Wendy Helfenbaum

After so many weeks (or months!) in self-isolation, we’ve all had plenty of time to stare at the walls in every room in the house. If we’re being honest, many of us are dying to refresh or redo most of them. We've ID'd five projects well worth doing to transform your basement from a dank dungeon to a light-filled, inviting space for relaxation and fun.

When confronted by a crisis of faith, people react in many different ways. Two filmmakers recently completed animated shorts that grapple with this topic. They sat down to discuss their experiences, their creative processes and how faith has shaped them.

Your backyard can easily become “the spot” for creating lasting memories. Toll Brothers offers many backyard design ideas that can help you customize your outdoor living space by providing options for kids play areas, pet-friendly dwelling, and fabulous patios for alfresco dining and entertaining.
There are endless options to maximize a large backyard for family activities, games, and lounging spots. Here are nine inspiring backyard design ideas for your fun-filled, family-friendly dream space.

Snorkeling is a fantastic family activity that children as young as five can participate in. Being able to watch colorful sea creatures up close is also a great way to teach kids about nature and protecting the environment. Plus, it keeps everyone active! But it’s only fun when you have the right snorkel gear for kids.

You’ve probably spent hours decluttering your home, removing personal items, and ticking off the boxes on your realtor’s staging checklist. But did you neglect your outdoor spaces? Savvy buyers expect more than a yard with overgrown perennials, so it’s worth considering elevating yours.

Focusing on the key spots buyers are interested in: the deck, dining area, lounging spots, and pool. Not only can you increase the value of your property, but you’ll also create the illusion of more overall living space. Here are six ways to boost your outdoor living cachet and sell your house.

Since you may have put off a big summer trip in favor of staying put and staying safe, we’ve rounded up a list of great options for turning your backyard into the perfect vacation resort.

Your patio looked fabulous when it was first installed, with its clean and straight pavers. But after a few years, it may be time to do some patio repair. This may especially be the case if stones look faded and crooked. And if a lot of the sand is missing, weeds may have infiltrated the joints between pavers, detracting from the beauty of your outdoor space.
Here are four steps to help rid your patio of weeds and restore it to its original pristine beauty.

As designer Anna Maria Mannarino watched the harrowing news reports featuring frontline medical professionals caring for COVID-19 patients, she felt compelled to help. So she tapped her network to say thank you.

A beautiful outdoor space that includes a lush, manicured lawn and flower beds with showstopping blossoms can contribute significantly to the enjoyment of your luxury home. The right landscaping can also enhance curb appeal while increasing your property value. Here are some top lawn care tips that can help to create the perfect garden.

Even in the age of social distancing, the brand’s iconic French Bistro chair can teach us about coming together in public space.

Known for its vibrant, lightweight metal tables and chairs dotted across hundreds of parks, gardens and terraces worldwide, French furniture maker Fermob reimagined outdoor space for people while distilling their desire for joie de vivre. The brand’s products have enhanced urban placemaking for decades, and its iconic folding Bistro chair is now in bigger demand as we continue to balance social distancing while craving social interaction.

If a staycation is on your radar for summer 2020 (and let’s be honest, it probably is), you might want to invest in some toys and gadgets for the backyard, such as a blow-up swimming pool. Inflatable pools offer hours of entertainment on hot days (often followed by extra-long naps so you can sip a frozen cocktail on the patio).

Shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, spas began closing down one by one. As appointments were abruptly cancelled, revenue disappeared in an instant, spa owners and directors have faced unprecedented challenges. Here’s how some of them are handling the crisis, and using this time to focus on the future.

Caregiving can be a monumental task on an ordinary day. And during this coronavirus pandemic, many families are facing difficult decisions: Is it safer to leave a loved one in long-term care, even if you’re worried they might become infected with COVID-19? How will they fare if you’re not able to visit them because the facility is under quarantine? How would you cope with the added caregiving responsibilities if you brought your loved one home and you’re also working or home-schooling children?