The summer heat doesn’t discriminate. But not everyone can excavate their backyard to make way for an inground swimming pool. Above-ground pools get a bad rap for no reason. All it takes is a stylish patio or strategically placed pool deck to make these swimming holes look as good as their inground counterparts. In fact, if you ask us, some...
Recent events have pushed homeowners to find new and versatile ways to utilize their outdoor spaces. In many cases, the solution is to convert all or part of their backyard into an outdoor room. Outdoor rooms aren’t identical to their interior counterparts. They tend to be more casual and built to withstand Mother Nature and all of her abuse. But...
“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” - Paulo Coelho Few things are more lowly than the common cinder block. But few things are more adaptable, more transformable than this basic concrete box. From fire pits to planters, from benches to walls, it’s easy and affordable to create something delightfully useful...
“This life is like a swimming pool. You dive into the water, but you can't see how deep it is.” - Dennis Rodman You’ve always wanted a swimming pool in your backyard. Now that you own your own home, you can finally have one. The first step is to decide what type and size of pool you can build. Consider...
It doesn’t take a professional landscaper to see why tropical gardens are currently all the rage. After all, who wouldn’t want their backyard to feel like a tropical island getaway 24/7? But giving your garden a tropical vibe isn’t as simple as planting a few palm trees and calling it a day. Creating one of these gardens requires an eye...
Even with the help of GPS, it can be hard to find a house if it lacks a visible house number. Not only is this annoying when trying to find a new friend’s home, it can be a safety issue if a first responder can’t easily distinguish your house from your neighbor’s. Creative house number ideas abound. Unless your homeowners’...
With the thriving housing market, curb appeal is at the forefront of many people’s minds. Even if you have no intention of selling your home anytime soon, updating the facade can be a quick, affordable way to make your house feel brand new. Just like in interior design, the details are what really make or break a home exterior. Changing...
Maybe your landscaping feels like it’s missing something. Or maybe you want to increase the diversity of plants and animals living on your property. These are just two of the many reasons to install a backyard pond. Few homeowners realize just how versatile a pond can be until they own one themselves. A backyard pond could be purely ornamental. It...
Contemporary gardens are inspired by trends from all over the world. Many such origins are given right in the name, as is the case with English, Meditteranean, and Japanese gardens. Japanese garden design takes inspiration from plants native to the islands, as well as Japanese art and culture as a whole. You don’t need to live in Japan to use...
“A gardener’s recipe: One part soil, two parts water, three parts wishful thinking.” If you love a beautiful landscape but your thumbs are less than green, low maintenance landscaping may be for you. Many novice gardeners are surprised to learn how many low maintenance options exist for those lacking the time or the skill for complicated gardening. Low maintenance landscaping...
