Winter is coming, are you prepared? Semco is, and we’ve got the salt to prove it. And when we say “we’ve got salt,” we don’t mean just bags, we mean heaping mountains of salt. That’s right, if you’re preparing for the winter season and have noticed that you’re running low on snow-melt and salt, then […]
EVERYTHING OUTDOOR LIVING
How do I do that?
Cozy Indoor Fireplace Ideas
The arctic blast is upon us once more! Anyone else remember when it was just called a cold front? We know it’s tough to resist the temptation to stay inside, warm up next to a cozy fire and sip a cup of hot chocolate. And it’s going to be even hard to leave home once […]
New Masonry Lodge Makes Contractor’s Lives WAY Easier
Celebration! Earlier this week Semco celebrated the grand opening of our new Masonry Lodge with barbecue, baseball and brews! From mid-afternoon until late into the night, the Semco crew and all of our Cincinnati area friends got together to take a first look at the new building. Plus we got to cheer on the Cincinnati […]
Fire Safety with Cincinnati Fire Pits
Semco Outdoor is your fall headquarters and we want you to come get your Cincinnati fire pit before the cold sets in (you’ll have more time to really enjoy it this way), but we also want you to be safe! We’re moving a lot of fire pits to DIYers this fall and that means there […]
Building Inspiring Cincinnati Spaces: Home Water Features
Water is the one element that represents both calming and cleansing. It’s why people find the sound of the ocean and streams so relaxing, and why some people add water features and ponds onto their own homes. This video says it all and has actually inspired a new television show, Pond Stars, premiering on National […]
Semco is the Cincinnati Unilock Dealer
Unilock delivers some of the most striking and long lasting stone in the industry, and now you can get it at all Semco Outdoor locations! Unilock is a specialty brand that offers virtually limitless design and construction possibilities. It’s specially designed to wear far better than conventional stone. Unilock believes so strongly in its products […]
DIY: Mason Jars as Garden Lamps with Natural Stone Patio
Happy Weekend Cincinnati DIYers out there! Today’s DIY Summer project is an easy one with big rewards! Mason jars are the famed vessels used for canning and preserving. Invented in Philadelphia in 1858 by John Mason, the jars, at that time combined with candle wax, allowed producers the unique ability to relatively easily seal and […]
DIY Summer: Dress Up That Ugly Concrete Pad with Pavers From Semco!
Is the concrete pad outside your back door causing you extreme boredom? Do your eyes hurt when looking at that bland, white slab plagueing your back yard? Get ready to dress it up with this week’s Summer of DIY tips and tricks! If you follow Semco’s blog, you probably know that we’re always encouraging people […]
Mosaic Art Patterns, Flagstone DIY Project Idea!
Mosaic is the art of using small pieces of material to create a whole image, and it’s an art that has been used since at least the third millennium BC in Mesopotamia. Today, we use all kinds of materials to create these unique pieces of art, like photographs, glass and even pebbles. So in the […]
Flagstone Fascination: Our Love of Natural Stone
Stone working, masonry, construction, decoration – we are fascinated by these inescapable and transformative technologies. For thousands of years, we’ve been developing newer technologies and building materials, but somehow we always come back to the things that remind us of our history and our home on this planet. Let me take a step back before I […]
Spring Mulch 101
Spring is finally upon us! Time for spring showers, spring cleaning and, of course, spring planting and gardening. After all the snow and frigid temperatures we had in the Cincinnati area this winter it sure sounds like fun to get outside and play in the dirt! If you’re heading out to spruce up your yard […]
Outdoor lighting
Daylight savings time may be coming to an end, but shorter days doesn’t have to mean less time spent outside. Instead, why not add lighting to your existing outdoor space? Depending on the type you choose, lighting can go a long way in helping set the tone of your space and creating a place you […]
Flagstone Flooring
Flagstone is generally thought of as a flooring option for outdoor spaces. But have you considered using it indoors? Natural stone is an ideal option for indoor flooring thanks to its durability, ease of maintenance and the variety of options available. Natural stone of any sort is a very durable surface and flagstone is no […]
Beautiful Bathrooms
Fall has arrived. The days are shorter, the nights are cooler and most homeowners’ thoughts turn to their home’s interior. From cozy fireplaces to elaborate entertaining spaces, there are many uses for natural stone inside your home. Have you ever considered adding stone in your bathroom like this install using Blue River Tumbled Machine Cut […]
Natural Stone Fireplaces
There’s nothing better than curling up by the fire on a chilly, fall night. Fireplaces add warmth and ambience, making spaces in your home, such as the living room, the ideal place for entertaining and hanging out with your family. By combining the elegance of a fireplace with the beauty of natural stone, you can […]
Installing Thin Stone Veneer
Natural stone is a beautiful way to add sophistication and classiness to any space. However, it can also be an intensive, sometimes costly venture that is overwhelming to some homeowners. For those homeowners who are not ready to make the full-size stone commitment, thin veneer stone offers a nice, lightweight alternative. Thin veneer stone is […]
Natural Stone in the kitchen
Although fall just arrived, it won’t be long before we’re talking about preparing for the holidays. Whether you entertain large groups or just do small family gatherings, most kitchen areas tend to get a lot of use during the holiday season. Why not upgrade your kitchen this year with the addition of natural stone? Natural […]
2013 Hardscape North America
Semco Stone and Semco Outdoor want you to join us at the 2013 Hardscape North America trade show on Oct. 24 and 25. Held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky this event is devoted entirely to the hardscape industry. Indoor and outdoor exhibits feature state-of-the-art tools, products, services and equipment specifically for the […]
The benefits of natural stone
We’ve talked a lot about adding stone to your home’s landscaping and interior but what exactly are the benefits of using natural stone? From its unique appearance to reduced heating and cooling costs, natural stone offers benefits that are sure to please any homeowner. Unique appearance. With the different shades and size variations of natural […]
Enjoying Labor Day Weekend Outdoors
Ah, Labor Day. The unofficial end of summer and a long weekend for many. If you’re one of the lucky ones to enjoy a three-day weekend, why not utilize your outdoor space and spend the weekend in the comfort of your own home? Whether you decide to have a large gathering or just a few […]
The Soothing Sounds of a Water Feature
Are you looking for a way to add peace and tranquility to an outdoor space? Maybe you just want to give your existing landscaping a little extra oomph. If so, why not consider the addition of a water feature using natural stone? Whenever water and outdoors are mentioned, the initial thought is a swimming pool. But there […]
Preparing for fall
Summer is winding down and while the days are still warm, the evenings are getting a little cooler. If you haven’t already, now is the time to think about making your patio or outdoor space one that can be enjoyed year round. From fireplaces and fire pits to outdoor lighting and decor, it’s never too […]
Adding Stone Indoors
When you think of stone what comes to mind? Many people immediately think of outdoor uses such as patios and walkways. But have you considered using stone indoors for entertaining spaces such as wet bars and fireplaces? At Semco we offer a variety of stone that you can use inside your home and enjoy year […]
The Landscaping Lowdown
Last week’s blog discussed adding curb appeal to your home’s front yard with stone walkways and driveways. Want to do something more? Or maybe you’re looking for a way to tie it all together? What about adding landscaping your yard with custom stone accents? When you think of landscaping, most just think of plants, flowers, […]
Creating Curb Appeal
We’ve talked a lot about creating beautiful outdoor spaces in the backyard, but what about the front yard? With cooler temperatures this summer, outdoor projects don’t seem as daunting as they normally do during a hot, humid summer in the Midwest. Why not take advantage of the weather and add a little curb appeal to your […]
Tips for a delicious dinner in your outdoor space
This Blue River Country Blend Tumbled Dimensional building stone makes for a beautiful addition to any outdoor grilling space. You’ve built a beautiful patio and it’s decorated to perfection. Now it’s time to sit down and enjoy it with your family and friends. There’s no better way to enjoy an amazing outdoor space then by […]
Beyond the pavers
Creating a beautiful outdoor space goes beyond just installing a patio. From decorative touches to your existing space to installing beautiful stone fire pits and retaining walls, the possibilities are endless and there’s something for every budget. Fire pits & fireplaces Hard to imagine now, but it won’t be long before the days start getting […]
Tips for hosting a successful 4th of July gathering
Fourth of July is a great time for an outdoor get together. From food to seating to decorations, planning a celebration requires time and organization but that doesn’t have to equal stress. Here are a few tips for making a get together as enjoyable and stress free as possible. • Decorations. When it comes to decorating your […]
Custom Patio Installs
From unwinding with your family to entertaining friends, a custom patio install is a great addition to any home. In addition to increasing your home’s property value and curb appeal, a well-planned outdoor space can provide you and your family with more living space. There are several things to take into consideration when planning a […]
