Marta Nowak

Landscape & Outdoor Designer

Marta designs everything past the back door. She writes about garden planning, planting, hardscaping, and shaping a site with berms and raised beds so the outdoors feels like another room.

Articles by Marta Nowak

7 Gravel Garden Styles Compared: Which One Fits Your Yard, Budget, and Climate?

Seven gravel garden styles compared side by side—cost, maintenance, and best-fit conditions—to help you choose the right approach for your yard.

By Marta Nowak · August 25, 2026

Gravel Garden Ideas: A Beginner's Guide to Designing a Low-Water, Low-Fuss Yard

New to gravel gardens? Learn the basics of planning, layering, and planting a gravel garden that looks intentional and needs little upkeep.

By Marta Nowak · August 24, 2026

7 Ways to Cut a Mortise and Tenon Joint, Compared: Hand Tools to Power Tools

Chisel, drill press, router, mortiser, table saw, or CNC? Compare seven ways to cut a mortise and tenon joint by speed, accuracy, cost, and skill needed.

By Marta Nowak · August 23, 2026

7 Ways to Add Textures to a 3D Model, Compared: From Quick Presets to Custom UV Painting

Comparing seven ways to texture a 3D model for home design projects, from built-in material libraries to hand-painted UV maps, with pros, cons, and best-fit sce

By Marta Nowak · August 15, 2026

7 Bookshelf Styling Methods Compared: Which One Fits Your Space and Time?

Compare seven bookshelf styling approaches—from the rule-of-three to maximalist collections—to find the method that suits your books, decor, and free time.

By Marta Nowak · August 5, 2026

7 Ways to Landscape a Sloped Backyard, Compared: Terraces, Berms, Retaining Walls & More

Compare 7 proven methods for landscaping a sloped backyard — terraces, retaining walls, berms, rock gardens, and more — with cost, difficulty, and best-use note

By Marta Nowak · July 30, 2026

How to Landscape a Sloped Backyard: A Beginner's Guide

New to sloped-yard design? Learn the basics of grading, terracing, drainage, and planting to turn a hillside backyard into usable outdoor space.

By Marta Nowak · July 29, 2026

7 Ways to Identify a Load-Bearing Wall: Methods Compared, from Free to Foolproof

Compare seven practical methods for identifying load-bearing walls, from blueprint checks to attic inspections, so you can pick the right approach before you re

By Marta Nowak · July 22, 2026

7 Front Yard Landscaping Styles Compared: Which One Fits Your House?

Compare seven popular front yard landscaping styles by cost, upkeep, and curb appeal to find the right fit for your home before you break ground.

By Marta Nowak · July 14, 2026

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

New to landscaping? Learn how to plan a front yard from scratch, from assessing your site to choosing plants, paths, and lighting that last.

By Marta Nowak · July 13, 2026