Straw bales are cheap, easy to find and DIY-friendly. Get the basics on building with this renewable, ecofriendly material

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week

Dark as a Guinness stout and cozy as a Shetland sweater, this U.K.-style basement bar has everything a pub lover could want

Weigh this stout architectural element if you're going for a Craftsman-style exterior or interior

Want to free up some room around the house? Rethink gift giving, give yourself a shopping mantra and just say, ‘No, thank you’ to freebies

Full of character but originally short on practicality, these panes in a Brooklyn loft now hide gear instead of leaking air

Two friends build a vacation home in Australia’s Blue Mountains, where they can relax with others after a day of climbing

A sunny Australian family home, decorated on a budget, has a relaxed coastal feel

Part art studio, part guesthouse and all charm, this imaginative Colorado cottage looks like it grew right out of the earth

This natural stone has been around for thousands of years, and it comes in myriad color options to match any kitchen