Friday, April 13, 2007

Preparing for the (Immediate) Future

We are in the throes of getting our house and yard in order for Kyle's graduation party. We've procrastinated way too long to deal with the backyard and now we will pay the price. I don't want to rent a tent; they're too obtrusive, costly and basically a disposable expense.

I have some great ideas, namely to install removable sails in the backyard using IKEA fabric.


I have no idea how to fabricate them (measure, layout, etc.) but I would be willing to try. It doesn't appear to be that difficult, probably just cost-prohibitive. At least it would be removeable and reusable.

For the time being, we need to concentrate on the inside (painting trim and the garage). I keep telling myself, it will get done!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hello my dear - Congrat's on starting you're own blog, as busy as you are. Couple of comments on "shade structures." They're in fact, "tensile" structures. If you look closely at the pics, they all are either a) attached to a building, or b) a "column." Something to take the "strain" of stretching the fabric. Much like the poles in the circus tents (with guy wires to the ground), you'll need to have something built to withstand the loads. Otherwise, you might consider a series of "awnings" attached (temporarily to the house), or large umbrella's. There are some large ones - 9'-12' in diameter for restaurant parties. You might be able to find those at a restaurant supply house. The "awing" idea is not "disposable" but you might consider it as a add on option - with now the time to install. You can get ones that "roll away" or not, which can protect it during the winter (..I hear you still have those in Michigan (lol))

Just some thoughts....
best,
John