Adam Rothwell

Not to be dramatic, but turning your roof terrace into a liveable family space might just be the best thing since indoor plumbing. It’s like adding a bonus room you didn’t know you had—except it comes with fresh air, a skyline view, and endless chances to spill juice without panicking about the rug. If you’ve […]

If you’ve ever tried to host a backyard dinner party while also yelling “Don’t chase the dog through the mud!”—you’re probably ready for a patio upgrade. Porcelain tile might not sound exciting at first, but it’s kinda the quiet hero of family outdoor spaces. It’s easy to clean (bless), doesn’t get as slippery as you’d

You know those garden photos where everything looks perfect? Like someone mopped the lawn, styled the paving stones, and their kids just never spill juice? Yeah, not me. My backyard is more like a rotating chaos zone—chalk drawings, snack wrappers, and a cat who thinks every flower bed is his personal lounge. But even with

So here’s the thing—some of us weren’t exactly blessed with sprawling backyards or rolling lawn space. My own little slice of outdoor heaven? Long, skinny, and slightly sloped. It’s kind of like trying to decorate a hallway… that’s also a garden… where your kids are somehow always barefoot and your cat thinks the flower pots

Let me tell you something personal — last summer, our neighbour Dave built a deck that’s basically at eye-level with our garden chairs. Lovely chap, but no one (and I mean no one) wants to make awkward eye contact while deflating a paddling pool or picking up stray socks from the lawn. That’s when I realised: privacy

You ever stand in your front yard in Florida, staring at a sad-looking patch of sand and weeds, thinking, “How is it possible to have sunshine year-round and still no blooming flowers?” Yep. Same. We moved into our little place just outside Orlando a few years back, and let me tell you, I was all

You know what part of the garden gets ignored the most? The side yard. Honestly, ours was where garden tools went to die. There was a sad broken trellis, a mossy slab of old paving, and I’m pretty sure a rogue sock from last summer’s laundry drama. But it’s also the part of your yard

Right, hands up if your backyard currently looks like a bit of a… patchy zone of dreams? Same. Ours had a trampoline, a bald lawn, three half-dug holes from the kids’ dinosaur dig phase, and one very suspicious-looking corner that used to be a flower bed. And don’t get me started on the cost of

Written in the warm, slightly chaotic, very real voice of Emily “GreenThumb Mum” Clarke—with a splash of garden style, a few rogue soccer balls, and that one kid always climbing something he shouldn’t. You know how people always say “having a big backyard is such a blessing”? Yeah, sure—until you’re the one staring at it

You know that fantasy where you walk out the back door and instantly feel like you’re on holiday—even if there’s a laundry basket staring at you from the kitchen? Yep, same. I used to scroll past dreamy outdoor spaces on Pinterest thinking, “Well, that’s nice for someone with a villa and a landscaping team.” But

Written in the voice of Emily “GreenThumb Mum” Clarke — with that usual mix of chaotic charm, tea-fuelled wisdom, and the kind of outdoor DIY that happens in school runs and nap windows. You ever look at your backyard and think… “yep, this is the outdoor equivalent of a junk drawer”? Because I have. Multiple

Is Painting Your Brick House Worth It? Here’s What to Know First Right, let’s address the big, slightly dusty elephant on the street—should you even paint your brick house? It’s one of those things that feels a bit rebellious, like cutting in your own fringe or letting the kids eat cereal for tea. Brick, after all,

There’s something oddly humbling about standing in a huge backyard that feels… well, kind of useless. I remember the first summer after we moved in—full of excitement, iced tea, and big dreams. But when I looked out at all that grass, it felt more like a soccer field nobody wanted to play on than the

Let me just start by saying: if your kids have ever tried to fry an egg on your backyard slide in July—you’re not alone. I swear last summer, I stepped onto our patio barefoot and it almost became a medical emergency. We all want to give our kids a magical backyard to explore, but sometimes it feels

My name is Adam, and I grew up in the city suburbs, where the hum of traffic was a constant backdrop, and streetlights meant the night was never truly dark. But when I was 16, I had my first real taste of the countryside—and it changed everything. I spent a summer in rural Britain, where

Imagine stepping into your backyard and being surrounded by lush greenery climbing up the walls, fragrant herbs within arm’s reach, and vibrant flowers creating a tapestry of color—without sacrificing an inch of space where the kids play. A vertical garden isn’t just about saving space; it’s about transforming your backyard into a dreamy, multi-functional haven

Ah, summer—the season of warm breezes, sun-kissed evenings, and backyard gatherings that turn ordinary days into unforgettable memories. I love summer more than any other season, even though Spring and Autumn are colourful, there’s something about the mix of twinkling lights, fresh air, and the laughter of loved ones that makes outdoor summer celebrations feel

Close your eyes and picture it: the sun is shining, the kids are laughing, and you’re lounging by the pool with an ice-cold drink in hand. It’s the kind of summer day that feels straight out of a movie—until reality kicks in. Instead of a picture-perfect poolside setup, you’re dealing with scattered pool toys, an

There’s something magical about a coastal backyard—the sound of waves in the distance, the salty breeze brushing against your skin, and the warm sand between your toes. But turning your backyard into a dreamy seaside retreat? That’s a whole different story. If you’ve ever scrolled through Pinterest, envisioning your family lounging under swaying palm trees

Remember when we were kids, and a cardboard box could become a spaceship, a castle, or even a secret hideout? Now, as adults, we dream of creating magical backyard play spaces for our children—but reality (and budgets) tend to hit hard. You might have scrolled through Pinterest, drooling over sprawling outdoor play areas that look