Valentina, Author at Ombrasole Awnings

The Evening of October 15: How the TCL Pushed Back the End of Summer

It’s 7:00 p.m. on October 15. The sun has just dipped below the rooftops of the houses across the street, and the light has taken on that distinctive hue, golden, low in the sky, almost horizontal, that you only see in the fall and that gives everything it touches the look of a Flemish painting.…

We spend 90% of our lives indoors. What if we changed that?

Take a moment to really think about it. Yesterday, how many hours did you spend outside, not in a car, not in an underground parking garage, not in a shopping mall, but truly outside, in the open air, under the sky? If you’re like most Canadians, the honest answer is startling. A study by the…

September is coming—Your Eolo Pergola? Still trouble-free

There’s something melancholic about the month of September in Quebec. The days are getting shorter, the evening air is getting cooler, and somewhere in the back of your mind, a list of things to do before winter begins to take shape. The patio furniture needs to be moved into the garage. The umbrella needs to…

Wasps have taken over your balcony: How Mitico reclaims the territory

You know the scene. It’s a lovely evening; you’ve set out the glasses, there are people gathered around the table, and everyone’s in a good mood. And then they show up. First one, which we absentmindedly shoo away. Then two, three. Someone knocks over their glass while waving their hands. The kids start to panic.…

Traditional or Vivace Pergola: Why Fixed Roofs Are a Thing of the Past

For years, the traditional pergola has been the classic solution for designing a patio. It is a fixed structure, usually made of wood or aluminum, with a permanent roof that remains in exactly the same position regardless of the weather. But the ways we enjoy our outdoor spaces have changed. And in Quebec, where sunshine,…

You probably bought your patio furniture at the wrong place

Let’s face it. When we set up a patio, almost all of us follow the same order. First, the table, because it’s the centerpiece, the focal point around which everything else is arranged. Next come the chairs, the cushions, and maybe a garden sofa for the lounge area. Then the BBQ, a must-have in Quebec.…

Your Balcony as a Summer Office: How the TCL Creates the Ideal Conditions for Working Outdoors

It’s a tempting idea. The weather is nice, you have a day full of Zoom meetings and tasks to tackle, and your balcony is calling you. Why not work outside for a change? You take out your laptop, settle in, and… within ten minutes, you’re back inside. The screen is unreadable in the sunlight. The…

South-facing patio: What’s the best way to stay cool?

A south-facing terrace is one of those real estate perks that you celebrate when you buy a home and start to regret by mid-July. In May and September, it’s perfect: The sun pleasantly warms the space, you enjoy the light from morning until evening, and cool days become comfortable ones. But as soon as July…

What Is a Bioclimatic Pergola? A Complete Guide

The term “bioclimatic” is on everyone’s lips in the world of outdoor design—but what does it really mean? And more importantly, how does a bioclimatic pergola actually change the way you experience your outdoor space? If you’ve heard this term before but aren’t quite sure what sets a bioclimatic pergola apart from a regular one,…

Are manual screens still a good choice in 2026?

It’s a question worth asking honestly. In 2026, at a time when thermostats are controlled from a phone, interior blinds open automatically depending on the time of day, and home automation is making its way into every corner of the house, does a manual outdoor blind still have a place? The instinctive answer would be…