Robert Magda: May 2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Wine and Paint Party! - Date: June 7, 2015 1:00 PM

Location: Fort Myers - Join us for a wine and paint party! A local artist will guide you through an acrylic painting on a 16x20 canvas in a gallery setting. All supplies included, approximately 2-2.5 hours, no experience necessary! Wine and beer available for purchase separately. Class is $35. Art Bar Fort Myers

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Friday, May 29, 2015

Building Credit 101: Tips for Recent Grads

If you’re a recent college grad, you’ve likely heard speeches about pursuing your passions and believing in yourself, but you probably haven’t heard much about establishing a good credit history. Here’s what you need to know.

It matters — a lot

Qualifying for mortgages, auto loans, apartments and even jobs has become dependent, to some degree, on your credit history.

Find out where you stand

The first step is knowing your current status. Access your credit report by visiting Annual Credit Report.com. Make sure all the information on the report is accurate, because errors can — and do — occur. Damaging discrepancies need to be corrected right away.

Build a credit history

Your credit history is one of the key factors making up your credit score, the all-important three-digit number that determines the rates you pay on everything from credit cards to mortgages to auto insurance.

The best time to build a credit history is when you’re young, and the best way to start a credit history is to get a credit card. This may sound counterintuitive, but if you don’t have a credit card, the scoring system has no information to go on for assessing your creditworthiness, so you come across as a credit risk.

Research credit card options

While many of the major issuers offer cards geared toward new applicants with little or no credit history, you might stand a better chance of getting a card at a credit union. Size up your card options on a site such as LowCards.com.

Gas cards and department store cards are also typically easy to get and can be a good place to start if your options are limited.

Another possibility — especially if you don’t have any credit history or your credit is damaged — is to get a secured card. These cards work just like a regular credit card, except that you place a security deposit with the credit card issuer to obtain one. They typically require $200 or more for the deposit, and this amount becomes the credit line for the account.

Use credit responsibly

The way to keep your credit score high is to spend responsibly within your means. Don’t use more than 30 percent of your available credit, and pay off your balances in full and on time every month. Your payment history contributes to 35 percent of your credit score, so this point is important.

Chip away at student loans

Student loans are a form of debt, and are therefore taken into account as part of your credit score. And while you may be worried about a lender seeing all of this debt (likely tens of thousands of dollars), there’s no need to be concerned if you’re handling your finances properly. Just be sure you’re managing your debt obligations and repaying them on time, every time.

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Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

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House of the Week: Spaceship Home in Staid New England

When a spaceship was poised to land on a quiet New England hillside some 30 years ago, there was unrest.

One local threatened to kill Wilfred Armster, the architect told the New Haven Register.

Developers had asked him to create “something wild” for the site of a defunct restaurant in Guilford, CT, but his copper-clad structure was not a hit with the townsfolk.

“This is a very staid, classic New England town,” explained Barbara Carney, an agent with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. “There was a lot of uproar, but now it’s an iconic treasure.”

One of the spaceship’s 13 condos is on the market for $349,900.

The unit has 1 bedroom, 2 baths and treehouse-type views of pine trees in one direction and Long Island Sound in the other. Below deck is a heated, 2-car garage.

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How Much to Rent a Tiny Apartment?

It’s hard to live large in New York, where it can cost up to $2,250 just to rent a 500-square-foot apartment. It’s much easier in Dallas, where 500 square feet only costs $480.

If you’re looking to rent for the summer, you’ll save more by heading to Wilmington, NC, where a tiny home only costs $406 a month to rent. If you prefer the West Coast, Laguna Beach, CA will cost upward of $1,700.

See what other major cities and vacation hot spots cost in the graphic below.

Blog_TinyHouse_Infographic_05-12-15_b_01

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Michael Jackson's Neverland on the Market for $100M

The acreage that was once a fantastical amusement park for the King of Pop is on the market — but without the carnival rides, orangutans and elephant, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The 2,700-acre estate north of Santa Barbara is listed for $100 million.

Gone are the railways and grand train station Jackson built, the Journal reports. Still standing are a floral clock that spells out “Neverland,” and a fire department, minus the firefighters.

The property features some 22 structures, including a 12,000-square-foot main house with six bedrooms and attached staff quarters. There are also two- and four-bedroom guesthouses, a swimming pool, basketball court, tennis court and 50-seat movie theater with a private viewing balcony.

Jackson paid $19.5 million for the property in 1987. A real estate investment firm later bought a loan on which he defaulted and put the title into a joint venture with him, the Journal reports.

Suzanne Perkins and Harry Kolb of Sotheby’s International Realty and Jeffrey Hyland of Hilton & Hyland hold the listing.

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3 Steps to Styling a Nursery That Grows With Your Child

Preparing for your child’s arrival is one of the joys of pregnancy, and a large part of the process is putting together a nursery. A common problem among nursery designs is they focus solely on the baby years, which means your child will likely outgrow it — and during a time when you’re too busy to even think about redecorating.

Here are three simple steps for designing a room your little one will not only love, but also enjoy for years to come.

1. Pick an inspiration piece

Give your nursery planning some direction by choosing one main item that will influence the rest of the design. Make sure this is an item that is timeless and doesn’t appeal to a certain theme.

In this nursery, the inspiration item is the floral curtains. They’re perfect for a little girl’s room, but they’re an item that girls of any age would love.

Use the item you choose to inspire the color scheme and the rest of the decor. By making this versatile item a focal point in the room, you’re already well on your way to designing a room for your child at any age.

2. Choose sophisticated, versatile furniture

For your furniture pieces and larger items, ask yourself the question, “Would I use this anywhere else in my house?” If the answer is no, don’t buy it. This is a great test that will steer you away from overly juvenile furniture that your child will outgrow.

For example, choose a glider and end tables that you wouldn’t mind using in your living room later.
Next, select a dresser that could go in any room, and use it for the changing table. Once your child outgrows the need for the changing pad on top, it converts to storage space that will work at any age.

Image 5 sm

3. Bring in baby-specific items in small doses

Complement your inspiration piece and stylish furniture choices with accessories that reflect the room’s purpose. Low-cost accent pieces, textiles and artwork are the perfect way to add charm and make the room feel ready for your baby.

In this little girl’s nursery, a vintage baby dress and copper baby shoe hang on the wall. In several years, those items can be easily changed for more age-appropriate artwork.

Another great way to make the room feel personal is by setting out some of your child’s accessories as decor, like this pair of baby shoes.
Corral their hair bows or bow-ties in a bowl for easy access and display.

Bring in a basket to hold stuffed animals, and display some toys in a vintage doll’s highchair.
Now, you have a room that is sweet and special for your new little addition, but can also be easily tweaked as your child grows.

See more nursery design inspiration.

Photos by The White Buffalo Styling Co.

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Choosing the Best Annuals for Your Garden

You can always count on annuals to bring a seasonal pop of color to your flowerbeds and containers. But with all the annuals on the seed racks and in the garden center, which ones should you choose?

The options are seemingly endless. Some grow tall, while others spread out in a mat. Some wilt in the sun, and some drop dead at first frost. There are annuals that reseed to the point of becoming weedy, and others are so vigorous that they seem to crowd out everything else.

Then you have to choose from a rainbow of colors, and decide whether you’ll grow flowers from seed or buy them as plants.

Whatever you’re looking for in a flower, this guide will help you pick the right ones for your garden.

Cool season vs. warm season

The first thing to consider is the season. If you’re approaching the first frost of fall or winter, choose a cold-tolerant annual that can take a light frost or two, thus giving you at least a few more weeks of color.

Some frost-tolerant annuals include petunias, pansies, Johnny-jump-ups, violas and violets. These are also good choices for early spring. If you live in a warmer climate (zones 8-11), grow these all winter. Some annuals are also better suited to the heat of summer, particularly Angelonia, salvia, pentas, lantana and tropical milkweed.

Sun vs. shade

Almost all annuals prefer full sun (at least eight hours of direct sunlight), but some will still do well in part shade. Coleus, New Guinea impatiens, torenia, alyssum and polka dot plants are all good choices for parts of the garden with four to eight hours of sun per day.

If you have a spot with full shade and the danger of frost has passed, consider growing houseplants in the garden as well, digging them up in fall to overwinter indoors.

Moist soil vs. dry soil

Considering factors such as soil type plays a key role in establishing a successful annual garden.

In general, annuals prefer a soil that is rich in organic matter, moisture retentive and well-drained. In other words, they like the black and crumbly stuff that looks like Oreo crumbs.

However, there are some annuals that handle drought or poor soil quite well, including coreopsis, Madagascar periwinkle, portulaca, Mexican sunflower and zinnias.

If your soil is sometimes a little too soggy, try growing violas, pansies, forget-me-nots, impatiens and cleome.

Seeds vs. plants

Some annuals, like petunias, verbena and snapdragons, take a long time to get started from seed and are best purchased as plants from the nursery.

However, most annuals are so easy to grow from seed that it would be ridiculous to buy a tray of marigolds or zinnias when you can grow many more from a single inexpensive seed packet.

You’ll get a bounty of blooms from just one packet of marigold seeds.

Exceptions to the rule are ‘Snow Princess’ Alyssum and other hybrids, selections and cultivars that are only available as potted plants. Many of these have special qualities, such as heat tolerance or no need for deadheading (that is, the removal of spent flowerheads), and are well worth the extra money.

Colorful vs. restrained

When picking out annuals, rest assured that you don’t need a color wheel to select a good palette of colors. Find inspiration from favorite outfits, paintings or, better yet, the existing plants in your garden, so you know you’ll absolutely love the colors you choose.

The main consideration is that you don’t end up with too many different hues competing for attention. Stick with plants of only two or three colors, and only add more when you’ve found a good balance.

Height vs. habit

It can be frustrating to spend a lot of time arranging and planting flowers, only to find that some are so tall or rampant that they cover up the shorter ones.

At the garden center, it can be tough to judge how tall the annuals will get or how wide they’ll spread, but those on the seed rack will be clearly labeled with their height, width and even habit.

Generally speaking, plant tall and upright flowers at the back of the border, medium and bushy ones in the middle and low-growing ones in the front. This will allow you to see all of the flowers in one sweeping view.

Re-seeding vs. well-behaved

Many old-fashioned heirloom annuals release their seeds into the garden so you can enjoy them each year without worry. However, some gardeners would consider those generous plants weedy, and might prefer something more restrained and well-behaved.

Poppies reseed themselves, so you’ll get lots of flowers for your effort.

Some annuals that do reseed themselves are Indian blanket (Gaillardia), cosmos, larkspur, poppies and zinnia.

If you’re looking for annuals that don’t reseed, some plants at the garden center will be patented, and less likely to reseed themselves. These are also good picks because they’re less likely to need deadheading to keep them blooming.

Annuals vs. perennials

Finally, decide if you really want to grow annuals, which last for only a few seasons. Perennials, on the other hand, can come back year after year if their needs are met. This can be a great approach if you’d rather not go through the hassle of replanting annuals every year, or if you would like to get more value in the long run.

Planting annuals allows you to create a new garden look every year.

Annuals, however, are fast-growing, easy, and offer new creative possibilities each year. You can give them an entire flowerbed or plug them into gaps among perennials for an injection of color. The answer to this debate, of course, is to plant both annuals and perennials!

Want to spruce up your own yard or patio area? Zillow Digs and hayneedle.com are teaming up to give one person a $5,000 shopping spree to hayneedle.com to create their own outdoor oasis. Enter now for your chance to win.

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Cindy Crawford's Malibu Home Makeover Now on the Market

The Malibu home that supermodel Cindy Crawford and her restaurateur husband, Rande Gerber, bought last summer is back on the market — and looking great.

The couple, who paid $6 million for the 1958 home last June, changed the whole look of the place and is now asking $15.45 million, as first reported by Variety.

The makeover of the 1.4-acre estate, which boasts a private path to a beach for nearby residents, includes new wide-plank, French oak floors and exposed-beam ceilings.

There are ocean views from the great room, the gourmet kitchen and breakfast nook, and the wraparound entertainment deck. The master suite also has ocean views and a deck, plus a free-standing bathtub and steam shower.

If the beach is too far to walk, the expansive yard features a lagoon-style pool.

The listing agent is Chris Cortazzo of Coldwell Banker.

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Not Into Jason Biggs' LA Listing? Check Out What He's Selling in Beverly Hills

Jason Biggs clearly wants to bake his American pies in a new home.

A couple weeks after listing his home above the Sunset Strip, Jason Biggs has put his Beverly Hills mansion on the market. The actor has listed them both before.

Biggs is asking $4.795 million for his 2.5-acre estate in the 90210 ZIP. Built in 1954, it has that California-meets-Europe vibe with a Spanish tile roof, cobbled patios and paths, and a pool surrounded by lush tropical foliage. There’s also a tennis court and a guesthouse.

The 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath property features soaring exposed-wood ceilings, walk-in closets and a bevy of French doors and fireplaces.

The listing agent is Rory Barish of Keller Williams Realty.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Summer Wading Trips With Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve - Date: June 4, 2015 9:00 AM

Location: Fort Myers - Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is offering three summer wading trips, which are now open for registration. Participants will discover firsthand why estuaries are known as “cradles of the ocean.Participants will wade into mudflats and seagrass beds at low tide to discover many of the plants and animals that call the estuary home. Dip nets and seine nets will be provided to collect organisms.

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5 Ways to Boost a Ranch-Style Home's Curb Appeal

In the 1950s, ranch-style homes abounded. They were so popular that they accounted for nine out of every 10 new houses built.

Now, after 40-some years out of trend, the open, one-story style is gaining favor once more. Younger and first-time home buyers are revisiting ranch design, drawn by the appeal of an informal and laid-back layout and the typical affordability of these mid-century homes. Meanwhile, an older generation of buyers are lured by the ranch’s single-level floor plan, which is easy on aging knees.

Despite these practical attractions, the style’s horizontal, close-to-the-ground profile gets a bad rap for its exterior, which is often knocked for being dull. Fortunately, visual interest is just a series of DIY improvements away. Here are five ways to improve the ranch style’s exterior, transforming it from blah to beautiful.

Break up monotonous horizontal lines

Admittedly, the feature that’s most appealing on the inside — the sprawling, single-story design with its open floor plan — is, externally, uninteresting at best. A few easy landscaping improvements, however, can relieve the monotony and provide a visual counterpoint to that long, low roofline.

Nearest the home, choose shrubs and grasses that deliver color without overwhelming the exterior. Think small: Strategically select shorter shrubs, such as boxwoods, that won’t cover the low windows.

In bunches, these groupings will catch the eye, breaking up the expanse of exterior. Then, layer in taller trees to frame the entrance or garage; evergreens will draw the eye upward and offset the horizontal roofline.

Embrace symmetry

Casual, contemporary style is the hallmark of a ranch home — and, sometimes, your best bet is to emphasize what you’ve already got. Maximize the sleek, contemporary lines of a ranch house by arranging your low-growing shrubs in a symmetrical fashion. Similarly, plant your taller greens in pairs for balance; they can work as well as columns to frame a neatly decorated front porch.

Think outside the box(-iness)

The typical ranch takes on a boxy, rectangular form — sometimes with an L shape, but always with plenty of hard corners. To prevent the place from looking like a shipping container, soften the property by adding curved lines. Bring these new shapes into play through rounded garden beds along the front and sides, each filled with a mixture of colorful annuals, hardy perennials, and attractive grasses for year-round visual interest.

You can also introduce curves into your landscaping through a winding walkway toward the entrance. Eschew straight edges and 90-degree angles, and lay pavers, bricks or stamped concrete in a more sinuous design. Then, flank the pathway with colorful flowers to generate a sense of space and openness by drawing the eye toward the yard.

Insert visual interest through color and texture

Many ranch-style homes suffer from the blahs simply because there is no contrast or “pop.” These exteriors typically feature subdued, monochromatic color palettes and basic wood, brick or stucco siding.

The answer to this dull dilemma can be found in a bucket of paint. For a cheery note, try using a punchy, unexpected hue on the porch, door, or window trim. You could even go a step further by adding new architectural elements that bring in more color: Shutters, decorative pillars or trellises offer yet more opportunities to brighten the front of the home — and do double-duty by breaking up the home’s long silhouette.

Play up the porch

A key design element for many ranch homes is a small front porch. If you’ve been blessed with a shaded spot, make the porch an even grander entrance by extending its reach. Consider creating a taller, pitched roof over the porch, or adding an awning to generate more interest.

If your property (or budget) cannot accommodate a larger porch, make the most of the one you have with some simple, smaller additions: an attention-getting decorative railing, potted plants down the steps, or updated hardware and house numbers can all do the trick.

Swap in new accent lighting to brighten up the area, and add a porch swing or a bistro table-and-chair set to invite social gatherings.

Check out more home exterior ideas.

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Pharrell Buys Modern Digs Overlooking LA

Pharrell Williams and his big hat are headed west.

The “Happy” singer recently dropped $7.14 million on a contemporary estate high in the hills above Los Angeles, Variety reports. Its Jetsons-style living room, complete with a floating fireplace, is surrounded by walls of glass with views of an infinity-edge pool and an expanse of city lights below.

The compound on 1.5 acres includes 5 bedrooms in the main home, a sixth bedroom in a detached guest house, and an outdoor theater. The listing agent was Justin Mandile of The Agency.

Pharrell also owns homes in Miami and Virginia Beach. He’s listed the Miami condo off and on for the past few years.

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What $1M Buys Around the Country

Television shows like “Million Dollar Listing” display some of the hottest listings in Los Angeles and New York, but what will a cool million buy around the rest of the country?

Plenty of noteworthy million-dollar homes for sale can be found outside of these two metropolises. Whether your taste leans toward modern marvels, restored historics, or opulent Mediterraneans, these million-dollar listings will give you a thrill.

Denver, CO

4251 Perry St, Denver, CO
For sale: $950,000

Built in 2015, this brand new 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom modern home is perfect for those looking for the hottest architectural trends of the moment.

See more homes listed in Denver.

Miami, FL

3060 SW 4th Ave, Miami, FL
For sale: $999,500

Surrounded by lush foliage, this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath Mediterranean home feels like a European villa and is equipped with a coveted modern interior.

See more Miami homes for sale.

Dallas, TX

6405 Royal Ln, Dallas, TX
For sale: $975,000

This 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom brick home is waiting for you to make it your castle — complete with an extravagant iron staircase, soaring ceilings, and landscaped backyard complete with a pool and spa.

See more homes listed in Dallas.

Seattle, WA

6245 Chatham Dr S, Seattle, WA
For sale: $998,000

If the luxurious interior and the lush exterior of this mid-century modern home are not enough, the views of Lake Washington, Mount Rainier and the city will win your heart.

See more Seattle homes for sale.

Minneapolis, MN

2215 Pillsbury Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
For sale: $999,900

Built by famed Minneapolis-based architect Harry Wild Jones, this 3-story colonial revival is a gem, boasting modern updates and an in-ground pool.

See more homes for sale in Minneapolis.

Chicago, IL

5011 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL
For sale: $999,000

This newly constructed 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home brings comfort to city living with an enormous high-end kitchen and a spacious back deck.

See more homes for sale in Chicago.

Atlanta, GA

2914 Wyngate Dr NW, Atlanta, GA
For sale: $995,000

Perched on almost an acre of land, this 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom estate evokes the essence of a bygone era, with a spiral staircase, elegant crown molding, and a tranquil sunroom.

See more Atlanta homes for sale.

Portland, OR

2260 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR
For sale: $989,000

This lovely 5-bedroom, 3-bath Tudor home is loaded with unique architectural details, including arches and mahogany woodwork.

See more homes listed in Portland.

Charlotte, NC

5100 Piper Glen Dr, Charlotte, NC
For sale: $999,000

The special features of this 5-bedroom, 6.75-bathroom brick home include a 1,000-bottle wine cellar and a guest apartment with elevator access to all floors.

See more homes listed in Charlotte.

San Jose, CA

1669 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA
For sale: $964,900

This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home has a private courtyard entrance that leads to a completely remodeled interior with an open floor plan, with updates such as a large gourmet kitchen with high-end appliances.

See more homes for sale in San Jose.

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Outdoor Living Goes Luxe

Outdoor areas are often the last to receive design attention, but they shouldn’t be. By carrying your design style outdoors, you can turn a patio, deck or even a balcony into another room of the house.

Many outdoor spaces have become quite elaborate, including cushy seating areas, cozy fireplaces and firepits, full-size kitchens and elegant dining areas.

If you have a pool, you may want to incorporate a cabana. Or you can add a basketball court or a spot for bocce ball or croquet. Even if your space isn’t that elaborate, you can still create a relaxing backdrop for lounging and entertaining.

Patio play

Your lounging experience doesn’t have to be bound up indoors. With high-performance indoor-outdoor fabrics, you can introduce color, texture and pattern outside and expand the indoor aesthetic. All the amenities of a living space can be present, from fireplaces to televisions, accent lighting and music. The options for luxuriating are endless.

Source: Zillow Digs

Balcony basics

Even small or narrow spaces deserve the royal treatment when it comes to outdoor living. Sophisticated details such as hidden lighting, see-through railings and plush seating can create the ideal setting high above the hustle and bustle.

Source: Marc-Michaels Interior Design

Simple seating

Sleek and contemporary looks complement outdoor environments seamlessly. A separate dining or living room with a fireplace centerpiece creates the perfect getaway right in your own backyard.

Source: Horst Architects

Hit the roof(top)

Often in a city environment, the only place to go out, is up. Rooftop living can be one of the most innovative and luxurious ways to get away from it all. Sleek design elements such as metal, glass and wood can frame out the perfect perch for growing plants and herbs or defining simple lounge areas that rest beneath the sun and stars.

Source: The Corcoran Group

On fire

Outdoors, fire incorporates not only warmth, but also ambiance, during the day or night. Consider gas-run firepits to provide unexpected architectural interest at the flip of a switch, while welcoming guests on cool summer evenings.

Source: Studio 6 Architects

Out in the kitchen

Outfit your outdoor kitchen appropriately and you may never cook inside again. Incorporate all of the extravagances of your indoor setup using stainless steel for easy maintenance and the perfect amount of shine. Grills, blenders, under-counter refrigeration, and a full sink make entertaining outdoors effortlessly beautiful.

Source: Bruce Clodfelter & Associates

All about dining

Dining outdoors takes on a wonderfully different feel when guests are comfortable to lounge around the table. A large tabletop and ample plush seating is always inviting to visitors, especially when accented by thoughtful lighting and lush foliage.

Source: Zillow Digs

Poolside paradise

Water inspires relaxation, and nothing says “luxe” more than the feel of the ocean. Consider an infinity version that reaches to the beach views. Or surround yourself with the quench of sea blue by incorporating blue glass tiles on pool walls, with a smart seating area at the center of it all.

Source: Zillow Digs

Crazy for cabanas

A cabana offers the ideal solution to experience the outdoors while remaining out of the sun. Belly up to the bar area for cocktails, lounge under ceiling fans for a cat nap or socialize with friends around a dining table — anything you can do indoors can be done outdoors, too, with the addition of a cabana.

Source: Scott Cohen

Sports-minded fun

For at-home entertainment outdoors, create a bocce court or croquet spot among your seating area. Incorporate umbrellas and plenty of cushions to ensure comfort day or night.

Source: Sage Outdoor Designs

Want to spruce up your own backyard or patio? Zillow Digs and hayneedle.com are teaming up to give one person a $5,000 shopping spree to hayneedle.com to create their own outdoor oasis. Enter now for your chance to win.

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