The trend toward outdoor living, which uses comfy seating, bright rugs and weatherproof art to extend the al fresco season at home, is bringing new attention to a centuries-old architectural feature: ...

Courtyard houses made a lot of sense. The residents got outdoor space that was secure and usable at all times of day; nobody had to lock a window or door that opened into the central area. It provided ...

Pining for a private sanctuary? A place to putter around, put up your feet or peruse a book, all the while enjoying the great outdoors? Or maybe you're craving a bit of land to create a garden, a ...