In Sarasota, the outdoor living area is just as important as the interior thanks to the breathtaking views and idyllic spring weather. PECKY is excited to carry these fabulous umbrellas, arriving soon, to help our clients create the ultimate staycation right outside your door.

Here are some tips for transforming your outdoor space from home improvement expert Tom Kraeutler as featured by Oprah.com.

Know your home’s style.
It’s important to have an understanding of your home’s architectural style when creating an outdoor room, so that your outdoor patio space complements your indoor living space. Whatever theme you carry outdoors, it should reflect your home’s style, whether it’s a Victorian, a Craftsman or a ranch-style home.

Determine the use of your space.
Once you know the general architectural style of your home and, by extension, your patioscape, it’s time to think about the activities you want to enjoy. If you like to entertain, consider planning a food preparation area or built-in counter to serve as a buffet or serving space. If you want to lounge and read in blissful silence, include a hammock, chaise lounges or wooden benches with pillows covered in durable outdoor fabrics.

Set the stage with the right door.
The entry to your outdoor patio space creates the impression of what’s to follow on the other side. And because summertime barbecues, pool parties and picnics funnel traffic through your home’s patio door, make it a pleasant experience—avoid irritating traffic jams, frayed screens and cloudy glass by installing doors that can stand up to the high traffic and look good over time.

Make a green space even greener.
While shrubs and trees can add important texture to your green space, you don’t need to completely re-landscape the yard. Colorful flowering plants around your patio’s perimeter can create a dramatic effect and serve as a visual boundary from the rest of the yard, creating an intimate space that evokes an actual room.

Let there be light.
String lights in festive colors and shapes; add drama by lighting a pathway to the garden, pool or pond; accent trees with lights at ground level or in the branches. There is nothing more beautiful than candlelight outdoors—just be sure to use sturdy candle holders that won’t tip over.

Allow for family fun.
Many families use the patio as a playground equipped with toys, swings, basketball hoops and wading pools. Add a clean storage area to protect bikes and toys when not in use, as well as indoor/outdoor floor coverings to protect children from scrapes and bruises.

We were happy to see so many pretty PECKY pieces featured in the latest issue of Style Magazine.

As you may know, PECKY carries the apothecary line Santa Maria Novella, which boasts a cult following it seems thanks to its unmistakably fresh pomegranate scent and distinctive products like the scented terracotta pomegranate and pretty wax tablets. Well, the company now may have a following of a different kind. We received this note from a client today on her recent Santa Maria Novella shampoo purchase.

“If anyone needs a funny story about Santa Maria Novella shampoo, you can   tell them that it is excellent for dogs as well as humans.

Two nights ago Emma opened the back gate and “escaped” to a construction site down the street. She had a grand time digging in the mud (likely in search of discarded chicken bones from the workmen). She was only gone a few minutes when we realized she was missing, and a search ensued! Upon hearing her name for the tenth time, she came bounding back…wet and muddy with a huge grin on her face.

After a partial outdoor cleaning, Mike took her into my shower and scrubbed her down with my favorite shampoo.  After drying her, she looked the best we had ever seen her, and smelled nice too!!

Now I need more shampoo!”