Texas Couple Creates Ultimate Pirate Ship Playhouse

A Texas couple transformed their backyard into a pirate-themed playland. (Pirate Ship Playhouse Facebook) A simple wish for a pirate ship playhouse turned into a years-long quest that’s capturing the imaginations of both children and adults.  Read to see how a Texas couple went somewhat “overboard” to transform a plain backyard into a nautical pirate … Read more

Outdoor Roll-Up Blinds: The Safe Shade Solution for Your Patio

Coolaroo Wheel-Operated Light Filtering PVC Exterior Shades can be used on windows, pergolas, patios, and porches, or anywhere else you would like to block sunlight. (The Home Depot) Outdoor roll-up blinds for your patio solve the problem of late afternoon and early-morning sun glare. No matter where you build your patio (or porch or pergola), … Read more

Create an Outdoor Oasis with Composite Decking

Low-maintenance backyard living is a must if you love the outdoors. Fortunately, creating a beautiful outdoor oasis is easy with composite decking. A lot of homeowners want an outdoor living space, but don’t want the endless sanding, staining or painting that goes with a wood deck. The solution is beautiful and low-maintenance composite decking. It … Read more

Outdoor Fireplace: Create a Focal Point For Your Patio

An outdoor fireplace transforms your yard into a bonafide living area and increases your home’s value.  Whether you’re having a gathering with friends or unwinding after a long day, an outdoor fireplace is an investment that you will enjoy for many years.  This post is sponsored by Pavestone.  In This Article An outdoor fireplace can … Read more

Backyard Paradise: Open Floor Plan for the Great Outdoors

This week, we’re in Charlotte, North Carolina, to create a beautiful outdoor area for our Backyard Paradise contest winners. Courtney Claugus was selected as the lucky winner of our Backyard Paradise contest, so we’re giving her and her husband Adam’s backyard a makeover with help from our friends at Quikrete and Pavestone. Read on to … Read more

Simplifying Summer Home Maintenance

A quick pressure wash will make your fence look brand new. (RoschetzkkylstockPhoto, Getty Images Pro) Home maintenance is a year-round event, but some tasks just make more sense to do in the summer. Our 4 Seasons of Homeownership Summer Checklist, which divides must-do tasks by the time of year, is a great way to stay … Read more

Quikrete Calculators: Get Concrete Answers and More

Quikrete’s calculators eliminate any guesswork when purchasing building materials for home projects. (Photo provided by Quikrete) Concrete is a cornerstone element for any home project. For many homes, it’s literally the foundation upon which they are built. Concrete is also a key ingredient of hardscape elements to enhance your backyard; it provides a solid entrance … Read more

Cornhole Game: How to Build the Board

Cornhole, a game that’s been around for centuries, is a popular pastime for tailgate entertainment or backyard fun. You just need a cornhole board and some bags — and a free afternoon with family or friends! History of the Game Many people believe a cabinet maker in Germany invented the cornhole game in the 14th … Read more

Expanding a Patio for Entertaining 

This week we’re helping a blended family expand their patio to better meet their needs.  Eric and Corrina love spending time outdoors with their children, but their patio space just wasn’t enough to make their family feel together during “get-togethers” Their grill is separated from the main seating area, and Corrina’s container plants make the … Read more

DIY ‘Mix and Match’ Patio Project

As most people know, one home improvement project often leads to another. After Lisa Young and her husband repainted their home exterior, suddenly the concrete perimeter foundation looked ugly. That’s when Young found SpreadStone™ Decorative Concrete Resurfacing Kits and got hooked on Daich Coatings DIY projects. For the foundation perimeter, she chose the Lake Rock color of SpreadStone. … Read more