blog – Blue Oak Outdoor

Let’s Go Shopping

I have fallen for “disposable” outdoor furniture in the past, but after reinvesting three times over I came to realize I could have researched a little more and invested in nicer pieces just once. So let me save you the trouble of outfitting your outdoors with soon to be broke-down furniture and arm you with a shopping guide outlining the quality points that matter most outdoors.

August 09, 2018 by TK Wismer

Get Grilling: 4 Twists on the Traditional Hot Dog

Just in time for those summer gatherings we went into the Blue Oak test kitchen (it's a grill out back surrounded by really great looking patio furniture) to come up with these 4 fun twists on the traditional dog.

July 03, 2018 by TK Wismer

What's Bugging You

It only takes one tiny guest to ruin a patio party, and I’m not talking about the usual suspects, an unruly toddler or a friend who has a perfect record of spilling her drink, I’m talking about the tiny winged terrors that can make even the most Martha Stewart-esque gathering feel like an episode of naked and afraid.

June 07, 2018 by TK Wismer

7 Tips for Arranging Patio Furniture

One of the most common design questions that I get asked by clients and friends is how to arrange furniture in their homes and outdoor areas. Whether you are pulling furniture out of storage, looking to invest in new pieces, or just want a fresh look for the new season,...

May 09, 2018 by TK Wismer

Spring Into Action!

7 tips to get your outdoor space primed in time for spring.

March 08, 2018 by TK Wismer

Riding the Trend Waves

One of the most daunting tasks for a designer in any industry is to be “au courant” or on trend. This ever-elusive classification involves insightfully understanding where the current trends are, what is likely coming down the pipe, and where one might be able to influence or push a...

February 07, 2018 by TK Wismer

Taking Indoor Trends Outside

A new year means a new season of design and many of the trends that we see developed for our indoor rooms can easily be translated to our outdoor spaces. Here is a run-down on how to take some of those indoor trends outside. Darker, Moodier Spaces People are starting to...

January 04, 2018 by TK Wismer

Homemade Holiday

This is the time of year where we can get overwhelmed with purchasing and the holiday bustle. It is easy to forget to slow down and enjoy some of our time-honored traditions or to make new traditions for friends and family.

December 06, 2017 by TK Wismer

Sliced Pumpkin Pie

The November issue of Southern Living magazine has several times over been the catalyst for awakening an inner domestic goddess and sending me off on a mission to perfectly execute one of the comfort food delights or festive decor DIYs found within the pages. Last year it was massive Cinnamon-Pecan...

November 10, 2017 by TK Wismer

Mix Master

I recently attended the open house of a 1960’s era condo that had been frozen in time. The entire living room was bedecked with matching wallpaper, upholstery, and drapes. It looked like one of those 3D prints where if you blur your vision just right, a dinosaur or a pineapple or...

October 20, 2017 by TK Wismer