ASK THE INSPECTOR: Wood skirting best bet to insulate cottage

QUESTION: We have built a lakefront cottage in the Whiteshell. We added onto the old cottage. The original was 500 square feet and now it is 1, 200 sq. ft. We reinsulated the old cottage, walls and ceiling to match the . . .

Posted: 2011-04-23

Spray the cold away

Spray-foam a great product for finishing basements

When embarking upon an entire basement renovation from concrete walls to fully finished, the initial steps must involve the preparation and assurance that the lower level is fully sealed and insulated. Traditionally, this requires an exterior wall framework of 2x4 studs . . .

Posted: 2022-02-26

Decoding the wedding planning puzzle

Settling on 'jumping off' point for flowers can make process easier

WEDDING trends change from year to year based on what is going on in the fashion and interior design worlds. Certain colours go in and out of vogue, bouquet styles change, even the shape of the reception tables read modern . . .

Posted: 2011-02-19

CONNIE OLIVER: Turn unconventional into sensational

Work with the quirks Those of you with unconventional homes know that a room with character can entail decorating challenges. While some consider unusual spaces charming, others see negative traits that are obstacles in the way of a balanced room. Our feature . . .

Posted: 2010-10-16

Don't sweat the small space

Easy tips to tranform cosy into comfy

Today's new condominiums and town-homes are designed on a smaller footprint that has changed the way our homes are furnished. At first, the options for decorating were decidedly modern. Small spaces were thought to be best suited to the sleek, . . .

Posted: 2008-11-09

Frequent flying aircraft unlikely cause of static electricity

Question:I own a home in St. James close to the airport and in line with the flight paths. For the nine years I have lived here we have had a problem with static in the house, despite constantly running a . . .

Posted: 2015-07-25

Comfortable ... that's the plan

Well-thought-out design makes condo extremely livable

No matter whether you choose to call a house or condominium home, there's one feature you can't live without: a well-conceived floor plan that makes the interior navigable and, above all, livable. That's especially true where condominium living is concerned. Even . . .

Posted: 2009-05-10

Bathroom updates bring it out of the closet

BATHROOM updates can be costly but if the fixtures and plumbing are in good condition sometimes all you need to do is give the space a facelift. One of the following hot bathroom trends might be the answer to your . . .

Posted: 2011-08-06

Don't rush into a kitchen reno -- plan first

RENOVATING a kitchen usually starts with a design for convenience, organization and functionality. The following tips will create a fresh ergonomic kitchen while providing you with an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. 1. There are five basic kitchen layouts: The . . .

Posted: 2008-02-03

Removal of flooring likely required to repair squeaks

Question: I am having trouble with my laminate floors, which are squeaking. I have tried adding cross members between the joists under the plywood seams and I have tried adding shims between the joists and plywood, but the plywood and . . .

Posted: 2015-10-31