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

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

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

Design — and the desire for more space — turns humble garages into gracious living rooms

Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story

Safety and beauty go hand in hand when you light landscape stairways and steps with just the right mix

Is your dining room feeling neglected? Transform that valuable space into an office, pool room, library or lounge

Homeowners redo an atrium with a pool to be a more pleasing and practical space

Strike a bluesy chord that's decidedly upbeat or make things greener on your side of the fence, with fresh paint colors for the new year

If your floors, furniture, exterior materials or other home elements have a past life, we'd like to hear the story