Oasis in the desert
There’s just no denying it. It’s hot outside. Very hot.
But, with a little creative decorating and landscaping, you can at least create the illusion of being in some exotic tropical location where the warm air blends with the sand and sea.
One of the easiest ways to bring in a touch of the tropics is with wicker furniture with floral-print upholstery, said Dwayne Pavlik, sales manager for the Lowe’s on West Washington Avenue.
Pavlik said all-weather wicker is ideal for indoor and outdoor settings. It has a universal tropical look, blends well with earth tones and stays cool to the touch, even when in the sun.
When used outside, the furniture can be placed over an outdoor rug and under a canopy or surrounded by plants to enhance its look.
Faux ocean breezes can be re-created by using overhead or tabletop fans and misting systems, he said. There also are misting fans, which blend the two elements into one piece.
Misting systems also can be installed in tree limbs and shrubs, said Damon Lang, president of GreenPlanet Landscaping in Las Vegas.
“They’re a real surprise when they come on.”
Moisture in the air can reduce the temperature by about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, Lang said.
Fountains and other water features also are good ways to add moisture to the air and create the soothing atmosphere associated with a beach vacation.
“Anytime you have the sound of water in your yard it tricks your mind into thinking it’s cooler,” Lang said.
He said one of the more popular water features he’s seen being added to backyards this year are splash pads. Often seen at parks and commercial properties, splash pads are water features activated by a button or movement that invite people — children in particular — to play in the water.
When properly installed, splash pads use very little water, said Lang, who has won several awards from the Southern Nevada Water Authority for his water-efficient landscapes.
Almost as important as incorporating a water feature is the creation of shade.
Jeanette Reitz, live nursery specialist for Lowe’s, said shade of any type will visually make you feel better and cooler. She recommends planting a few trees in the yard; popular choices are mesquite, pine, ornamental pear and Raywood ash. Of course, there are also palm trees.
“It’s not so much the type of tree as it is the shade,” she said.
Lang said the shade also helps prevent evaporation, so you are not using as much water as you may think to keep your landscaping lush and green.
He said to pay special attention to southern and western exposures and to make sure trees are planted with enough room to grow. You don’t want their canopies encroaching on the house.
A tree also can evoke images of tropical nights with the addition of a light near its top so it can shine down on the ground to mimic the look of moonlight.
Another way to keep moisture in the air and keep temperatures cooler is bark mulch, said Reitz. She recommends using the bark around trees, plants and in flower beds.
Pavlik said artificial grass is a good addition to the yard. “It works well in the desert and adds greenery and color to your yard. It takes away from all the brown of the stone and desert,” he said.
“Having the grass, either synthetic or natural, makes you think it cooler because you’re seeing all that green,” Lang agreed.
Lang also recommends using plants that have purple and yellow flowers. “They really stand out in the sun.”
Heading indoors, through paint, some embellishments on the wall, wispy drapery and accessories you can transform your family room into a gathering spot with a definite island feel.
Select paints in ocean- and beach-inspired colors and use them on the walls or wooden furniture. According to the experts at Lowe’s, painted Adirondack chairs provide an ideal spot for relaxing or reading. Add a party bar table that has been customized with grasscloth wallpaper attached to the body of the bar as well as the canopy to mimic a beach hut, then accent it with some rope lights wrapped around the poles.
Rope definitely brings in a nautical touch and can be used to create sea-themed vases. Just wrap various lengths of PVC pipe with jute twine that is secured in place with hot glue (place cylindrical vials inside the tubes to hold flowers or greenery), or use the rope to trim the frames of your favorite photos of the beach.
