Garden Design

(MS) - Imagine yourself effortlessly swaying on a hammock under a kaleidoscope of colors as the leaves drift to the ground in the fall breeze. How long has it been since you've admired the peace and beauty of your own backyard? If your answer is "too long," then you might want to take time this autumn to create a personal retreat that can offer a respite from your lawn chores as well as a front and "under" viewpoint on the change of season.

TIMELESS RELAXATION TOOL
     Once you've realized that the desire is there to build a relaxation retreat, your next decision is what type of hammock you want. Symbolizing enduring comfort and relaxation, hammocks have been around for over a century. Today, however, choosing a hammock is not always easy, as they come in a multitude of styles, sizes and colors. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind that will help you make the choice that's right for you.

HAMMOCK HELPERS
     Three main hammock styles are available, including hand-woven rope, quilted fabric and open-weave vinyl fabric. Each selection offers support and comfort, allowing you to choose the particular model that suits your personal style.
     The classic rope hammock is woven by hand and constructed of cotton or polyester rope. While cotton rope is the traditional and most popular hammock material, polyester rope often has a longer outdoor life and is available in an assortment of colors. The classic design cradles your body while allowing the breeze to flow through its bed.
     Quilted fabric hammocks provide a full fabric bed, offering superior support and comfort. The quilted fabric selection makes a variety of colors and design options possible. You can select a particular pattern or hue that complements your home and outdoor furnishings. Quilted fabric hammocks are crafted of the latest weather-resistant and colorfast materials.
     The vinyl-coated, open-weave hammock combines the open-woven design of a rope hammock with the comfort of a full fabric bed, like that of a quilted hammock. It has a mesh composition that allows for easy airflow and is impervious to water, making it a perfect fit for poolside relaxing. The vinyl is coated so the hammock bed has added protection against the outdoor elements. Like quilted fabric hammocks, vinyl-coated, open-weave hammocks also come in numerous designs and colors.

COMPLETING THE RETREAT
     "Once you decide which hammock style you'd like for your fall retreat, you must contemplate how and where you'd like to support your hammock. Two perfectly positioned trees are no longer necessary to enjoy a hammock," says Laurie Rudd, creative director for The Hammock Source®, manufacturer of The Original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock®. "While most hammocks come with hooks for hanging between trees, a variety of stands also are available from which to suspend your hammock." They are easy to assemble, with some stands requiring no tools at all, leaving you free to install your hammock exactly where you want it. When purchasing accessories, like the hammock stands, look for items that are built for long outdoor life. Quality steel products should be protected with a durable outdoor finish such as powder coating. Offered in a variety of colors, hammock stands are made today to be a part of "backyard dressing." They are available in long-lasting stainless steel as well as the naturally weather-resistant cypress wood. Many accessories are available today to enhance hammock enjoyment.
     After you've selected your dream hammock and hanging device, you can begin accessorizing your personal fall retreat. A hammock pillow is the "icing on the cake," so to speak. It accents your hammock while adding extra comfort to the lounging experience.

AN AUTUMN RETREAT
     The autumn months provide the best time for outdoor improvement, as well as lying back and enjoying what you have accomplished under the picturesque setting of nature's golden, brown and auburn hues. Adding a hammock to your backyard paradise not only offers comfort and serves as a mode for relaxation, it also adds beauty to your yard.

For more information about The Original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock, call (800) 643-3522 or visit www.pawleys.com.

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