Last fall I moved into a house on a quiet cul-de-sac with a broad front lawn and generous side yards. I enjoy mowing my lawn—it’s relaxing—until it isn’t. My old 21-inch push mower made the job take much longer than I wanted, so when it finally died, I saw it as an opportunity to upgrade … Read more

With late summer comes heat and, in many regions, humidity. That combination of high temperatures and moisture in the air can make both the outdoors and the inside of your home feel oppressive. Bathrooms, in particular, can turn into mini saunas during the warmer months, creating ideal conditions for mold, mildew, condensation, wood rot and … Read more

We don’t have central air conditioning in our small West LA bungalow. For most of the year it’s unnecessary, but on occasional hot days that turn into warm nights we rely on portable fans placed in windows. Opening doors helps create a cross breeze, but it compromises privacy and lets bugs in. Our house didn’t … Read more

The Toyota Crown is one of Toyota’s longest-running nameplates, in continuous use internationally since 1955. Although it disappeared from the U.S. market after 1972, the Crown returns for 2023 as Toyota’s new premium sedan. This is not a rebadged Avalon: Toyota rebuilt the Crown from the ground up and positioned it as a distinctive, upscale … Read more

Closets are small but powerful spaces. They store treasured items, provide hidden spots for seasonal belongings, and are essential for anyone who loves to shop. Because they often become overfilled, closets are frequently overlooked when it comes to aesthetics and organization. If you’ve decided to give your closet a makeover, great choice — refreshing this … Read more

Most backyards feel fine during the day, but when dusk falls and shadows deepen, small hazards become more noticeable — a slick paver, a loose hose, or a dimly lit corner. For older adults who enjoy spending time outside, those small issues can quickly shrink how often they go out. I’ve seen it happen gradually, … Read more

I’ve never been a morning person—until I became a parent. Our son has always been a good sleeper, yet he still tends to wake up an hour or two before our usual time. Over the years we’ve developed routines that help us all get a better night’s rest and make mornings smoother. Now that he’s … Read more

You spend a weekend building a shop knife. The grind is clean, the profile is exactly what you wanted, and the steel came out of the stock with accurate geometry. Then you file across the edge after heat treatment and it slices like nothing—your blade is soft. All that work, and it’s essentially a butter … Read more

Manz Motor Company continues to push the boundaries between rugged capability and refined luxury with its latest creation: a meticulously restored 1983 Land Rover Defender 110 Double Cab 6×6. Built in New Hampshire, this unique vehicle blends off-road muscle with high-end finishes to create a one-of-a-kind driving experience that performs as well on trailhead tracks … Read more