Articles by Marianne Lipanovich

New decor, potted plants and string lights are good places to start when refreshing a deck. But there are other ways you can make a big difference without a major renovation. Read on for 11 tips that will give your deck flair, functionality and intere…

Now that summer has arrived, are you thinking longingly about swimming pools? The possibility could be more readily available than you might think. Take a look at how these designers found ways to add a spot for swimming — or at least plunging — as pa…

Summertime is swimming pool time. If you have a pool already, perhaps you’re looking to add some features that will turn it into even more of a backyard destination than it currently is. If you’re thinking of adding a new pool, you’ll want to explore …

The 20 plants listed below are garden favorites that are guaranteed to draw butterflies to your garden. At the same time, they’re excellent cut flowers that can be used as a single signature stem or included in a mixed arrangement, and usually the mor…

When you think of an arbor, the first image that comes to mind might be that of a garden entry arch covered in blooms. It’s a classic look, and one that fits the simplest definition of an arbor: two side panels with a connecting top piece that adds a…

Summer is the height of gardening season. Farmer’s markets and roadside stands are filled with fresh produce, while home gardens are at the peak of production. It’s a time when eating fresh and healthy is easy and enticing. To reach this stage, you ne…

Gates are the doors to your landscape and home. As such, they should be treated as design features in their own right. “A gate is somewhat mysterious, making you wonder what’s beyond it,” says fencing expert Deanne Clough of Clough…

An outdoor kitchen is a natural gathering spot in the landscape. After all, everyone ends up in the kitchen indoors, so the odds are great that the same thing will happen when there’s a kitchen outside. An outdoor kitchen encourages you to enjoy dinin…

A patio anchors an outdoor landscape and provides a solid, level surface for gathering, eating, relaxing and enjoying your outdoor space. The ideal patio for you will blend with your home’s style and your landscape’s look. It will also have its own sp…

Spring bulbs are amazing. Each one contains everything needed to produce roots, leaves and a beautiful flower (or flowers). Bulbs are easy to grow, have relatively few pests and diseases, can go in the ground or into a container, and can even stay in …