Home Improvement: Take It Outside

This season's blue skies mean spending more time on green lawns. Spruce up outdoor spaces with these products designed to make the backyard a haven for summer relaxation.

 

Ligne Roset Sous Mon Arbre Outdoor Lamp

French for "under my tree," Sous Mon Arbre is an indoor/outdoor garden lamp ($665) equipped with a metal hook that can be used to hang the fixture on the branch of a tree. It can also be suspended from a wall or rest freely on a table or ground surface. Designed by Paris-based Florian Brillet and introduced last fall by Ligne Roset, the lamp features an ash wood handle and a shade of rustproof aluminum with a silk white lacquer finish.

 

Frontgate 40-Liter European Outdoor Solar Shower

This solar-powered shower ($1,599) simply attaches to a garden hose and uses the sun's energy to heat the water-no plumbing required. The curved design, which holds a 40-liter tank, features a hot-cold mixer that allows the user to adjust the water to a desired temperature. The shower, available in five colors (shown in cherry), is made of a corrosion-resistant aluminum that can withstand marine environments.

 

John T. Unger Studio Big Bowl O' Zen Sculptural Fire Bowl

According to artist John T. Unger, every home needs a center of serenity. His Big Bowl O' Zen ($1,500) brings balance to any landscape and provides abundant warmth on a chilly evening. Hand-cut from heavy-duty, recycled cold-rolled steel, the 145-pound fire bowl is 37 inches in diameter and rests on a slim base. It is suitable for wood burning and ships ready-to-fit for clean-burning propane or natural gas.