Shelter from the storm

Pergolas are not only useful, they are also MAGICAL

Having mentioned in a previous column how trends tend to come in waves, this season is once again the "summer of pergola". By the close of my scheduled exterior builds, four or five pergolas will have been built for hire, . . .

Posted: 2022-07-16

Green and easy

Homeowners have new care-free, afforable options

Where Ceilidh Corcoran lives, neighbours refer to her as "the green girl." Since Corcoran moved in about two months ago, she's been slowly upgrading her 94-year-old Edmonton home to fit her needs and her style -- and she's done it all . . .

Posted: 2009-10-25

Metamorphosis of mammoth proportions

Kitchen renovation sparkles and shines

Of all the upgrades that include new ceilings and lighting, new flooring and trim, fresh paint throughout, and a newly populated bathroom, it is the updated kitchen design that punctuates the success of this recently completed main floor remodel . . .

Posted: 2023-04-08

Glitches call for quick fixes

When things go wrong, they can almost always be put right

I always aspire to achieve the best results for my clients under any circumstance. Whether it’s an interior or exterior project, each has its own set of variables that can wreak havoc. But circumstances that cause issues can always be . . .

Posted: 2025-07-26

The taxman giveth

Feds, province, city all provide incentives to fix up homes

Improve your home. Pay fewer taxes. It sounds like a match made in renovation heaven. The federal government's recent announcement to offer a tax credit to spruce up our homes may have some of us thinking -- just what other incentives . . .

Posted: 2009-02-07

Bright ideas

Getting those delayed jobs done feels great

The work on this condo apartment began sometime in early 2019 and included adding a feature wall, a facelift to a mobile island in the kitchen and a few other smaller jobs. Things ground to a halt in early 2020, . . .

Posted: 2021-03-20

TREE CARE: Questions of poplar (and other) interest

I get hundreds of requests for information about trees and shrubs every year. Here are a few I thought might have popular interest for readers of this column. QUESTION: For the last couple of years, the leaves of my large poplar . . .

Posted: 2010-08-21

Well-rounded

Fort Garry two-storey offers great value and convenient location

From the outside, 1309 Edderton Ave. looks much like any other home that lines the west Fort Garry street. However, looks can be deceiving, said Carly Kuppers of Century 21 Bachman & Associates."At first glance, it doesn't look a whole . . .

Posted: 2016-01-30

TREE CARE: You can fight leaf yellowing from rains

LAST year, at around this time, I wrote about problems with southern Manitoba fruit trees caused by heavy rainfalls. This year, it's no different. In fact, it's worse. Here's what I wrote last year: "In infertile soils that are certainly typical of most . . .

Posted: 2010-07-03

Keep insects at bay to protect trees and fruit

Insects are known to appear in yearly cycles on all infested stone fruits. Plum curculio damage has been increasingly common in the recent past, but this insect can also make apples, cherries and apricots completely inedible. These insects, called weevils, . . .

Posted: 2016-04-30