My brand-new Smith & Hawken patio set.

All you gardeners out there -- if you haven't visited Smith & Hawken recently, you should. Parent company Scott's Miracle-Gro is liquidating its Smith & Hawken stores, with 20-30 percent discounts to be had on everything from gardening tools, planters and patio sets to gardening books.

Big discounts …Full Story

Sometimes property lines are obvious,but they aren't always.

I recently had a surveyor come out to my home to install property pins. The surveyor is from the same company that surveyed our property when our home was first built nearly seven years ago.

But despite having the survey, I've never known for sure where our property ended. (I am one of those people who doesn't read a map very well.) Unlike a conventional square plot of land, our property is more like a pizza slice -- it's narrower in the front, but much wider in the back …Full Story

I purchased this patio set at a Smith & Hawkin closeout sale.

With the new paver patio in my backyard now complete, I headed to retailer Smith & Hawken yesterday to check out their patio sets. Normally, I would consider much at that retail store somewhat pricey or out of my reach, but after visiting several major retailers in search of a patio table and chairs, I decided to give it a shot.  …Full Story

A new epoxy garage floor, as shown on the This Old House website.

Finding the perfect gift for Father's Day can be tough -- that is, if you're on a budget. (But if money is no object, what Dad wouldn't love a sporty new car, a new gas grill or a large, flat screen TV?)

But, let's be honest here. Most of us are on a budget. So, Cyberhomes has picked out a few affordable gifts that will help make Dad's home his castle this Sunday: …Full Story

The excavation for our new backyard patio is complete.

Work began yesterday on the paver patio and stairs that my husband and I are having installed in our backyard this summer. Our permit in place, the contractor arrived today …Full Story

Dive into fun this summer, but check your home insurance policy first. (Photo: iStockphoto)

Now that the weather is getting warmer, many of us are gearing up our backyards for entertaining and good times, adding summer tools of the trade like gas grills, swing sets, trampolines and swimming pools. (In my case, the pool will be the kiddie variety, which I can fill up with the garden hose.)  …Full Story

I just read a really interesting story the other day on FastCompany.com about a new type of structure that some homeowners are using to create home offices or private spaces in their backyards. As someone who works from home, the trend looks like a cool idea. For starting prices of about $7,000 to about $32,000, homeowners can add "sheds" to their backyards that can be used as home offices or as private spaces away from the rest of the house. (Perhaps as a crafting or writing room, or even a space for Dads who want to get away for a while from the wife and kids. Or, if you put a TV and a gaming system out there, you can stick your kids out there.) …Full Story

Backyard patios can be expensive, but they can cost less than a family vacation. (Photo: Istockphoto)

Facing tight budgets, some homeowners are looking to play and stay in their own backyard oases this summer instead of traveling. The trend is affecting furniture sales: The Associated Press reports that even while overall furniture sales are down by nearly double digits in recent months, sales of summer and casual furniture have been steady …Full Story

This week, the folks at Cyberhomes will share our New Year's resolutions for 2009. Look for our home and real-estate goals for the upcoming year.

Caroline Dwan, Cyberhomes national advertising sales director

My resolution: To finish the update to our bathroom and make it an organized, contemporary space that will make getting clean almost as much fun as getting dirty.

Cost: I will budget $3,000. The double sinks and vanity should run about $800. We'll use the pre-existing big mirror over the sinks but jazz it up with a $100 contemporary frame. This will be our only DIY task. The removal and replacement of the old electrical light fixture will cost about $100 — we'll hire one of our electrician friends to do the project. Track lighting should cost around $100; new floor tile should run about $600 plus $400 for removal and installation. The deep grayish blue paint needed to create the contemporary zen oasis I'm visualizing will probably cost about $100. Because I have painted every room in our house at least twice and because I am not good at it, I will support the economy and hire a professional, which could cost another $100. I also want to install crown molding, which should cost $250 for materials and installation.  …Full Story

This week, the folks at Cyberhomes will share our New Year's resolutions for 2009. Look for our home and real-estate goals for the upcoming year.

Kris Goodfellow, Cyberhomes Vice President & Product Manager

My resolution: To halt the horror of my backyard. Seven years ago I left New York City and moved into my suburban Southern California house with its big backyard. I had visions of a luscious garden and mountains of cut flowers on my dining room table. Since then, I have nicknamed my yard the killing fields, the plants my unwitting victims. The horrors I have inflicted on those poor souls! I am a despot of my garden, never speaking to it with love, and perhaps that is my problem. Why can't you grow there, little pansy? What’s wrong with you, jasmine? Lavender, you're supposed to be heat resistant! Cute little pansies come in by the flat and go out as dust. Gardenias die off by the gallon. My investment in the local Home Depot garden center has yielded so little and cost so much. I must be stopped! …Full Story