Page 41 - Dockside Magazine Muskoka, Summer/Fall 2018

Blue sky living
Outdoor spaces, indoor comfort
With hectic daily schedules – business meetings, traffic, task lists - homeowners and cottagers are increasingly creating an oasis right on
their own property. Be it your backyard or lakeside retreat, the lines between interiors
and exterior spaces are disappearing.
The ability to live outdoors yet control insects, climate and security is no longer a luxury, it’s an essential part of your lifestyle. Motorized screens, exterior solar shades and roll shutters are more than an add- on to outdoor living: they are becoming a standard feature. With recent innovation, these systems can be controlled from your phone or tablet.
They can be easily installed on existing structures with basic controls or planned in pre-construction to be hidden when recessed into finishing
material and networked with leading automation systems.
“Featuring a variety of mesh and fabric options, these systems provide protection against mosquitos, sun and wind when needed then roll away
to maintain an open feel and clean aesthetic when not in use,” says Scott Mitchell of Blue Sky Shade and Screen Solutions.
Blue Sky began installing retractable screens and solar shades almost 10 years ago
in Ottawa. Scott brings that experience and expertise – combined with 25 years in home improvement – to Muskoka, along with a diverse range of premium shade and screen products. This spring Blue Sky proudly partnered with Renson to become the organization’s ambassador to this area.
“We constantly explore for best-in-category products
with a focus on aesthetics, performance and reliability,” says Scott. “Our search led us all the way to Belgium, where we found a level of knowledge and product quality at Renson that is unmatched by North American manufacturers. This addition has truly raised the level of screen and shade solutions we offer.”
Renson’s Fixscreen product, powered by Somfy motors and controls, is a retractable exterior screen and shade system that can cover large openings up
to 26-feet wide by 18-feet
high. The system is tested to withstand winds of up to 130 km per hour in any position, making it ideal to enclose outdoor dining and living areas.
Blue Sky is most excited about the Camargue patio cover by Renson. Louvered roof patio covers are the next
evolution in outdoor living, and Europe is already there. Renson is one of the only manufacturers to seamlessly integrate optional powered Fixscreens, heat, light, and endless design elements into a sturdy aluminum structure.
The Camargue’s elegant design is surpassed only by its comfort: enjoy outdoor living through the day with rotating louvers allowing for as much or as little sun as you like. Complemented
by a Fixscreen system, the louvered roof shelter allows you to entertain guests or enjoy a quiet dinner no matter the weather. A built-in drainage system keeps the space dry and comfortable during rain.
“It moves with you through your day, adapting through the seasons, to bring indoor comfort to your new outdoor lifestyle.” DS
BY CHRIS OCCHIUZZI
705-704-1544 • info@blueskyliving.ca www.BlueSkyLiving.ca
Scott Mitchell,
of Blue Sky Shade and Screen Solutions
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