(ARA) – Nothing is more relaxing than a breath of fresh air, which is likely the reason why the lines between indoors and out have blurred immensely. More homeowners are moving their living rooms outside to well-appointed patios and decks, furnishing these spaces with all the comforts of their favorite indoor gathering spaces.

Research shows homebuilders are now incorporating two- and three-sided outdoor rooms into home plans. Manufacturers too are addressing the trend by providing a wide array of products designed for outdoor living, giving homeowners nearly as many choices to decorate their outdoor living rooms as those inside their homes – including furniture, textiles, lighting, grills and even WiFi-enabled outdoor entertainment systems.

“Homeowners are spending as much time and effort on outdoor living projects as they do indoor decorating endeavors,” notes Denise Patterson, product manager for Krylon, the nation’s leader in spray paint. “With the summer season just around the corner, now’s the time to freshen up your outdoor living space and make it ‘relaxation ready’ for the warm months of fun ahead.”

Pep it up with paint
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to spruce up an outdoor area is by refurbishing existing furniture and other pieces with spray paint. While you want furniture to look stylish, you also want something that is easy to clean and maintain, and holds up against rain, heat and sunlight. No one wants freshly painted furniture to fade, chip or rust before the season ends.

From wicker furniture and patio tables to pottery and planters, Krylon’s Outdoor Spaces line of spray finishes offers a wide range of durable, yet contemporary colors that can easily help you achieve sophisticated looks with the convenience of spray paint. Because homeowners are looking for more than just basic colors, they’re available in several new, vibrant and exciting hues, including Poppy, Ivy, Ocean and Sunlight.

Lighten up with fabric and lighting
Once your painting projects are complete, accent your bold color choices with unique and interesting cushions and throw pillows made from stain- and mildew-resistant fabrics. Keep in mind that your new furniture colors and coordinating cushions will “pop” and look brighter with the right kind of outdoor lighting. Depending on how you configure your outdoor living space, you can install lighted ceiling fans, place environmentally-friendly solar accent lighting in surrounding flowerbeds, and use portable lamps designed expressly for exterior use.

Add nature … with a twist
Living in the great outdoors wouldn’t be complete if you didn’t weave in natural elements such as fire and water. Grills, fire pits and water features, such as a container pond, bird bath or waterfall planter further tie together the perfect combination of inside meets outside.

Additionally, portable propane heaters are a great way to let you enjoy your outdoor haven even when nights get chilly, allowing you to make the most of your space all season long.

Include enticing entertainment
And don’t forget the entertainment. Outdoor-friendly systems exist for any budget – ranging from WiFi- or satellite-radio-enabled speaker systems for a little mood music, to high-end comprehensive systems that include plasma TVs and surround sound. All are designed to withstand any weather.

With all of the stylish and unique design options available to help you create your own backyard oasis this summer, why even consider spending your free time indoors? The season lasts only a few months in many climates, so make the most of it by designing an ultimate outdoor living room that’s ideal for gathering, cooking, entertaining and relaxing with friends and family.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – With football season upon us, tailgating is top of mind for sports enthusiasts across the country. Always a crowd pleaser, burgers remain a favorite for cookout connoisseurs, but any would-be grill guru can tell you that creating a flavorful, juicy burger isn’t always as easy as it looks. Fortunately, it is possible to grill up the perfect burger before kickoff.

Follow these other simple techniques for creating the perfect burger from Chef Chamberlain to ensure that you and your fellow fans will never have to take another tasteless, burnt-out bite.

* What’s Your Beef? — For moist, rich flavor, Chamberlain uses ground sirloin that is 80 percent lean. If you’re looking for a leaner burger, select ground sirloin that is 95 percent lean, and increase moisture by adding one egg white and 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs for every pound of meat used. To keep burgers from crumbling during grilling, Chamberlain recommends chilling the meat well in advance, and using a ring mold to form a tight patty.

* Spice it up! — Seasoning is an important and often over-looked part of the grilling process. Chamberlain prefers the bolder tastes of kosher or sea salt, and fresh ground pepper to iodized salt and pre-ground pepper. Season both sides of the patty just before grilling for peak flavor.

* Feel the Heat — Chef Chamberlain recommends using a grill with solid, heavy grates for superior heat retention. Keep burgers from sticking by lightly brushing the grill with oil or applying a non-stick cooking spray. Don’t forget to preheat over medium to medium high heat.

* Brown is best — When you’re finally ready to get down to business, Chamberlain indicates that the real key to flavor is browning, so resist the temptation to flip before the meat is properly browned! A professional meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when your burgers are ready to serve. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees F for a perfect burger.

Who said tailgating couldn’t be top notch? Try your hand at Chef Chamberlain’s recipe for Tuscan Olive burgers for a delicious Mediterranean twist on grilling.

Tuscan Olive Burger
Serves:  4

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound ground beef sirloin
Kosher or sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
Olive bread slices (optional, you can substitute hamburger buns)
8 slices Sargento Baby Swiss cheese
3/4 cup green olive tapenade
Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon capers
Fresh ground pepper
1 6-ounce jar artichokes in olive oil
1 roasted red bell pepper (peeled, seeded and diced)
1 medium tomato (diced)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
8 slices Sargento Baby Swiss cheese

Directions:
1. For the olive tapenade mayonnaise: In a food processor, combine olives, lemon, mayonnaise and capers. Process until smooth. Chill.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine artichoke salad, olive oil and roasted peppers and mix well.
3. Pre heat grill at medium high heat. Mold ground beef into 4 to 6-ounce patties and season with salt and pepper. Place burgers on grill and cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.  Top each burger with 2 slices Sargento Swiss cheese and melt. Grill olive bread slices or hamburger buns lightly.
4. Spread 1 tablespoon tapenade mayonnaise over 4 slices of bread. Top with burgers. Top burgers with artichoke salad and serve.

Courtesy of ARAcontent