One of the most memorable times of my life was the week I spent in Hawaii for my brother’s wedding. The resort on the beach, the sunshine, the warm weather, the mai tais and Lava Flows, morning... more »

Summer is the height of gardening season. Farmer's markets and roadside stands are filled with fresh produce, while home gardens are at the peak of production. It’s a time when eating fresh and healthy is easy and enticing. To reach this stage,... more »

If your patio is not inviting, you're unlikely to take full advantage of it. But just one move can completely transform your patio from a boring slab of concrete into an inviting outdoor room. Assess how much time, money and help you have, and figure... more »

More than nearly any other outdoor feature I can think of, a fireplace (or fire pit or bowl) instantly makes the yard the place where everyone wants to be. It easily becomes the focal point of a space, drawing friends and family together around its warm... more »

I bet I know what you’re doing right now. You’re looking for ideas for your garden, hoping to find that one inspiring photo that starts your creative juices flowing. The one that results in an “ah ha!” moment and breaks a stubborn case of designer’s... more »

By snapping up the teardown next door, this retired Texas business owner was able to expand her garden to the east side of her Fort Worth home. "East-side gardens are very desirable in Texas, due to the intense afternoon sun from the west; now her house... more »

The owners of this Toronto townhouse have neighbors on both sides, but they still wanted to take full advantage of their spacious rooftop patio. Privacy was an issue, as was the narrow space, and they wanted to make the outdoor lounge low... more »

Water in the garden is magical; even more so when it's adjacent to the house, requiring us to cross it to reach the front door. Maybe the magic comes from childhood stories of castles and moats, but moats certainly don't exist only in castles. Traditionally... more »

If you are looking to make a lasting change in your outdoor space, you can't beat the durability and style of built-in seating. Fresh patio furniture is fabulous, but the right built-in bench, designed to suit your space to a T, can make your patio feel... more »

If you've been working on getting your patio in shape, show it off in the best possible way by choosing the right entrance. This mini guide is designed to get the inspiration flowing, so you can get started building the patio of your dreams. From... more »

I love rock in the garden, but I particularly love gravel and other small rocks. I work them into nearly every design I create for my clients, as well as in my own landscape. Why the love affair with gravel? It serves many purposes, from solving drainage... more »

Enhance those long, leisurely evenings on the patio with the right lighting. From subtle landscape lighting and string lights that cast a soft glow to sconces, pendants and more, these ideas will help spark your imagination and plan that perfect patio.... more »

Some landscape design dilemmas can't be solved by adding more plants. Towering trees can cast dense shade, creating an inhospitable environment where even weeds can't grow. Narrow gardens are often cursed with poor soil as well as imposing restrictions... more »

Have you ever found yourself running back and forth between cooking indoors and cooking outdoors on a warm afternoon? The best way to prevent this from happening is to properly design your outdoor kitchen so that it can function like your indoor... more »