Buyer’spick
Kim Thomas,
Lawn and Garden Buyer
FRANCE FREEMAN
MANY PATIO SETS look alike—at
first. But depending on what the
fabric is made of, it might not
look that good after just a few years.
That’s why fade-resistant Sunbrella and
Elbertex, from Glen Raven, are the fabrics
of choice for the patio sets and umbrellas
that members will find at Costco.
All of Costco’s umbrellas, except the
beach and small market umbrellas, use
Sunbrella, and all of Costco’s patio sets
that have fabric use Sunbrella or Elbertex.
I believe they are the best outdoor fabrics
on the market. They resist stains and
mildew as well as fading, and cleaning is
a breeze. In addition, when used outdoors,
Sunbrella and Elbertex last much longer
than other fabrics.
Most other patio sets and umbrellas
use olefin-based fabric that breaks down
faster when exposed to the elements,
since the colors are simply on the fabric’s
exterior. Sunbrella and Elbertex fabrics
are made from 100 percent solution-dyed
acrylic yarn, so the color goes all the way
through the fabric and looks beautiful
year after year. C
Backyard makeover
c ontest
PHOTODISC
IF YOU’RE INSPIRED to create an outdoor living
space at your home, you could win a $500 Costco
Cash card.
Just send before-and-after photos of your backyard remodel and a brief description of what you feel
you accomplished. This could be an outdoor kitchen
and eating area, a play space for the kids, a quiet
retreat in the corner of your garden or whatever is
appropriate for your yard.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges
whose decisions will be final. One second-prize win-
ner will receive a $250 Costco Cash card; one third-
prize winner a $100 Costco Cash card. Submissions
may be featured in a future issue of The Connection.
All entries must be received by September 1,
2006. Winners will be notified by mail by October 31,
2006. Send your photos and write-up along with your
Costco membership number to: Outdoor Living
Contest, P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Winners are responsible for
applicable federal, state and local taxes. Employees of Costco Wholesale and their
families are not eligible to enter. One entry per household.
Fire-pit
tips
• Make sure your fire
pit is placed away from
structures and any other
combustible materials.
• Keep in mind your
existing landscaping and
architecture when choosing
a fire-pit design.
• Set up your fire pit so it
can also serve as a barbecue,
social setting and effective
outside light source.
• Fire-pit construction
should be sturdy and
weather resistant, and the
design should take into
consideration weather and
prevailing winds.
• Consider mobile fire pits
and grills, which cost less
and can be moved as needed.
• For enjoyment, and safety,
locate your fire pit where it
can be seen from inside.
• Check with your local
fire department to make sure
your outdoor fire meets city
fire codes.—TFJ
Playing
with fire
WHETHER IT’S A COOL summer evening or one
of those crisp winter nights, there’s something
exceptionally comforting about an outdoor fire. Just
as guests invariably migrate to the kitchen, people
are drawn to a fire. A fire acts as a common hub, and
outdoor grills and barbecues not only bring meals
and parties outside, they extend the outdoor season.
MIRAGE STONE
“Outdoor living rooms, complete with comfortable furniture, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces,
continue to gain popularity with homeowners,”
says Jim Nelson, buyer for Costco. pits mean that somebody always has smoke in their
Warming up an outdoor living room is easy eyes,” says Jim. “But today’s natural gas and propane
with the outdoor fire-pit and fireplace designs avail- fireplaces and fire pits give you the allure of a camp-able today. They bring the traditional hearth out- fire with a clean burn.”—T. Foster Jones
side with weather-resistant construction plus many
of the features of indoor fireplaces.
“Outside fire pits can add charm to very small The Costco Connection
spaces,” Jim says, “and portable fire pits are less Members can find a selection of attractively styled
costly than traditional fireplaces.” outdoor fire pits, cooking pits and patio sets as well
Whether it burns wood, natural gas or propane, as pond sets, fountains, lawn seed, fertilizer, flowers,
a fire pit or outdoor fireplace lets you enjoy a tradi- plants, hoses, nozzles, Honda-powered lawnmowers
tional campfire in your own backyard without the and more at Costco and costco.com to help create
traditional hassles. “Old-fashioned campfires or fire the perfect outdoor living space.
