Doors just don't last like they used to

Question: When our house was about six months old, we noticed the exterior door wasn’t closing symmetrically. It would be snug at the bottom, but shy of closing by about a quarter of an inch at the top. The builder had . . .

Posted: 2017-10-14

Sweet Marie

Condo conversion of heritage building is stunning

Cruise by Condos Marie, and the brown brick building looks unexceptional at first glance. However, it’s not wise to judge a book by its cover. Once inside the show suite, that adage rings true. That’s because while the building’s exterior screams . . .

Posted: 2009-11-21

How to create your own stairway to heaven

Stairway magic   If you find that your home is lacking drama, you might want to consider highlighting an often forgotten architectural feature, the staircase. Stairs, by their very nature are visually interesting. They provide drama through height, repeated pattern and details such . . .

Posted: 2012-10-20

Contractor likely best bet for concrete repair

Question: We have a 1986 house with an unfinished basement and exposed foundation with a vertical crack which lets water seep in. What can we do to fix this? Can we fix it ourselves or do we need a . . .

Posted: 2023-04-22

Vermiculite insulation likely not a concern as long as contained

Question: I recently had an insulation contractor come to my home to upgrade my attic insulation and ventilation, based on your recommendations from a previous inspection. I called you because there were moisture stains and cracks on my ceiling, . . .

Posted: 2023-08-12

SOLUTIONS: Give your bathroom countertop a new look

QUESTION: I have an Arborite countertop in my bathroom which needs rejuvenating. Can you give me the name of a product to help my counter? Gordon, Winnipeg ANSWER: If replacing your countertop is not an option, you can purchase products that . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

SOLUTIONS: Get the scoop on peanut butter oil

QUESTION: Can you please tell me why some peanut butter labels state that they contain "no trans fats" but the jar label lists partially hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient? Cheers! Bill, Winnipeg ANSWER: All peanut butter, by law, must contain . . .

Posted: 2010-12-31

RENOVATIONS: Up for the challenge

Glitches make renovations an interesting journey

There's a big difference between renovating a house and building one from scratch. "Renovations tend to be more challenging because there is always a glitch, " said Kim Schroeder, owner of Charisma Design in Winnipeg. For example, her company is remodeling a . . .

Posted: 2012-12-08

Setting Seeds

Life of a garden centre

Long before the snow fell, when garden centres were still bustling with late autumn displays, helping customers and gearing up for the winter months they were also evaluating their seasons, checking which plants were popular and sourcing out the latest . . .

Posted: 2016-01-21

Feeling refreshed

Home built in the 1970s gets a modern makeover

We've all heard the saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover." Which is a way of saying, "What you're going to find inside is a whole lot better than what you see on the surface." Turns out, the reverse . . .

Posted: 2013-05-11