MLuxe Blog

Green roofs are definitely a growing trend in large commercial and institutional buildings. Planted with sod or other vegetation, they can reduce the “heat island” effect and keep significant amounts of water from running off, reducing the contaminants carried into streams and groundwater. But is the typical homeowner ready for a living roof? It’s certainly an idea that&#...

Wow — would you believe you could turn a carport into a fun and festive outdoor entertaining space? Neither could we. But if you think about it, a carport can be enhanced with the right decor just as a deck or a dining room can be. We love these summer outdoor entertaining tips from HGTV.com, which include the carport idea. Another out-of-the-box thought: Bring indoor furniture outsi...

Decks are a fantastic innovation in home design. Whether you live in a climate that lets you enjoy a deck year-round, or you cram a year of outdoor living into a few short months, you’ll find few people who don’t love the sense of relaxation and serenity you get from sitting on the deck. Naturally, a superior patio door is a big part of creating a great deck experience. But the...

At the time this post is being written, we in Minnesota are due for snow. Yes, it’s May. No, that’s not normal. Yes, we wonder why we live here, too. So let’s think positive thoughts about warm weather and maybe some will come our way soon. And what’s better during the summer than taking a dip in the pool? Only problem is that chlorine, the most commonly used disinfe...

Here in Minnesota, we were shoveling six inches of snow just last week. So forgive us if our minds haven’t really been on gardening. But now spring really has arrived, and so we’re offering a roundup of  tips to help you get your garden started right. Better Homes and Gardens offers a good, basic checklist, including for the earliest part of the season: Check for signs of grow...