needs.
If you are looking to add a special touch to your next get-together, consider getting crafty with the lighting. Not only will it provide the much-needed light, the glow give your party an extra-special atmosphere. Here are some beautifully unique lighting choices that others have used for their parties. Hopefully they will get your inspiration glowing!
This photo, depicting a beautiful wedding reception, shows candles hanging from tree limbs in mason jars. This is a perfect look for a romantic evening under the canopy of the trees.
Photo from Pinterest
Or, try putting candles on a tiered structure with flowers or plants to add a little light to your backyard party.
Photo from Pinterest
For a little more of a flame, consider a firepit for your outdoor space.
Photo from Pinterest
For more visual inspiration on outdoor lighting and other entertaining ideas, be sure to check out Solair on Pinterest.
Tell us in the comments below, what are your creative tips for lighting?
Planning your next outdoor get-together? One aspect to think about during your planning is the furniture. How is it arranged, and how does it feel? These can have a huge impact on the tone for the party.
One set-up to try: if you are having a cocktail party, place different tables around the party area to create stations. For instance, put the drinks in one place, the appetizers in another, and desserts in yet another. This will encourage your guests to move around the party and mingle. Instead of having guests crowd around one table with all the food, this will create a more open feel to your gathering.
If your party calls for a more traditional sit-down meal, consider the comfort of your dining chairs. If chairs are comfortable, it makes guests more apt to sit and chat longer after the meal. Add lofty cushions to your chairs to make your guests feel right at home.
The way you set up your outdoor space is important to throwing the perfect backyard party. What are your furniture tips for creating the perfect atmosphere? Tell us in the comments below.
Party under a Solair awning at a Florida home
Close your eyes. Imagine it’s mid July. Hot. Humid. Can you feel the sweat starting to form on your brow?
Now, imagine you are looking for the perfect venue for a party in the middle of the summer blaze. You want to enjoy the great outdoors, but keep away from the burning rays of the sun. The outdoor living space underneath your Solair awning offers that perfect place to mingle with friends.
It’s Cool Under here
A Solair awning can cool your deck or patio by up to 20 degrees. The awning is made with Sunbrella fabric, which is specially woven to allow air to circulate so the hot air doesn’t get trapped underneath the awning.
It Expands Your Living Space
Bring the party outside. The area under the awning gives your home more livable space and will allow your partygoers to spread out.
It Blocks Harmful Rays
Solair awnings block 98% of harmful UV rays. In addition, Solair awnings are made with Sunbrella fabrics, which offers you and your party attendees superior protection from the sun. In fact, they have even earned the Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
So think of your Solair awning as the perfect space for your next gathering. You and your friends will have a great time!
Want to learn more? Read about more benefits a Solair awning can bring to your home and your next event.