Dear James: I love to sit out by my flower garden, but the insects eat me alive. I would like to build a small screened porch. Is this beyond the skills of a novice do-it-yourselfer? Any tips? -- ...

The "outdoor room" gives you more fresh air and maybe fewer germs. In a recent post, I showed a new house designed by Tom Bassett-Dilley with screened porches, which you don't see very often anymore ...

When the weather is just right, the porch is a go-to spot for enjoying long chats with family and friends, drinking refreshing glasses of iced tea, or reading a good book. However, when bugs are ...