Over the summer one of our neighbors purchased an affordable fire pit (or "hippie campfire" model) for all of us to enjoy, and during the warmer months our next door friends notably enjoyed many of nights sharing wine, laughs and warmth by the glow of an open fire. We should tell them they've blazed alongside tastemakers and celebrities according to today's New York Times! The trend of outdoor fireplaces inspired by the likes of the Parker Palm Spring Hotel are becoming central and prominent fixtures in the backyards of homes in Venice and Silver Lake. Our favourite cited being a Brentwood fireplace with Venetian-crystal chandelier and a tree-hung that really takes the insides out, an extreme (and luxurious) extension of the outdoor California lifestyle that makes the humble fire pit outside a bit quaint....
Outdoor Fireplaces: "The Poor Man's Pool"
The New York Times 2.26.09
[Photos: Stephanie Diani]
We had not heard the term the "poor man’s pool" until reading the NY Times' Fireplaces Step Out for Air (maybe because we're more closely aligned with the term than we know), but we have to say after our own recent experience with a outdoor fireplace on a cool evening we can attest to an outdoor fireplace's magical ability to make even just sitting around doing darn well nothing a special and romantic experience (to come to think about it, doing nothing is a luxury).
Here's a few modern and affordable to less than affordable outdoor fireplaces to brighten up your background or commons area:
- Blomus - 12" Fuoco Tabletop Gel Fire Pit
- Wall Mount Indoor / Outdoor Gel Fireplace
- Portable Propane Fire Pits RV Sytle
- Roundell Firepit
[Photos: Stephanie Diani]
Comments (9)
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This article cracked me up - the first interview was with a guy who spent $150,000 on his landscaping. Not exactly a poor man, eh?
I do agree though - I love me an outdoor fireplace.
view hessilou's profile
Yeah, do you know how much those rocks cost inside that fireplace?!?! They're not just gardern stones...
view tifacola's profile
Here's my "Poor Man's Fireplace": 1. Dig a pit in your backyard. 2. Put a ring of rocks or bricks around it. Cost = nothing if you use found rocks or bricks.
Other DIY fireplaces I've seen that are much less expensive than the ones in this article: A mud adobe pizza oven, the metal barrel from an old industrial sized washing machine, and of course and old barrel a la "bum style"
view Lizzy C's profile
I built one in my back yard a few years ago using 200 yr old paving stones from the downtown region. Needless to say, we didn't spend anywhere near $150,000. I think we spent about $150 total! All it took was about 3 bags of concrete to lay down the foundation, some mortar and some elbow grease. We based the size on the size of a round BBQ grill grate. In the winter we host frequent oyster roasts. In the spring and fall we can extend the use of the yard for a few extra months. We love having Friday night fires with friends. I highly recommend them.
view mntwmyn 's profile
I'm pretty sure it is (or soon will be) illegal to build an indoor or outdoor wood-burning fireplace or pit in LA county. Pollutants. These are all gas, now. Or some of those other hi-tech (expensive) options.
view arroyo's profile
... so it's kind of a laugh to call it a "poor man's pool."
view arroyo's profile
arroyo - you are right about fireplaces in LA and surrounding areas. The South Coast AQMD has jurisdiction over incorporated areas of LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
AQMD’s Rule 445 includes the following provisions:
* Beginning March 9, 2009, only fireplaces fueled by gas (such as gas logs) may be installed in a new residential or commercial building in the Southland. Permanently installed indoor or outdoor wood-burning fireplaces or stoves are not permitted after this date in new construction;
view LilyC's profile
This is very cool. Totally un-green, but very cool.
view Blandwagon's profile
i'd really check out Unilock's outdoor fireplaces. i've seen them with firetables, and firepits. it def goes right along with the article. the cool thing about it though, is they also have 'green' products like permeable pavers, so you can incorporate an earth-friendly element into your landscape.
view kc_chicago's profile