Cutting our own Christmas tree has become a cherished family tradition. Every year we make the drive to Fillmore, CA, where local tree farms offer a pleasant outing and a wide selection of trees. Many farms grow Monterey pine and Leland cypress, and some will also bring in Noble firs from Oregon and Washington for … Read more

Gentrification. The word often evokes images of empty nesters and young professionals sipping lattes in newly renovated brownstones, and also of local residents and activists protesting the loss of longtime businesses and affordable housing as new developments replace older structures. If you’ve ever considered renovating a neglected property, you’ve likely played a part in the … Read more

I knew very little about grass seed before my visit to NexGen Turf Research last week. I had recently laid sod and tried my best to keep it alive and green, but some areas turned patchy and brown despite my efforts. When Pennington Seed invited me to learn how grass seed is developed, tested, packaged … Read more

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Rachio. All opinions are my own. Did you know that about half of the average household’s water use occurs outdoors, and up to 50% of that can be wasted? That means many families are spending hundreds of dollars each month watering their lawn and … Read more

Keeping your electronic devices powered is a daily necessity. The Greenworks 300-watt battery-powered inverter offers a practical, compact, and affordable way to extend the usefulness of a 60V battery system beyond yard work. Power banks come in many forms: pocket-sized chargers for phones, larger portable battery packs, and full-size power stations. Greenworks takes a different … Read more

John Deere is synonymous with agricultural work. Its iconic green-and-yellow tractors are fixtures in fields worldwide, and the company also offers a line of utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) called Gators. Built to handle demanding tasks on ranches, farms, and worksites, the Gator lineup brings tractor-grade durability in a compact, maneuverable package. We spent a month … Read more

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular as cleaner, more efficient alternatives to gasoline-powered cars. However, EVs come in different forms, each with distinct benefits and trade-offs. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right vehicle for your driving habits and priorities. The three main categories of electric vehicles are battery electric vehicles (BEVs), … Read more

We’ve discussed the classic “man cave” before — a dedicated space where guys can hang out and recharge. But there’s another idea worth celebrating: the mom cave. A mom cave is a personal retreat for mothers who need a break from the relentless demands of parenting, especially when kids are small. If you or someone … Read more

Imagine walking into a room you’ve just painted. The color is perfect and the furniture sits well, but the space still feels flat and unfinished. That’s a common frustration: paint alone can’t reproduce the architectural depth and character of custom finishes. Wall texture is the professional upgrade that solves this problem by adding visual depth … Read more

In 2007 I had the chance to collaborate with the team at Hachette Filipacchi Media (now Hearst) to create and launch a pioneering home design web portal called PointClickHome, working alongside the exceptional editor Anne E. Collins. The site functioned as the digital home for the design magazines ELLE DECOR, Metropolitan Home, HOME Magazine, and … Read more