Articles by Annie Thornton

This Trending Now story features the most-saved deck photos uploaded to Houzz from June 15 to Sept. 15, 2021.

This Trending Now story features the most-saved patio photos uploaded to Houzz from June 15 to Sept. 15, 2021.There are many ways to create an inviting and useful outdoor area. But if you focus on features for lounging, cooking and dining, you’re pret…

This modern resort-like backyard came from the homeowners’ desire to have an outdoor space that better suited their lifestyle and complemented their home’s aesthetic. The owners (a couple with grown children out of the house) tore down and rebuilt thi…

Some backyards feature less-than-ideal views or enable neighbors and passersby to observe occupants. But there are plenty of ways to screen your outdoor living space to add more privacy, create a sense of seclusion or enhance your yard’s view. In thes…

Homeowners Tom and Bea Schumacher dreamed of converting their conventional lawn yard in Pasadena, California, into a landscape of outdoor living rooms connected by a series of paths and naturalistic gardens. “One aesthetic I longed for is from reading…

This Trending Now story features the most-saved powder room photos uploaded to Houzz since April 1, 2021.A powder room is a space where a home’s design can let loose a little. Bold wall treatments, creative tile patterns and standout fixtures work gre…

This Trending Now story features the most-saved patio photos uploaded to Houzz since April 1, 2021.With summer in full swing, you might be looking for fresh ways to update your patio for lounging, cooking, dining and entertaining. You’ll find plenty o…

A family of four in Metairie, Louisiana, had lived in their home for a while before they decided it was finally time to overhaul their backyard. The grassy plot, separated from the house by a small back porch, provided the homeowners with open outdoor…

When tackling a patio makeover, it can be appealing to want to tear everything out and start from scratch to realize your dream space. Before you do — especially as summer edges closer — consider if new furniture, potted plantings and other outdoor ac…

A young family of three wanted a backyard that could meet its outdoor living needs and better suit its lifestyle — as well as offer a cooling respite from the Arizona heat. “When we were brought in on the project, the backyard was nothing but grass an…