Outdoor/Landscape

Recent innovations in lighting have made it easier and more energy-efficient than ever to brighten up a home’s exterior. The clearest advantages of energy-efficient exterior lighting are that most fixtures require little maintenance, involve simple installation and provide long-range cost savings. But before you choose a system, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, determine y… Read more...

With the warm-weather months in full effect, outdoor spaces transform into the living rooms of the season, and there’s no shortage of pieces to furnish them. From wicker to stainless steel and outdoor daybeds to simple loungers, there’s something for every space and budget. Select your suite materials The first step in selecting your new outdoor furniture suite is to decide on a style, and… Read more...

When deciding how to landscape your property, don’t just think groundcover; look up and examine the vertical possibilities, as well. Incorporating plants into your home’s exterior can soften the look of architectural features, offer thermal-regulation properties (reducing the heat gain of your home), improve your home’s stormwater management and even increase your property value. Ivy improv… Read more...

Consider your landscape a canvas. Your artistry with plants, hardscapes and other features can make the space a customized refuge where you can enjoy fresh air and a natural environment. Add a fountain, pond or waterfall, and you’ve got a relaxing, tranquil getaway. “A water feature can increase a home’s resale value as well as add a unique aesthetic complement to a home’s landscaping,”… Read more...

Q: I’m considering starting a compost pile in my yard. What are some of the basics I should know before I get started?A: Utilizing compost is a great method for creating a humus-rich garden. You can obtain bagged compost from a local retailer or you may be able to go to a nearby horse farm and buy manure, but choosing either of these options will result in the material having to be hauled to you… Read more...

Whether you want to bring a fresh look to your home’s exterior or are looking to add elegant accents to your yard, stone is a popular, natural material that has been used for ages, and its strength and beauty will never go out of style. “Stone is a natural product that is thousands of years old when quarried; it will continue to withstand the test of time,” says Hugh Dixon of StoneAge Stones… Read more...

Is your basement or garage overflowing with tools, sports equipment and gardening supplies? Sometimes you just need a little extra space for stowing all those outdoor extras, and a storage shed may be the answer. Whether you choose a shed that’s custom-designed for your needs or decide to go with a pre-designed kit, you can create a new, well-organized space for whatever it is you need to stash… Read more...

The biggest trend this year is bringing the inside out. “People want to do a whole outdoor room—a full kitchen built for the outdoors,” says Randall Burks of Lowe’s. The main consideration you need to make before purchasing an outdoor kitchen is how long you plan on staying at your current residence. “An outdoor kitchen is a permanent part of your house,” Burks says. “If a move is in… Read more...

Consider your landscape a canvas. Your artistry with plants, hardscapes and other features can make the space a customized refuge where you can enjoy fresh air and a natural environment. Include in that refuge a fountain, pond and/or waterfall, and you’ve got a relaxing, tranquil getaway. “A properly installed water feature will add value to your home and value to your quality of life,” say… Read more...

What do you think of when you hear the word “autumn”? For most, the image of a countryside radiant with orange-, yellow- and red-leafed trees comes to mind. Whether on the trees or in our home decor, these warm tones are synonymous with the fall season, perhaps to continue the glow of summer as the cool weather fast approaches. And, as the leaves begin to fall from the trees on and around your… Read more...