Entertain Like a Pro This Summer: The Outdoor Living Setup CT Homeowners Are Building Right Now

What if your backyard was the place everyone wanted to be this summer? Not just a yard with a grill and a couple of chairs — but a genuine outdoor destination. A space with shade when you need it, fire when the evening cools down, and a kitchen setup that makes every meal an event.

That’s what we mean when we talk about a backyard oasis — and at Four Seasons Fire & Hearth in Thomaston, CT, we carry everything you need to build one. From the SolarShield retractable awning overhead to the HearthStone fire pit glowing at the center of it all, here’s how the right combination of products transforms an ordinary Connecticut backyard into the place you never want to leave.

Start With Shade — The SolarShield Retractable Awning

Every great outdoor living space starts with comfort — and comfort in a Connecticut summer means having shade when the afternoon sun is at its most intense. A SolarShield retractable awning gives you complete control over your outdoor environment.

Extend it during the hottest part of the day to keep your patio or deck cool and comfortable. Retract it in the evening to open up to the sky. Available in hundreds of fabric colors and patterns, every SolarShield awning is custom-built to your exact specifications — your size, your fabric, your style.

SolarShield is a family-owned, Disabled American Veteran-Owned American manufacturer backed by an unparalleled warranty program. Their exclusive Sunesta Fabric Collection offers more customization options than any other manufacturer — so your awning doesn’t just function perfectly, it looks like it was always meant to be part of your home.

Why a retractable awning belongs in your backyard oasis:

• On-demand shade and weather protection
• Blocks UV rays that fade outdoor furniture
• Reduces indoor temperatures and energy costs
• Custom-designed to coordinate with your home’s exterior
• Available with motorized operation and automatic wind sensors

Fire Up the Genio Pizza Oven

Once you have shade, it’s time to talk about food — and nothing elevates outdoor cooking quite like a wood-fired pizza oven. The Genio pizza oven from HearthStone Outdoor brings authentic, high-temperature wood-fired cooking to your backyard in a beautifully crafted, durable package.

The Genio reaches the temperatures that make wood-fired pizza possible — the kind of heat that chars the crust perfectly in just a few minutes while developing a depth of flavor that a conventional oven simply can’t match. But the Genio is far more versatile than pizza alone. Roasted vegetables with a perfect char, artisan bread with a crackling crust, seared proteins, whole roasted fish — everything that comes out of a wood-fired oven is simply better.

Why the Genio belongs in your backyard oasis:

• Authentic wood-fired temperatures for perfect results
• Versatile — pizza, bread, meats, vegetables, and more
• Beautifully designed to complement any outdoor space
• HearthStone’s signature craftsmanship and durability
• Makes cooking outdoors an experience, not just a meal

Add the Brabura Outdoor Griddle

While the Genio handles your wood-fired cooking, the Brabura outdoor griddle takes care of everything else. A flat-top griddle does things a traditional grill simply can’t — smash burgers with a perfect crust, crispy breakfast hash, seared scallops, fajitas, stir-fry, grilled cheese. The flat cooking surface gives you complete control over heat distribution and opens up a world of outdoor cooking possibilities.

The Brabura is built for serious outdoor cooking — durable, outdoor-rated, and designed for Connecticut’s four-season climate. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a Tuesday night or feeding a crowd at a summer gathering, the Brabura delivers consistently excellent results every time.

Why the Brabura belongs in your backyard oasis:

• Flat surface opens up far more cooking possibilities than a grill
• Even heat distribution for consistent results
• Perfect for smash burgers, breakfast, seafood, stir-fry, and more
• Pairs beautifully with the Genio for a complete outdoor kitchen
• Built to handle Connecticut weather season after season

Gather Around the HearthStone Fire Pit

As the evening cools and the sun goes down, the fire pit becomes the heart of your backyard oasis. There’s something primal and universal about gathering around a fire — it draws people together, slows the pace of the evening, and extends outdoor time well past sunset.

HearthStone outdoor fire pits bring the same quality and craftsmanship that defines their indoor stove and fireplace products to your outdoor space. Available in wood-burning and gas models, HearthStone fire pits are built for long-term outdoor durability in Connecticut’s four-season climate.

Choose wood-burning for the authentic crackling fire experience — no utility hookup, just the real thing. Choose gas for instant ignition at the push of a button with zero cleanup. Either way, a HearthStone fire pit becomes the gathering point that every great backyard oasis needs.

Why a HearthStone fire pit belongs in your backyard oasis:

• Extends your outdoor season well into fall
• Creates the natural focal point of any outdoor gathering
• Adds warmth, ambiance, and visual appeal
• Available in wood-burning and gas models
• Pairs perfectly with the Genio and Brabura for a complete outdoor experience

The Complete Backyard Oasis — Put It All Together

Here’s what a summer evening looks like when you have it all:

The SolarShield awning is extended through the afternoon, keeping your patio comfortable while you prep. As the sun drops, you fire up the Genio and let it come to temperature. The Brabura is loaded up — smash burgers on one side, corn on the other. The kids are gathered around watching the pizza go in. After dinner, everyone gravitates to the HearthStone fire pit. The fire crackles, the s’mores come out, and nobody wants to go inside.

That’s not a fantasy. That’s what our customers build every summer — and it all starts with a visit to our showroom at 82 S. Main St. in Thomaston.

Visit Our Thomaston Showroom

Every product we’ve described is on display at Four Seasons Fire & Hearth. Our team is knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely excited to help you figure out the right combination for your outdoor space, your lifestyle, and your budget. No pressure — just real expertise and a showroom full of products that make Connecticut summers better.

Why Choose Four Seasons Fire & Hearth?

• Affordable — quality outdoor living products at honest, competitive prices
• Reliable — we stand behind every product we carry and every installation we perform
• Quality — HearthStone and SolarShield are industry leaders known for durability and craftsmanship
• Trustworthy — our team helps you find the right fit for your space and budget
• Local — we’re a central Connecticut business that knows these homes and these seasons

Contact us today or stop into our Thomaston showroom. And check out our financing options to make your backyard oasis more accessible than you might think.

Towns and Areas We Serve

Four Seasons Fire & Hearth serves homeowners throughout central Connecticut and Fairfield County, including:

• Thomaston, CT
• Watertown, CT
• Waterbury, CT
• Litchfield, CT
• Plymouth, CT
• Bristol, CT
• Southbury, CT
• Woodbury, CT
• Torrington, CT
• Harwinton, CT
• Naugatuck, CT
• Fairfield County, CT

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see all of these products in person?

Yes — the HearthStone fire pit, Genio pizza oven, Brabura griddle, and SolarShield awnings are all on display at our Thomaston showroom. Come in and our team will walk you through everything.

Do you handle installation?

Yes — Four Seasons Fire & Hearth handles installation for both our outdoor fire features and SolarShield awning systems.

Can a retractable awning be used near a fire pit or pizza oven?

Yes — with proper placement. The awning should be positioned so it’s not directly over or near any open flame when extended. Our team will advise on the ideal layout during your consultation.

Do you offer financing?

Yes — visit our financing page to explore current options on qualifying purchases.

What’s the difference between the Genio pizza oven and the Brabura griddle?

The Genio is a wood-fired oven that reaches very high temperatures — ideal for pizza, bread, and roasted dishes. The Brabura is a flat-top griddle for everyday outdoor cooking — burgers, breakfast, seafood, and more. Together they give you a complete outdoor kitchen capability.

Your Best Summer Starts Here

Don’t spend another Connecticut summer wishing your backyard was something more. The products, the expertise, and the inspiration are all waiting at our Thomaston showroom.

Contact Four Seasons Fire & Hearth today and let’s start building your backyard oasis.