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

Homegrown for the holidays

Use these new trends and old favourites to make your space stand out during the winter season

No matter what your design style may be — mid-century modern or ever-evolving contemporary — there are plenty of non-traditional plant choices this holiday season. The options to accessorize your mantle and table-scapes go beyond the familiar palette of red . . .

Posted: 2016-11-19

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

Built-in safety

Innovative self-acting fire extinguisher available locally

A new and innovative fire fighting tool is now available to the public.Called the Haven automatic fire extinguisher — this device does far more than an ordinary extinguisher, said Spartan Fire Protection’s chief operating officer, Ben Rosentreter. "It’s actually been . . .

Posted: 2016-06-11

Wipe sink with oil to remove stains, restore factory colour

QUESTION: We have a seven-year-old Sil Granite sink. Its colour has really faded. Before, it was a very matte black, but now it is a very faded black with white smear streaks. We used a colour-enhancer product provided when I . . .

Posted: 2013-10-19