If you would like to be temporarily transported out of the doldrums of winter, then let me introduce you to Lotusland. While I haven't been there in person, I became acquainted with this spectacular garden last year in the Martha Stewart Living March issue, and it has been on my list of gardens to visit ever since. Lotusland is 37 acres with 17 gardens, all nestled in California's swank Montecito. While the grounds are quite impressive, to truly understand the gardens, you should first become acquainted with the garden's creator, Madame Ganna Walska. More

I love this true and honest account of using wood cuts for path making. As a professional I've never had the guts to try it because, if what happened on Jen's first run happened in a client's garden, well, clearly I would deserve to be fired. So I am grateful that Jen shared the ups and downs of her path project, and am curious as she comes in the the spring how the latest version faired. More

This type of corner is so common in so many backyards. Unruly, untouched and unloved, it is just not very friendly. This transformation is satisfyingly sensitive to the tree that shades the area and provides structure and turns something quite unappealing into something that is very sophisticated. See the step-by-step transformation below. More

As we head into the new year and try our best to refresh our lives with projects and resolutions, I thought of some of the most transformative garden makeovers that I have written about before. The kind that go from really nothing to really something. I'm participating in the January Cure (and blogging about it!), and this garden and the way it suddenly got all organized reminds me of my experiences so far. More

That's what Canadian Brigid Burton said when her daughter Kathleen Starrie brought home her boyfriend, Daniel Gray. Wanting to "keep him occupied," Brigid started filling cartons with colored water and setting them outside in anticipation of Daniel's visit. By the time the young couple arrived, Burton had prepared 500 multicolored ice bricks. An engineering student from New Zealand, Daniel rose to Burton's challenge and got to work in the backyard. More

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(more pics below)

Hot Tub: Sea Otter Woodworks
Cooler: Coleman Steel Belted
Stove: Japanese Chofu Wood Burning Heater
Marble Tiles: International Greecian 12 in. x 12 in. White Polished Marble Floor and Wall Tile - Home Depot

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You're probably not thinking of venturing outside today — even the South is feeling the grip of a bit of a winter chill. But what you can do is stay inside and peruse these beautiful outdoor spaces from some of our best Apartment Therapy House Tours of 2012. More

You really can start planting for the new year between Christmas and New Year's day! Continuing on my big bold bulb experiment (see "Summer to Fall" here), I finally got my act together, found a few hours and got some glorious spring and summer bulbs into the ground yesterday before it got really cold out here on Long Island. I even made a little movie of me shivering in the rain. :)

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Are you tired of it getting dark at 5 PM every day? I know I am, but we're in luck: this year's Winter Solstice fell on December 21st, which means that the days are getting longer, and that summer will come again, and that this is a perfect time to start thinking about sunny days and outdoor projects. Here are 10 of our favorite outdoor-space transformations from 2012. More

This past Spring and Summer we put a particular focus on outdoor content, complete with a subject specific Outdoor Channel and lots of posts devoted to getting out of the apartment. As part of that focus, we of course paid special attention to outdoor gear for small spaces. Because, let's face it, if you have only a fire escape or small balcony, you still need to make the most of it!

• 10 Outdoor Finds: Under $10
• Best Hammocks 2012
• Red, White & Blue Goes Modern: BBQ Goods with Style
• Summer Essentials: 9 Small Space Grills
• Reclaimed Wood Outdoor Furniture
• Patio Pop: Neon Accents for Outdoor Rooms
• Best Outdoor Dining Chairs 2012
• The Most Bella Bells (Plus A Few Wind Chimes For Good Measure)
• Take a Seat: 5 Fab Outdoor Chairs
• 8 Super Helpful, Totally Worth Schlepping Camping Accessories More