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Ideas and inspiration for your place in the country

Homes

Choosing the right generator

Be sure you'll have power when the lights go out.



Loving a log home

Dave and Judy Olson relocated from Dubuque, Iowa to a log home on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, fulfilling a dream in the process.


log home

A log cabin saved

An abandoned and dilapidated shack becomes a thing of beauty.


restored log cabin

Gone country

This couple left the city behind to try life in the Wisconsin countryside.


little farm animals

Mountain beauty

Linda and Joe Ragland enjoy sharing the beautiful gardens and terraces at their mountain home with visitors. "We are proud of the place and we don't mind sharing it. We love it so much," says Linda.


Appalachian mountain home

Heading down a new path

This Wisconsin couple proves it's never too late to make a lifestyle change.


1964 John Deere 2510 tractor

Winery wisdom

Members of the Atkins family share their areas of expertise to grow an award-winning wine business.


Terrence Atkins (center), his daughter Kimiko Atkins (right), and his sister Janet Atkins Detering (left) are award-winning wine makers.

A place for all seasons

This Michigan family finds beauty on their land every month of the year.


Missing the countryside

Old-fashioned farm

Merriam Last has a passion for the past. She's turned 39-acres near Welch, Minnesota into a big step back in time.


old-fashioned farm

Acreage oasis

A passion for gardening and water led this busy physician to create a tranquil oasis on 11 acres.


A love and a passion

Creating your space

This family was not blessed with scenic rolling hills on their property, but it didn't stop them from making a natural oasis out of flatlands.


Not created equal

Kentucky project place

Fish ponds, chicken coops and wooded trails are just a start for this family.


Kentucky project place

Caring for animals

Neighbors and friends stop by often and stay late at this peaceful and happy acreage in the green hills of North Carolina.


Peaceful place

Stunning Tennessee scenery

An acreage with a breathtaking view becomes Frances Jones' garden haven.


Tennessee River view

River retreat

A wooded river habitat inspires a couple to create a nature haven and embrace the wildlife on their lush Georgia acreage.


water lilies growing

Iron work

It all began with a trellis. Jim Krempel put together his first piece of ornamental ironwork that was so successful it led to a new hobby.


Jim Krempel finishes a piece of ornamental ironwork

Herd The Call

A few years ago Kathy Donovan got the opportunity to become a small Virginia farmer. It was all there - the land, the fences, the buildings, grass, sky, and cool mountain air. But what should she raise?


herd

Caretakers

What comes here, stays here. Diane Price and her husband, Rob Griffith, own a no-kill farm, meaning all their animals -- including goats, chickens, llamas, a few dogs, cats, and a Vietnamese potbellied pig -- will be part of their 16-acre North Carolina farm for the rest of their natural lives.


Mairin Jacquot

Project place

Kevin Davis looked at a rough-and- tumble piece of property bordering reclaimed Kentucky coal mining land and saw a farm.


project place

Inspiring work

An Illinois man discovers that building ornamental iron structures combines beauty and functionality around his country home.


Jim Krempel finishes a piece of ornamental ironwork

Building a mudroom

Architect Erica Broberg says adding a mudroom to the house is the number one request she receives from moms who are sick of tripping over backpacks and muddy boots.


A Neat Trick

Gray water systems

Some people are installing systems in their homes to capture used water. While it's not good for drinking or cooking, gray water can be used for landscaping.


Washer and Dryer in Kitchen

Solar water heaters

Solar water heaters provide instant hot water, work in any climate, and can provide 50% to 80% of a home's hot water needs.


photovoltaic roofing panels

Solar flood lighting

Most solar floodlights are motion-activated, which is good if an animal gets out or there's a human walking around that shouldn't be.


Outdoor Lighting

Well water treatments

Most government regulations only require you to test well water when you're building a new one, or the property has changed hands. However, for your own safety, it's a good idea to test it least once a year.


boy drinking out of water glass

Assessing drainage around buildings

No matter where your house or other outbuildings are situated on your property, the length and position of downspouts makes a huge difference when it comes to proper drainage.


l_barnsuccess1

Establishing a storm shelter

You can't stop dangerous winds when a storm blows in, but you can take steps to keep your family safe.


0405tornado

Lightning protection

Lightning crackles with approximately 30 million volts of electricity, so without the proper precautions, a strike to your home or outbuildings might mean disaster.


lightning

Testing for radon

Radon doesn't have a smell or a color, so the only way to know if it's lurking in your home is by testing.


colonial home

Pumping the septic system

Like a vehicle, the key to keeping your septic system in shape is regular maintenance. The tank will need to be pumped by a professional every three to five years, or more often depending on use.


septic system

How to build a retaining wall

Retaining walls that hold back soil or rock from an area can be a wonderful addition to your landscaping. While the walls are often attractive, they also work to help prevent soil erosion and provide support for vertical or near-vertical grade changes. Just as your house needs a strong foundation, a retaining wall must have a firm base that will prevent the dirt beneath from shifting.


Fonk home

Building a dry stone wall

Bricks and mortar aren't always the answer to a solid wall. A dry stone wall will stand up to the ages, as long as you keep it in good condition.


Retaining Wall

Tips on buying a country home

When the Young family was searching for rural property in upstate New York, they settled on a place that was decidedly different from what they wanted. It was the lucky break of a lifetime.


Tips on buying a country home

Great guest houses

A detached guest house gives visitors more space and privacy, and can be less expensive than building an addition on your home. When guests leave, the guest house can be used as a getaway, home office, studio, or anything else you desire.


Be our guest!

Choosing a sauna

Thanks to a wide range of home saunas available, you don't have to wait to go to the gym or check into a hotel to get the steam treatment.


Helo Vena Sauna and Shower

Installing a sump pump

Ag Engineer Chuck Schwab says water in the basement will often happen because of drainage issues that weren't accounted for when the home was built. Water might also seep in after heavy rains. You have to know what you're dealing with when you start looking for sump pumps.


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Beautiful Places

Enjoy these country homes with breathtaking views, inspiring landscaping, and cozy getaways.



 
 
 


 

 
 
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