Michael R. Anderson - Deck & Patio Furnishings: Seating, Dining, Wind & Sun Screens, Storage, Entertaining & More

FURNISHINGS

Seating, Dining, Wind & Sun Screens, Storage, Entertaining & More

MICHAEL R. ANDERSON

2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Text, photography, and illustrations 2016 Michael R. Anderson, unless otherwise noted

First published in 2016 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: (612) 344-8100 Fax: (612) 344-8692

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details contact the Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.

Digital edition: 978-1-62788-834-9
Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-640-4

Acquiring Editor: Mark Johanson

Project Managers: Alyssa Bluhm, Madeleine Vasaly

Art Director: Brad Springer

Cover Designer: Jay SmithJuicebox Designs

Layout: Ryan Scheife

Technical Reviewer: Chris Marshall

Thanks to Mark Johanson and Brad Springer for allowing me the opportunity to work on this project. Also, thanks to Jason Swanson at TTI for supplying tools for the production. Many thanks to the team at HANDY, specifically Mike Berger, Larry Okrend, Dan Cary, Jenny Stanley, and Connie Bastyr, who allowed me to hone my skills over a 10-year period at that magazine. My experiences there gave me the skills and insight I needed to make this project happen.

Thanks to Dale Berns at Metro Homes, who through his skill has shown me what real artistry with wood looks like. Thanks also to Mike Tavis for letting me borrow tools, giving me project guidance, and letting me eat his food. Annie Berns and Walter Johnson, thanks so much for allowing me into your beautiful yard.

This publication would not have been possible without the support, encouragement, and love of my daughters, Lizzy and Gracie. I am so proud of you both. Finally, to Doris, the love of my life, my muse, my sage, and my best friend to whom this book is dedicated. Thanks, babe. Youre still in my heart and my soul.

B ackyard patios and decks are more than extensions of our homes; they are extensions of our personalities. We customize them to fit our needs, styles, and desires. We relax, entertain, and hold special events in these outdoor living spaces. Some of the most important moments of our lives are played out on patios and decks. So its no surprise that we are driven to spend so much in time and resources to adorn and customize them.

Retailers understand how we feel about our patios and decks, and they invest in large and varied displays of furniture and decorative accessories in their stores. The entire leisure lifestyle industry has grown into an over $6 billion a year business in the United States. Backyard living no longer means plain resin chairs, a table, and a grill. Its about making a patio or deck a greater part of the home and bringing our indoor comforts and amenities to the outside of the home as well.

As interest in beautifying and expanding our outdoor living spaces continues to grow, so do the creative ways we customize, design, and build our own projects. Outdoor kitchens, fire pits, water features, and pergolas adorn decks and patios, and new ideas are constantly being dreamed up and built by intrepid do-it-yourselfers. At the same time, there is a growing interest in reuse, which works well for building many outdoor projects. A quick search on the Internet will result in a multitude of outdoor furnishings built from ordinary wood pallets and other recycled materials such as concrete, glass, stone, and tile.

Building projects for your backyard is not only an enjoyable pastime, but it can be economically advantageous as well. The prices for outdoor furnishings can reach seriously elevated levels, so it makes sense to use a combination of materials, skills, and creativity to build your own. Plus, the satisfaction in creating something yourself is highly rewarding. Some projects may even become prized family heirlooms, transcending any monetary value. When people turn to you and ask, You built that? or proclaim, I want one of those, you can take pride in what youve accomplished.

This book offers beginners easy construction techniques to achieve professional-looking results using standard materials and tools. Designed to be functional while looking refined, the projects in these pages can be modified to suit individual needs. Basic tools are used, and several projects can be constructed using only the simplest of hand tools. The materials are all easily obtainable and are most often standard dimensional lumber. The caveat that dimensional lumber varies in actual size must be stated, but with careful measuring and cutting, you can still get excellent results.

The tools shown are standard and also available at most home centers and hardware stores. All the projects featured can be built with hand and portable tools. Those with more seasoned skills and sophisticated power tools can build these same designs utilizing more advanced construction techniques. Regardless of what your set of tools includes, always think safety first. Know your abilities and work accordingly. Read, understand, and follow instruction manuals before attempting to use a tool. Read and understand warning labels. Wear safety goggles, a dust mask, and hearing protection when required. Always turn off and unplug tools before you make any adjustments. Work in well-lit, dry areas and make sure all equipment is grounded. And get help with assembling, lifting, and moving projects.