Stylize Your Backyard This Summer Season

From grilling to gardening, the outdoor season is here, but is your patio primed for the party? 

Summer is the perfect time to spruce up the patio and embrace simple outdoor do-it-yourself projects.  Consider these simple suggestions to prepare

your patio or backyard for a festive summer barbecue:

• Freshen up metal patio furniture. Season after season, patio furniture is exposed to outdoor elements.  Remove any loose or flaking paint with a rotary tool. When rust is removed, wipe down and rinse the furniture. Once dry, finish

the project by applying a coat of rust-resistant paint.

• Clean the grill. Everyone hates to clean the grill. A rotary tool can be used to avoid hand scrubbing and quickly rids the grates of any cooking deposits Once clean, treat the cooking rack with vegetable oil or cooking spray to prepare your barbecue feast.

• Make terra cotta luminaries. Looking to add a warm glow to your patio party? Create one-of-a kind luminaries to light up the conversation.  Draw or trace a design onto a terra-cotta pot.  Then, using a hand-held rotary tool, carve out

your design. Insert a votive candle to illuminate your table, entryway, patio or garden. Try a citronella candle to keep the pests away.