Bay Area landscape architecture firm Studio Green creates gorgeous garden elements for its clients, like these patio squares that have been seeded with colored glass. I love the unexpected sparkle to these simple patio steps. Making patio stepping stones isn't too difficult, and by adding colored glass tiles, you can get the same special sparkle without all of the work of sanding down the broken Read more

While running on the sidewalk offers some serious safety features, like no cars, Cool Running has ranked it as the worst surface for running. Rock-hard concrete is hard on your joints since it provides zero shock absorption. Ideally, we should all run on grass or dirt trails, which are more gentle on our joints. If you're an urban runner, finding these surfaces for your regular runs can be a Read more

In 2001, Hungarian architect Aron Losonczi invented LiTraCon, the first light-transmitting concrete. Since then, it's been utilized for pavement, walls, design elements, and in art installations around the world. While just as strong as traditional concrete, an embedded array of optical glass fibers allows residents to see exterior elements such as the silhouette of trees, houses, and passersby. Read more

Xin Yucai, 50, of Shenyang city in the Liaoning province in Northeast China, has built a home out of two cement pipes. Although his daughter invited him to live with her in her apartment, he turned the offer down, since he loves living in his home so much. "He bought two cement pipes from a construction company and turned them into a real house, with windows, door, and even a chimney," says Xin Read more

Welcome to the second half of this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you, the readers, along with myself, help answer them. Casa reader Azduring13 wrote to me saying, "My sister told me about using stained concrete for floor finishing and countertops. Do you have any information on this? Thanks." You can read this week's first Room Therapy post here, Read more

Welcome to this week's Room Therapy, the CasaSugar feature where users submit questions and you, the readers, along with myself, help answer them. Casa reader Azduring13 wrote to me saying, "My sister told me about using stained concrete for floor finishing and countertops. Do you have any information on this? Thanks." I'm going to answer the second half of that question in a post on Wednesday, Read more