Green power makes lawn and garden care more eco-friendly

When the sun shines on a beautiful summer day, it's easy to gauge how important our yards are. Take a walk around your neighborhood and you'll likely see a majority of your neighbors out mowing lawns, pulling weeds, cutting flowers and more. And once the work of maintaining the yard is done, it becomes the scene of garden parties, backyard barbeques and games like bocce and croquet.

Fresh ideas for elegant outdoor entertaining

When it comes to having friends and family over for summer gatherings, first thoughts often turn to late afternoon barbecues with sizzling burgers, plastic cups and paper plates. If that's your idea of outdoor entertaining, maybe it's time to get out of the house.

Is your house ready for summer? Here's a first aid kit for outdoor fixes

Are you ready to host all of those summer barbecues and impromptu get-togethers that summer brings? And the bigger question - is your house ready? The season's beautiful weather ushers in a slew of home repairs that are needed to get ready for hosting guests. Whether it's a broken bird bath, a loose stone on a walkway, or a broken patio chair, there are some things you need to take care of before you welcome your friends and family.

Sophisticated sun control saves energy and makes life easier

Do you ever wish you could create an outdoor environment that would be comfortable and safe from the sun, while also having a positive impact on the environment? This can be your reality with motorized awnings, window coverings and rolling shutters. Motorization has many benefits, one of which is reducing heat gain and loss, creating a more energy efficient home.

Easy ways to create fast, functional, fun outdoor 'land-escapes'

Adding useful space, enjoyment, appeal and value to homes, outdoor living spaces continue to be a popular home improvement project. While the economy slowly recovers, many budget-conscious homeowners are looking for simple, cost-effective ways to transform their homes' exteriors into inviting outdoor "land-escapes" that can be enjoyed year around.