Home Improvement

Wild senna always stops people in their tracks, primarily with its fanning oval leaves that resemble sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica). With flowers that go on and on for weeks, wild senna also stops docile and stingerless male bumblebees in their tracks, who love the pollen and nectar of its pea-like...

Ladders traditionally have lived the quiet life, tucked away in utility cupboards and garages. We tend to bring them out only when we need to change a lightbulb or clean out the gutters. But today we're seeing the ladder concept used in more and more innovative and delightful ways. Check...

Embracing easy summer living can be as simple as spending time each day on your front porch. There is something utterly relaxing about hanging out on the porch, whether it's to sip morning coffee or unwind at the end of the day and then there's the added perk of making your neighborhood feel warmer,...

Taylor Russell has seen a lot of interiors. After living in hotels for six years her job at a communications agency had her moving every four months to places like Kuwait, Pakistan, Spain and Barbados she experienced hundreds of different living spaces. More than enough to realize...

Scout Regalia's new pale pink and green canvas Lean-To tent has us inspired to camp (even my 12-year-old daughter might be tempted). What is it about the dull boring color choices by tent makers? The pale pink and green Lean-To is a collaborative piece that LA design firm Scout Regalia created with New York-based, Reunion for the recent Reclaim x2 charity auction benefiting the Brooklyn Recovery Fund. Response was so enthusiastic that there are plans for production; stay tuned for details. Photography by by Laure Joliet. Above: The Lean-To is made from 1000 Denier Cordura, a high-performance water and abrasion resistant material commonly used in backpacks and travel bags. Above: The front and side panels are easily rolled open and attached to the wooden poles. Above: Makoto Mizutani from Scout Regalia with Penny the Scout.

Here's kind of a cool thing. This steel-framed chair had seen better days. Enter Janusz, who has an abiding love for the world's most humble material — cardboard — and for bringing old furniture back to life. Click here to see what he did next.  More

Located on the steeply sloped banks of Lake Austin, this boathouse by Andersson-Wise provides the ideal setting for winding down. Approached by a narrow, elegant footbridge spanning a deep ravine, Texan firm Andersson-Wise’s boathouse appears to hover over the water, offering a respite from the heat (and concerns) of life inland. Images via Andersson-Wise. Above: The boathouse floats above the water on stilts and is clad in screened panels that open from the top like wings. Above L: The boat is docked between the stilts. Above R: The walkway on the side of the boathouse, which leads to the entry. Above: The screened panels keep the mosquitos away, while the all-wood interior creates a dark and cool space as a respite from the humid summer heat. Above L: The wood siding extends to become a shelf for the lantern in the window. Above R: When open, the screened panels are held in place by wooden rods; easy to use as well as maintain. Above: At night, the lantern shines and beckons to those from the main house. Above: The concrete panels create an enclosure for a grill. Above: The joys of summer! Above: The plan of the simple temple to "downtime". Above: A section through the ravine illustrates the narrow footbridge in the approach to the boathouse. Above: A view from the narrow footbridge. Andersson-Wise's design is a cross between a boathouse and a screened porch. See 5 Favorites: Summer Boathouse Roundup or 5 Favorites: Screened Sleeping Porches—see which you prefer.

Have you ever been in love with a bench? I can safely say that I have been (actually, put that in the present tense) in love with a bench. Sometimes I'll just imagine myself sitting on that bench and reading a book on a weekend afternoon. I think I could just read all day like that, if I had this bench. The one that I'm coveting is a Shaker-influenced piece from Sawkille, in Rhinebeck, NY. And it turns out that all of us at Remodelista are at least a little obsessed with spindle-back benches, so we've rounded up the 10 best: Above: From Sawkille in Rhinebeck, NY, the Tremper Bench is made from black walnut with an 18-inch seat height; contact Sawkille for pricing. Above: Studioilse's Bench with Back is available in American black walnut or European chestnut with either a Danish oil finish, white oil finish, matte white paint, or matte black brown paint with copper feet; $2,195 from The Future Perfect. Above: The Ercol Loveseat is made from elm with beech legs in a natural or black finish for £685 from SCP. Above: Moving Mountain's blue Windsor Bench has exaggerated proportions and a matte lacquer finish. Constructed of solid pine and maple; pricing available upon request from Moving Mountains. Made in the USA. Above: The Vigilia Bench from UK architect Eric Parry Designs; contact Parry directly for pricing. Above: Made from solid hardwood in Lincolnville, Maine, the Shaker Bench is available in tiger maple, cherry, or walnut and in lengths from 4 to 14 feet; prices start at $1,600 from Windsor Chair. Above: The Margaret Bench is made from solid maple, poplar, and 7-ply maple veneer and is available in 50 different washes of paint (shown here in ivory); $520 from Maine Cottage. Above: From Thos. Moser, the Deacon's Bench has a contoured solid cherry seat and ash spindles; prices start at $1,875. Above: The Enfield Shaker Meetinghouse Bench is made from Eastern white pine and rock maple; $463.75 from Shaker Workshops. Above: Made in the USA by cabinetmaker Jas Becker, the Bowback Bench is constructed from cherry wood with ash spindles and maple legs. Contact Jas Becker directly for pricing and availability. Above: The Windsor Sackback Bench is made from oak bends and spindles, maple turnings, and a traditional pine seat; the 4-foot size is $1,600 from Windsor Chair. Made in the USA. OK, so now that you've got your bench, you're sure to need a table. Shop all our Dining Tables in our furniture section.

This controversial material is often associated with the hippies of the '60s, but it's actually one of the earliest known domesticated plants. Hemp has been cultivated by civilizations for over 12,000 years. In fact, the first drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp paper, and...

Koi ponds are almost a staple of certain landscapes, particularly Asian- or tropical-inspired styles, and are easily at home in many contemporary gardens. If you love koi but these landscape styles don't appeal, don't worry. It's surprising how well koi ponds will fit into other gardens, from traditional...