Black streaks from dryer? Your drum might be beat

QUESTION: I have an old gas dryer. When I dry clothes, they come out with black streaks. I have taken a cloth and wiped the drum after each cycle but it doesn’t help. Can you offer any tips?— BevAnswer: It sounds . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Home newbies get down with the crapper's flapper

On your own? Here are some handy hints

It's that pomp-and-circumstance, tassel-turning time of year that for many means one thing: flying the coop. For graduates living alone for the first time, there could be some rude surprises setting up house without the help of mom, dad or a . . .

Posted: 2008-04-27

Vintage lanterns give inviting glow

Vintage gasoline lanterns manufactured dozens of years ago have a distinctive appeal, not only for camping but also in everyday life. Their designs and colours present the nostalgic atmosphere of a bygone era and they can bring a glow to . . .

Posted: 2016-11-26

Best bet is to avoid pinnacle birch trees

I receive many questions about tree and shrub problems. The following are the most commonly asked this year.   Question. My newly purchased Dakota pinnacle birch is dying from the top down. The upper leaves are drying up. Can you tell me . . .

Posted: 2014-08-23

Time to clear up some doubt about grout

QUESTION - I attempted to install ceramic tile inside the entrance of my home. It has been six months and the grout between some of the tiles is beginning to crack and crumble. Any idea why this is happening? Tanis, . . .

Posted: 2009-04-05

Humanizing the kitchen

It's not a sterile operating room and shouldn't look like one

Kitchens have become so serious. All that granite, dark wood and stainless steel. The heart of the home these days is more like a sleek, severe shrine to haute cuisine. But kitchens don't have to be as stressful as an episode of . . .

Posted: 2012-04-21

Boudoir boost

Bedroom the most neglected part of many homes

I've been thinking on the importance of bedrooms. In Canada, the bedroom is the most neglected room in the house. This is especially the case with two constituencies: Young professionals, who tend to commit their energy and money to the kitchen . . .

Posted: 2008-05-18

Breaking down the phases of new home construction

A common and important question that most new home buyers ask when looking at building a new home is how long will it take for my new home to be built? Just how long does the whole construction process . . .

Posted: 2024-07-27

Doors of perception

If you've been reading my column regularly you'll know that my husband and I recently downsized to a condo. It needed a fair amount of updates which we've been working on for the past few months.The condo was kind of . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Getting to the bottom of the clutter problem

In principle, basements are wonderful -- an area where sports gear, housing supplies, games, toys and unused furniture can be stored far from the more carefully appointed living areas of your house.But if you're like most people, your basement doesn't . . .

Posted: 2010-10-23