Ipe wood decking has rapidly captured attention in the outdoor construction and decking market. Once homeowners and builders experienced its benefits, demand surged—and remains strong. Although relatively new compared with some traditional decking materials, Ipe has proven itself season after season. But what makes this hardwood so popular, and is the enthusiasm justified? The Basics … Read more

Last year we had the pleasure of joining Lowe’s for a lively event featuring Nate Berkus and Valspar paint. [imagebrowser id=3] Nate shared practical design insights while we took part in a series of hands-on painting challenges—from creating painted canvases to updating pieces of furniture. Nate participated alongside a talented group of designers and bloggers, … Read more

ReadyMade Magazine has launched an ambitious contest called the ReadyMade 100, aimed at celebrating the most creative DIY projects from around the world. The competition seeks submissions that exemplify creativity in a variety of forms—functional, beautiful, interesting, and sustainable. Creators are invited to enter their best work by December 15 using ReadyMade.com’s submission platform. Entrants … Read more

The kitchen counter is the most-used surface in your home, yet it often receives the least design attention. Many people treat it as a catch-all: a landing spot for mail, chargers, random fruit, and appliances that never quite make it back into cabinets. With a few deliberate choices, your counter can look polished every day, … Read more

Front Runner’s new Side Mount Bike Carrier lets you secure a bicycle to the side of your Front Runner roof rack, freeing the hitch and truck bed while leaving the main rack available for other gear such as rooftop tents, storage boxes, and recovery equipment. Adventure travelers often want to bring toys—bikes, surfboards, kayaks—but once … Read more

This sponsored post was written by me on behalf of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. All opinions are my own. Nationwide provided information used in this article. We’ve lived in rental homes for twenty years, experiencing kitchens that ranged from spacious and lovely to cramped and run-down. One consistent factor across all of them was that … Read more

We’re heading into peak season for weddings, baby showers, graduations, and housewarmings — and if you’re facing a pile of gift-giving occasions, a DIY gift can be the perfect solution. DIY gifts are meaningful, personal, and often more memorable than something bought off the shelf. They can be as simple or as ambitious as your … Read more

Small bathrooms are a frequent challenge in many homes, particularly in older houses or compact urban apartments where space is limited. Tight layouts can disrupt daily routines, restrict movement, and make storage a constant struggle. However, with intentional planning and thoughtful design choices, even the smallest bathroom can feel open, organized, and highly functional. Many … Read more

We’ve tested professional thermal imaging cameras from makers like Milwaukee Tool, but the Seek Thermal camera stands out because it turns your smartphone into a thermal imager. Install the free app, attach the compact camera to your iOS or Android device, and you can immediately view thermal images and capture photos and video directly on … Read more