Green walls sprouting up in Winnipeg

Vertical garden contributes to education at local school

I first wrote about living green walls in this column about four years ago (November 2013). Back then, high-tech vertical gardens were finding their way into the offices of large corporate clients in big cities across Canada. In Winnipeg, not . . .

Posted: 2018-01-20

The right way... and the wrong way

In the renovation business, they are referred to as "truck-and-ladder" contractors. Though they may offer home renos for 50 per cent less than certified contractors, hiring a fly-by-nighter could end up costing you much more money than you expected to . . .

Posted: 2015-02-07

Family-friendly jewel

Randall Homes’ Jaipur design built for the needs of a growing brood

When a family of five or more is searching for a new home, their top priority — quite understandably — is space. That said, another priority — call it priority 1A — is that a home must possess a definite . . .

Posted: 2025-03-01

Plant trees, please

Strategies for achieving your growing goals

Shopping for trees and the planting and maintenance of trees involves careful planning. Strategies are needed to ensure that young trees have healthy, decades-long lives. When Marion Lewis and Earl Stafford went to Lacoste Garden Centre in April to purchase several . . .

Posted: 2021-06-05

Effective quotes protect client and builder

Avoid surprises with a thorough cost breakdown

Quoting is an inescapable process that, as a contractor, comes with the territory of renovations and construction. Depending on the requested tasks or project’s complexity, generating a quote for a potential customer can sometimes prove to be a laborious process . . .

Posted: 2019-02-09

Simple, yet sophisticated

Bridgwater Forest home offers striking blend of styles

When you're the new kid on the block as a home builder, you face a pressing question: how to distinguish yourself from your competitors. In the case of Tae San Homes -- a three-year-old company in the nascent stages of establishing . . .

Posted: 2010-08-28

Size Matters

Cozy or capacious, make every room measure up

MINIMAL SPACE, MAXIMUM STYLE Does your place lack space? The biggest challenge is trying to trick the eye into making your home appear larger than it is. You can achieve that illusion with the right paint palette, lighting, . . .

Posted: 2019-09-05

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Structural wood floors require proper installation

QUESTION: I read your column every week in the Winnipeg Free Press. Although I don't have a specific question regarding my current home, I do have a question about current new-home-construction methods, specifically with regard to structural wood floors (SWFs). More . . .

Posted: 2012-12-08

A bevy of good luck on this reno

Failed mini-fridge results in nifty replacement

It’s always disappointing when an appliance fails only a few months past the expiration date of its warranty. Upon the completion of our dining room renovation, the space was populated with an expanded dining room table, a wall-mounted electric fireplace, . . .

Posted: 2020-03-21

Classic lines, modern luxury

Beautiful bungalow has it all

Some homes naturally capture your attention, while others don’t. Such is the case with Artista Homes’ new show home at 8 Bryce Boulevard in Oak Bluff West. You can’t help but be instantly drawn to its sleek silhouette and clean lines, . . .

Posted: 2025-09-06