Mark discusses the merits of using pressure treated southern pine for a variety of outdoor projects.



Mark & Theresa broadcast LIVE from Real Outdoor Living’s Wood Pavilion at the Remodeling Show / Deck Expo 2011. Brad Staggs joins Mark and Theresa…


Site work tips: Turning not-so-level-earth into an even surface that drains water and supports your project is crucial to creating a project that will last.
Question: My house is about 90 years old. It needs work. As I remodel I try to keep things as close to original as I…
Go to almost any lumber yard and the wood you’ll find there is milled on all four sides. Two-by, 4-by-, 6-by…you get the idea. But…


Theresa brings you an update on the Real Wood playset from the set of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Joplin, MO—part of the special ‘7…
Mark & Theresa take a break from building the Real Wood playset in Cunningham Park, Joplin, MO. MyFixitUpLife and Real Outdoor Living have teamed up…
Question: I’m planning to build a pergola. I’ve heard that you’re supposed to stain the end-grain of the wood to maximize its life. I’m building…
Congratulations to Nicholas! He’s the winner of the Real Wood, Real Fun Play Structure and Rockwell Tools! Nicholas won the backyard Real Wood, Real Fun playset…
For most of my career I’ve built in what I would call “thickly settled” neighborhoods. In other words, not many back-forty type lots for me…


Mark & Theresa share updates on the Real Wood playset from the set of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Joplin, MO—part of the special ‘7…
Maybe it’s because one of the most formative periods of my home improvement life was building swim-floats and docks in Cape Cod’s salt water bays…
Camo-up! We’ve got our scope on, and we’re on the hunt for vacation with HGTV’s Taniya Nayak, host of the new House Hunters on Vacation. And for…
Mark and Theresa talk Real Outdoor Living with long-time friend and expert Brad Staggs at the International Builders Show. Brad details the first time he…
Mark and Theresa were among the first to be invited into the 2011 HGTV Dream Home in Stowe, VT. Click the arrow at the right…


We made a mini-deck and a wood platform for our new grill. No deck, no patio? No problem. Make a grill platform. We did. Our…
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
You can find more information in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
[…] this project is made from Southern Yellow Pine (and a few logs from the adjacent woods). The wood is secured with their favorite Spax fasteners […]