The Japanese have an aesthetic known as shibui, which is characterized by simple and subtle beauty. You can apply the philosophy of shibui to your garden to create a tranquil space that’s the perfect place to escape from the world.

Here are some tips for applying shibui to create your own tranquil garden:

• Don’t crowd your garden. Leaving some wide open spaces creates a relaxing atmosphere.
• Plant flowers sparingly. An abundance of green foliage with a variety of textures is more restful than the vibrant colors of blossoms.
• Add sculpture, a water feature or other pieces of art to complete your retreat.

Read more shibui suggestions on the Sunset magazine website.

If you’d like to try organic gardening but don’t have the space or are feeling overwhelmed, why not try Square Foot Gardening?  You can set up one of these boxed minigardens almost anywhere, including on your lawn or patio.  This compact gardening technique, also known as raised-bed gardening, is becoming increasing popular because it gives you more control over your soil, plants and irrigation.

 Find out more about Square Foot Gardening in this YouTube video and then visit the Square Food Gardening website.  If you’re interesting in buying a raised gardening box that comes complete with seeds and all the supplies you’ll need, visit MinifarmBox.com.

 One of the newest additions for the home that has everything is the outdoor kitchen.  In addition to a gas grill, homeowners are adding refrigerators, sinks, bars and even pizza ovens to their outdoor kitchens.  But one thing has been missing from even the most fully-stocked outdoor kitchens – an outdoor dishwasher.  Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet has met this need with a new outdoor dishwasher which was unveiled at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York.  The dishwasher will be available this summer.  It’s high price tag, $4990, make it a high-end product for only the most upscale outdoor kitchens.

Read more about the world’s first outdoor dishwasher on the Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet website.

Would you turn your house into a billboard?  Adzookie.com is looking for homeowners who are willing to let the company paint ads on their home’s exterior.  The pay off?  If you agree to keep the ads for at least 3 months, they’ll pay the mortgage for every month that the house displays their ads.  After you’ve had enough, they’ll restore the house to its original colors.

To find out more about home billboards, visit the Adzookie website.

For many of the world’s top architects, home becomes a showcase of their personal style.  Architect Michael Graves, known for his post-modern hotel designs at Walt Disney World as well as his line of household objects at Target, has spent the past 30 years transforming a New Jersey warehouse into an elegant home.  He purchased the building in 1974 because it reminded him of a Tuscan barn and completed most of the renovations himself.

One of the most striking rooms in the remodeled warehouse is the library (pictured above).  A glass roof covers the two-story room and floor-to-ceiling bookcases line the walls.  The bookshelves are actually made from fiberboard that has been stained to look like fine wood and pointed PVC pipe has been used to simulated columns between the shelves. 

Read more about Michael Grave’s remodel and see some stunning pictures on the Traditional Home website.

Ever since 1997, the Home and Garden TV network has hosted an annual sweepstakes that gives away a fully furnished, custom built dream home that is valued at more than $1 million.  Starting January 1, viewers are invited to enter the dream house sweepstakes online.  The house is then awarded in a March telecast.

Dream homes of the past have been built in idyllic locations across the U.S.  This year’s Dream Home is a ski lodge located in Stowe Vermont.  In addition to the home and all its furnishings, the prize package includes a 2011 Acadia Denali and $500,000.  Despite the cash prize, most of the past Dream Home winners have been forced to sell their prize home due to tax bills. 

Tour the HGTV Dream Home for 2011 in this YouTube video and read more about it on the HGTV website.

Remodeling a tired-looking bathroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  If you make the right choices, a little bit of money can go a long way.  Here are some bathroom remake tips that won’t break the bank:

For more budget-minded bathroom remodel ideas, read Bath Makeovers Under $2000 at the Better Homes and Gardens website.

Some people never outgrow the dream of living in a treehouse. The book New Treehouses of the World, by Pete Nelson, provides a glimpse into the some of the most unusual and creative treehouses from around the world.

Author Pete Nelson is a treehouse expert and owner of TreeHouse Workshop, a Washington company that builds custom treehouses and conducts workshops to help others design and build their own treehouses.

He also operates Treehouse Point, an environmentally-friendly treehouse retreat center.

Learn more about Pete Nelson’s treehouses at the Treehouse Workshop website.

Surveys by fitness professionals have found that most people have a better chance of staying in shape when they have a home gym.  Whether it’s a dedicated fitness room or a corner of a basement, garage or bedroom, a home gym is the most convenient place to work out. 

Here are 5 tips for creating a home gym that will inspire you to work out more:

Visit Home-Designing to see pictures of some inspirational home gym designs.

There’s no reason that you need to sacrifice style or comfort just because you have a pet. Many people have learned how to live with animals and still maintain a beautiful home. The key is in choosing the right materials and furniture, including stain-resistent and washable upholstery and bedding. Many homeowners actually choose upholstery fabrics that are similar in color to their pet in order to limit the visibility of shed hair.

It’s a good idea to forgo carpeting in favor of tile or laminate flooring. Painted concrete is another good flooring option for homes with pets. It’s important to perform regular cleaning task like vacuuming, since pet hair has a tendency to build up on furniture and floors. It’s just as important to bathe your pets regularly and keep them groomed.

Visit the HGTV website for more tips for a chic, pet-friendly home.