Glass and mirrors --versatile and timeless

Reflective surfaces can offer the perfect touch in kitchen setting

DEAR Debbie -- I've seen a lot of glass and mirror in kitchen displays and wonder if they are just for show. What a cleaning nightmare! Would you use them in your kitchen? -- Marisse DEAR Marisse -- Glass and mirror . . .

Posted: 2008-02-03

Prudent planting

Ontario gardener decorates her backyard frugally and creatively

When Melissa J. Will bought her house just outside of London, Ont., she dreamt of making a garden. Lacking a surplus of cash, she began with a shoestring budget of $100. Today, gardening frugally and creatively has become a way . . .

Posted: 2019-01-12

Taking inspiration from the wild

Wildflowers are robust, low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly options for any garden

Gardeners trying to lure pollinators to their landscape would be wise to mimic nature and plant wildflowers. The attractive perennials tolerate harsh climates, seldom need fertilizing and resist most diseases and insect pests. Wildflowers are durable, too, requiring little or no . . .

Posted: 2019-04-20

Beam there, done that

Incorporate something in your way into the design

A recent kitchen remodel highlighted a particularly important step — often overlooked during the design stage of a renovation. There are certain aspects within a space that, due to existing structural requirements, cannot be altered to fully satisfy the plan. Typically . . .

Posted: 2020-06-06

MIKE HOLMES: Brick windowsills invite moisture trouble

I understand the appeal of a traditional brick home. For a lot of people, it's a classic look they appreciate and want to have in their new homes. But people should understand that a "brick" house isn't solid brick; it isn't . . .

Posted: 2009-12-26

Hydrogen peroxide mixture great for cleaning discoloured grout

QUESTION: Can you help us with a grout problem in our bathroom? We want to clean the grout between the one inch tiles. What can we use to clean the yellowish grout? I have tried a commercial cleaner and it . . .

Posted: 2015-06-13

A nutty solution for removing stains from frosted glass

Question: I have some kind of frosted glass on my pantry door. The one side is plain glass, but on the inside, it is frosted. I can’t seem to get normal, everyday kid spills off the inside of the door . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

Make sure your cookware is safe

Damaged or worn items could pose a risk for you and your family

QUESTION: I have a small Wear-Ever aluminum frying pan and the finish has been taken off on the inside. Therefore everything sticks like the dickens now! Is there any way I can re-season or coat it again so food won't . . .

Posted: 2013-10-05

A lingering stink in the sink

QUESTION: You helped me before with removal of odor from spilt milk in my car. I am currently trying to remove a constant odor arising from our kitchen drain. I have "scoured" the pages of your book, Household Solutions 2 . . .

Posted: 2013-08-10

Be crafty, let kids decorate their holiday table

Holiday feasts are a special time for everyone, children and adults alike. The build-up, planning, shopping and cooking can be a bit daunting, so be sure to carve out some time to include the kids in the preparations.Do you remember . . .

Posted: 2012-12-22