A day at the spa... in your own backyard

When Lynn Philips originally installed a jetted hot tub in 1989, it was purely for relaxation. But 21 years later, a soak in her hot tub delivers an added benefit by providing relief for her arthritis. She's not alone. Many arthritis . . .

Posted: 2010-03-13

A bathroom revolution

Three rooms overhauled for one client

I’ve recently started a new project — a kitchen, dining room and living room remodel with a huge beam in place of a supporting wall, in keeping with the open concept trend. Amidst the chaos of prep and demo, a . . .

Posted: 2016-11-19

SOLUTIONS: Slow cooker recipe serves 20 deliciously

QUESTION: What I need is a delicious slow cooker recipe for 20. This would be for a potluck dish and one I could put on in the morning and have ready six hours later. Simple but good. I'm done with . . .

Posted: 2011-10-22

MIKE HOLMES: Building permits work to protect you

YOU'VE heard me talk about why getting municipal building permits is a good idea when undertaking a reno project. There are also a few other less obvious reasons why building permits work to protect you, but not many people think . . .

Posted: 2011-06-04

The 1980s called, wants its stippled ceiling back

Strapping, adding new drywall best way to smooth over textured ceiling complaints

It isn’t the first time in my renovation career that a homeowner is disgruntled with a textured or stipple ceiling. In the older suburbs, many houses are also plagued with unsightly cracks in the plaster, especially at the corners. . . .

Posted: 2022-12-17

Not your average retrofit

Condos offer deft combination of practicality, creativity

ASK realtor Garry Hirsch to sum up the newly-refurbished condominiums at 1812 Portage Ave., and he does it in succinct fashion. "Simply put, they're smart condos, " he says. "Granted, the units (studios and one-bedrooms) aren't huge, but they use the . . .

Posted: 2011-04-16

CONNIE OLIVER: Bold strokes can transform ho-hum rooms

It can take so little to make a colourful statement in your decor. Something as innocuous as a plain cupboard can become a stunning feature in a ho-hum room. A little bit of paint and imagination can transform just about any . . .

Posted: 2012-02-11

More cottagers buy into fractional ownership

New purchasing option 'ultra-convenient'

Larry and Mary Anne Field wanted a cottage, but not the cost or maintenance headaches that go along with ownership. So, last year they bought part of one: a three-bedroom log beauty at the Frontenac Shores development on Mississagagon Lake, north . . .

Posted: 2009-03-07

A gardener's delicacy

Ornamental and edible plants add texture, colour and flavour to a garden

As any gardener knows, there’s much beauty to be found in edibles.Some vegetable varieties with rugged good looks or spectacular colours and textures are used to decorate beds and borders, containers, or as part of a harvest-themed centrepiece for the . . .

Posted: 2016-10-01

Small touches create a great master bath

Attractive upgrades don't have to be expensive

It’s easy to design a gorgeous master bathroom if you have a huge budget. But, with the right choices, you can have an exceptional master bath without overspending, interior designer Gabriel Anderson says. "Having huge expanses of marble is amazing and . . .

Posted: 2019-01-12