Surely you have heard that you never get a second chance to make a first impression so why would you allow an old, generic, rusty mailbox the opportunity to create a boring one for you and your home? It is surprising just how many houses you can pass while driving or out walking that display a dynamic exterior and stunning landscaping yet their mailbox is simply shameful.

Many people seem to just overlook this minor detail which is rather unfortunate because it’s your welcoming mat to your property. Even if you have a mailbox attached to your home and you have an actual postal carrier who walks through heat, rain and snow to deliver your mail, doesn’t your home deserve a piece of modern art that demands attention on the outside? You might even give your mail deliver person something to smile about everyday. It’s the small, subtle pieces like these that make your home memorable, stand out above the rest and even more attractive than it already is.

Contemporary mailboxes come in quite a large assortment of designs, materials and colors so no matter what your home looks like on the outside, you are guaranteed to find one that will compliment it!

Fall is here, and you’ve no doubt already seen its withering effects on your perennials as they die off for the colder months. Gardens are a lovely addition to any home’s landscaping, but it can be a bit disheartening to care for them all spring and summer, only to watch them fade to brown come winter.

Rock gardens can help combat the retreat of your flowerbeds. Always a staple in modern landscaping, rock gardens feature large and small colorful rocks scattered artistically across a front or back yard. Here are the basic steps to create your own rock garden, so you can have a beautiful yard all year round:

1. Choose the location for your rock garden. If you want to place it in a large, sprawling space, you’ll need more rocks and a more natural design concept than if you want only a small rock garden bed amidst other landscaping elements.
2. Find the rocks that you’ll use in the garden. When choosing rocks, consider the color (do you want red sandstone or grey limestone?), size, and shape of your rocks. Large, oddly shaped rocks are often the centerpieces of a rock garden.
3. Choose the plants that will accent your rocks. Some believe that the plants you choose should only be those that grow naturally amongst rocks, while other go for sprigs of bright color amidst the stones. The choice is yours.
4. Place, plant and position your rock garden. You’ll likely need help from a strong friend or a landscaper when moving the heavy boulders and rocks around your yard, so before you even begin you should have a solid design plan in your head to minimize the amount of lifting.
5. Enjoy your year-round landscape!

Fire up the BBQ and get ready for summer. There is nothing more fulfilling than having friends and family over for a nice backyard BBQ. But without the right patio set, you’ll be hard pressed to give your guests the relaxing summer’s evening they deserve. At Patio Productions, you’ll find a variety of patio furniture to meet any needs, all with the modern home as their inspiration for design. The many Outdoor Dining Sets on Patio Production feature weather-proof construction, and are designed for anywhere between two to eight people. One of the best sellers is the Arbor 7 Pc Outdoor Wicker Dining Set, featuring outdoor grade cream seat cushions atop all-weather wicker and a thick gage aluminum frame. It includes six chairs and a matching wicker table, with an optional sunbrella upgrade. You can enjoy the outdoors in comfort with this sturdy, attractive outdoor dining set. For a storage-friendly outdoor dining set, try the Origami Outdoor Wicker Dining Set. The square glass-top wicker table can store the four large espresso wicker chair underneath its tabletop when not in use. And when your guests show up, all you have to do is slide out two or four of the chairs, and you’ve got a bold and fashionable place to soak in the sun.

Create your own backyard wonderland. One part relaxing and two parts mystical, this Falling Water Fountain will brighten your backyard and sooth your soul. Featuring the smooth, serene sounds of trickling water, this fountain effortlessly creates an ambiance of calm. It is hand crafted from four plates of double-coated powdered metal, which are stacked in four tiers. The bright blue lily pads hold and let fall a steady trickle of water that will gently echo through your entire yard. It is available in a rich azure color, or you can call for custom color options. The Falling Water Fountain can be purchased from InMod.com for $1,699.00.

Exotic dining. Whether outdoors on the patio or in your breakfast nook, this dining set will be an invigorating addition to your home. With a sure sense of style and a rich base color, this ultra-tall pub table and matching pair of chairs is ideal as a central design element in its environment. The Bocca Rattan brand allows customers to customize the fabric covering, offering a wide selection of over 100 indoor and outdoor fabrics, so you can truly have a piece that reflects your design style. And the sturdy frames will remain in excellent condition whether they are placed outside or inside. The Moroccan Pub Round Glass Dining Furniture Set by Boca Rattan can be purchased at Gowfb.com for $899.00.

Reflect the lighter side of your garden. You can bring a touch of the faerie world to your own backyard with the strategic placement of the Blomus – Polished Bola Garden Globe Set. These reflective stainless steel spheres are serene and modern, and will subtly add a new dimension to your garden. By reflecting the lights and color in their surroundings, these globes will accentuate anything they are near, while adding an overall serene and calm presence. Any modern patio, garden or yard would appear a little more ethereal with the subtlety these spheres will bring. You will find the Blomus – Polished Bola Garden Globe Set at AllModernFurniture.com for $17.18 – $253.88, depending on the size(s) you choose.

Be bold in the wild. Your outdoor patio or poolside should be versatile, weather-resistant and reflect your modern sensibilities. This All-Weather Wicker Coffee Table will not only offer your guests a place to set their drinks, but it will also make your entire patio collection pop. The black, chunky and blocky form is a bold move, and the chrome feet will tie it together with any modern outdoor furniture you currently have. And the wicker material is weather-resistant, so you can enjoy the simple style of this table year-round. The All Weather Wicker Coffee Table is available at ModernLineFurniture.com for $199.95.

Pristine patio perfection. The all-American style of outdoor furniture meets a unique modern flair in this Companion Outdoor Bar Table. The table is made of thick lines and uses southern yellow pine as its base. This renewable American wood is stained in your choice of a number of colors, including apple green, white, Caribbean blue, natural and many more. It is then given a distressed finish, which makes it appear authentically weather-worn and well-loved. Your outdoor dining experience will benefit from the stability and the southern country style that this table will bring. The Companion Outdoor Bar Table is available at Spacify.com for $532.00.

Outdoor inspirations. For all your rest or play needs, the Cot Day Bed from la-Fete will provide. It appears almost like a modern sculpture, but is so carefully constructed for comfort and durability that you won’t want to come in even after the sun has gone down. The patent polymeric technology that these cots use in their construction is the same that is found on many yachts and beach resorts around the world. They have a comfortable foam core that is coated with a substance that ensure that chlorine and other spills won’t reduce the sheen. And the Cot Daybed is available in four colors, to perfectly match any of your current outdoor decor. The Cot Daybed can be found at PlushPod.com for $1,360.00.

Style carved from the earth. Bring some nature into your livingroom with the Element Coffee Table. This table is perfect for a cottage, in a protected outdoor setting, or in any daring livingroom that is looking to carve out its own, unique style. This stone table is made from a combination of granite, stone, marble and natural cement fibers. And not only is it made from natural materials, it is made in an eco-friendly facility that avoids the use of fossil fuel. So be kind to your planet while you are upgrading your interior. The Element Coffee Table can be found at CB2.com for $349.00.

Take advantage of the coming warm weather by slipping into the Fatboy Heddemock Hammock this spring and summer. There is nothing more relaxing than lying back in a gently swaying hammock, listening to lapping waves or the faint laughter of children, and soaking in the sun. With the Fatboy Hammock, you and your significant other can both enjoy the laid-back sling comfortably – it measures 110-inches in length and 55-inches across, making it one of the largest hammocks on the market. Not only is the specially coated nylon fabric of this hammock durable, but it is also easy to clean with a damp cloth. This hammock is available in red, black, white, lime, sand, taupe and turquoise. The Fatboy Headdemock Hammock can be found at DesignPublic.com for $399.oo.

Enjoy the breeze with some carefree style. The resin wicker that this Modern All-Weather Furniture Set is made from ensures that you won’t have to worry about the weather – you can just lean back and soak in the sun, comfortable with the knowledge that your furniture is durable as well as stylish. The frame is made from rust-proof, powder coated aluminum for that extra weather protection. The table features a tempered frosted glass tabletop, and the chairs have deep seating cushions to make your outdoor dining experience comfortable and pleasurable. This set is perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, family and friend gatherings and casual luncheons in the cool breeze. You’ll find this Modern All-Weather Furniture at ModernLineFurniture.com for $995.95.