Give your patio or deck a simple makeover with tips and projects from this week's collection of Refresh tips. We've got fun and easy ways to transform your outdoor space into the envy of the neighborhood.

April and May showers bring ugly leaves, according to local tree experts. Arborists from the Chicago area say days of constant rainfall in recent weeks have led to prime conditions for fungal disease for trees and shrubs. “We were getting rain at exactly the wrong time,” said Sharon Yiesla, plant...