Take cues from nature for placement, materials, shapes and patterns, for a house that sits well in its surroundings

See How a Little Extra Glass Lets in Light, Air and Style

Learn how to balance your budget and set priorities to get the home features you want with the least compromise

This low-maintenance alternative to wood is made from varying amounts of recycled plastic. Consider it for decks, fences and more

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

Give your interior some sparkle and shine with metal tiles on a backsplash, shower or floor

Locally sourced stone is a gorgeous and durable landscape building material

Set the right mood, focus a view or highlight architecture with long, narrow windows sited just so on a wall

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week