(NC) Embarking on a DIY project can offer lots of fun and learning for a couple, family or just for yourself. Consider taking up a project for your backyard that you can enjoy with the people close to you all year long.

Here are three unique ideas for backyard DIY projects that anyone, from beginners to seasoned builders, can do.

Re-home your garden
Make gardening even more personal and rewarding this summer by building your own planter box. Making a planter box for your favourite veggies or flowers is great for a beginner or seasoned DIY-er. With several wood and composite material options and various design configurations, you have the freedom to match your planter to your outdoor space.

Elevate your patio with a pergola 
There are few things that add to the charm of a backyard like a pergola. Whether you want to provide shade around your bistro set or give your plants room to grow to the sky, there is no shortage of ways to build a pergola or trellis in your outdoor space. Pergolas...

(NC) Whether it’s in your backyard or a nearby park, lawns provide more than just aesthetic benefits, they contribute to happier and healthier communities. Here’s how:

1. Providing oxygen that we breathe
   Green space are a valuable part of creating clean air anywhere. For example 15 square metres of grass produces enough oxygen for a family of four every day. That can help make a difference to how we feel and breathe.
2. Reducing the warming effect of hard surfaces 
   When the summer heat hits, grass helps keep you cool. Street or sidewalk temperatures may reach 38 degrees Celsius or higher, but grass remains at 24 degrees. Your feet and your home can thank your lawn for lower temperatures.
   
   
3.  Acting as water filtration systems 
   A healthy lawn will slow runoff and allow time for the water to seep back into the groundwater system, rather than overworking municipal storm sewer systems and creating a flood. A 900 square metre lawn can absorb more than 22,000 litres of water.
   
   To...

(NC) If you’ve spent the last several months daydreaming about your ideal renovation project, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a reno for a new kitchen, your own spa bathroom, a basement media room or a beautiful backyard oasis, there’s no shortage of dreams to take on.

Here are a few tips to make your vision a reality:

Spend time planning ahead. 
The more you think about your project before you begin, the better you’ll understand your wants, needs and priorities.

A great place to start is thinking about why you’re doing this project in the first place. Is it to create more space? Add functionality? Freshen up décor? These questions will help you make the right decisions during your project.

Know when to call in the pros. 
Many home reno projects might seem DIY, such as laying tiles and flooring. But for anything structural, mechanical or electrical, it’s best to hire a properly licensed professional. You don’t want to cause any...

(NC) Whether it’s in your backyard or a nearby park, lawns provide more than just aesthetic benefits, they contribute to happier and healthier communities. Here’s how:
1. Providing oxygen that we breathe.

15 square metres of grass produces enough oxygen for a family of four every day.

2. Reducing the warming effect of hard surfaces.

Urban areas sprawling with buildings and concrete tend to be significantly warmer than areas with lush greenspaces.

3. Acting as water filtration systems.

A healthy lawn will slow runoff and allow time for the water to seep back into the groundwater system, rather than overworking municipal storm sewer systems and creating a flood. A lawn the size of 900 square metres can absorb more than 22,000 litres of water.

To provide these benefits, lawns require care. Pesticides are one tool that help protect lawns by keeping weeds and other pests under control. Health Canada regulates every pesticide sold in the country to ensure they can be used safely. A...

(NC) After a year of working from home for many of us, it’s only natural to be hitting a rut. No matter how great your at-home work setup is, you might need a refresh.

Here are few tips to make working from home so much better:

1. Declutter your workspace
A lot of work-related clutter can build up over time. Take a few minutes to collect any office items lying around the house, such as your video call headphones or your loose papers and sticky notes. Then recycle anything you don’t need and store the rest in a dedicated location. You’ll feel fresher and ready to take on what’s next.

2. Upgrade your workwear
Just because you aren’t going into the office doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to feel your best and look sharp. If you’re keen on business wear, try easing into a new pair of pants or a simple summer dress to find a more relaxed summertime vibe. If you’ve defaulted to pyjamas and sweats every day, consider finding the happy medium with...