Take a leading role in your home project to help the process go more smoothly and get what you really want

We look at the reasons concrete has a tendency to crack — and what you can do to help control it

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

Whether you’ve inherited a large collection of items or a single bulky piece of furniture, it’s OK to let it go if you don’t need or want it

Find out the common flaws that shouldn’t be deal-breakers — and a few that should give you pause

Get the scoop on certifications, project scope, working from afar and more

Combine beauty and function in all of your cabinetry by keeping these basics in mind

With an art studio, age-in-place features and a view-maximizing design, this home shows just how well the architect knows his client

Learn about costs, considerations and surprising things architects do — plus the quick route to pinning down their style

There are many misconceptions about what landscape architects do. Learn what they bring to a project