Articles by Marianne Lipanovich

A shade-filled yard with mature trees is an invitation to relax and enjoy time outside, even on the hottest days. Too often though, the deep shade, tree roots and layout challenges keep homeowners from making the most of these spaces. If you’re lookin…

Color can be the magic cure for an uninspired yard. Bold planters, walls painted with lively hues or an eye-catching focal point take a space from ordinary to one of a kind. Even better, by using color on hardscape features rather than relying solely …

In an ideal world, your garden would be filled with year-round seasonal color, thanks to strategic plantings. In the real world, too many of us are faced with times when our gardens are, quite frankly, rather drab and dreary. If your garden occasional…

One of the joys of growing your own vegetables is enjoying them when they’ve been freshly picked at the peak of their flavor. One of the conundrums of growing your own vegetables, especially for beginners, is knowing just when that moment is. If you’r…

One of the joys of growing your own vegetables is enjoying them when they’ve been freshly picked at the peak of their flavor. One of the conundrums of growing your own vegetables, especially for beginners, is knowing just when that moment is. If you’r…

New decor, potted plants and string lights are good places to start when refreshing a deck. But there are other ways you can make a big difference without a major renovation. Read on for 11 tips that will give your deck flair, functionality and intere…

Refreshing your patio with new furniture, decor or color automatically brightens the space and draws you into it. The good news is that giving your existing patio an upgrade doesn’t need to take a whole lot of time or money. Instead, you can tackle ma…

Now that summer has arrived, are you thinking longingly about swimming pools? The possibility could be more readily available than you might think. Take a look at how these designers found ways to add a spot for swimming — or at least plunging — as pa…

Summertime is swimming pool time. If you have a pool already, perhaps you’re looking to add some features that will turn it into even more of a backyard destination than it currently is. If you’re thinking of adding a new pool, you’ll want to explore …

With patio furniture, you can extend your indoor style to your landscape or try something completely different. You can mix and match for an eclectic feel. One important consideration, no matter your style, is how well your furniture will hold up to y…