As we slog through the dog days of summer, I can't help but long for the shady cool of a grassy green roof. Enterprising city dwellers with limited square footage have long embraced the roof as an outdoor haven for grass or veggies, and even homes with plenty of space can reap some major benefits from growing a roof. More

If you are anything like myself, you have spent a fair amount of your youth (and beyond) imagining what it would be like to stop in for tea at Bag's End or catch a quick supper and a pint at The Prancing Pony. Alas, we are stuck in our own drab world where elves are relegated to Christmastime, houses are full of right angles and doors are almost never round. The Hobbit holes so lovingly described in the books of J.R.R. Tolkien are a wonderful mix of coziness and whimsy. Believe it or not, you can now own one, and your kids will forever be in your debt. More

I don't know if it's the dog days of summer or post-vacation blues, but I am obsessing over gardens… specifically ones that are far far away (as in, in places that I want to make my next vacation destination). Wij Trädgårdar (Wij Gardens) in the Sindbis region of Sweden has long been a design inspiration, and the pictures are so satisfyiing that even a virtual visit is giving me a lift. More

Even for those of us who like to DIY, and custom build most solutions in our home ourselves, the clothesline is generally an off-the-shelf product purchased and installed in the yard, laundry room, or bathroom. But not so in this case: More

Name: Katie (mom) & Olivia (daughter)
Location: Oklahoma City, OK

We had a narrow skinny wasted space between our garage and our neighbors. Before Olivia was born we used it to put grass clippings and junk there, but I wanted to transform it into a play space when she was old enough. More

Last week we looked at the best outdoor dining tables on the market this year — but what's a table without seating? We're back this week with our look at the best outdoor dining chairs. From low priced IKEA to mid-range Crate and Barrel, these chairs are standouts for the design, quality and price. More

It started with a splinter. We'd long neglected the worn, ugly deck off our master bedroom. It contained two chaise lounges, a plant, and a sand table for our toddler, but was still bare and underutilized. Then I got a nasty splinter from it — my third in as many days — and I realized we couldn't ignore it any longer. More

Last week I got about five different texts and emails with one word: YELLOW. These were from friends who had just laid eyes on a jaw-dropping paint job being executed a few doors down from my house. Now, this is not your average yellow. It is a color that has its underpinnings in nature (mustard or bile, maybe) but with a technicolor tinge. Not quite neon or electric. Not quite retro. And certainly not historic. It's the kind of color that makes your face go all twisty, like you've eaten half a lime.
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If DIY is your thing and you are looking for a summer project, take a look at this mid-century inspired bungalow for your backyard. How great would it be to have a little spot like this in your yard to spend a summer evening? More

Midsummer may seem a little late in the season to start decorating your outdoor space but it's actually kind of perfect. Retailers are starting to discount their summer furniture and if you get your space set up now, you'll be able to enjoy it well into autumn. We've rounded up 12 of the best outdoor dining table options — 6 for small spaces and 6 for spreading out. More