Condo board lacks common sense on furnace vent blockages

Question: I’m hoping you can help me figure out if it’s safe to plant vegetation in front of new intake and exhaust high-efficiency furnace vents. I would rather not put any potential obstructions near the vents, terminating through the side . . .

Posted: 2018-07-28

FIREPLACE ADDS FLASH to backyard setting

Elevates landscape with stunning effect

For landscape designer Colleen Watson, fall is one of the most exhilarating times of the year. The same goes for many homeowners, too.What's driving them? Backyard projects that are nearing completion.On crisp fall days when temperatures are in single digits . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Great first impression

Subtle changes bring foyer in line with rest of home

When an area of a house stands out for all the wrong reasons, it is comforting when a plan comes together to remedy the unsightly situation. For years, the front foyer did not properly showcase the aesthetic consistency found in . . .

Posted: 2020-12-26

Respecting home's heritage by rejecting clichés

It is rare and refreshing to view a renovation that does not conform to the open-area concept that has become a modern cliché.Homes renovated in the first decades of the 21st century will be known for their conspicuous lack of . . .

Posted: 2015-04-18

Switching to energy-efficient bulbs a bright idea

Renovation time is a good time to save moolah. It's easy. Just ensure any new light fixtures you buy are equipped with Energy Star approved bulbs and, at the same time, replace existing incandescent lamps in your home with energy-efficient . . .

Posted: 2015-02-28

Managing radon risk needn't be complicated

Solutions to serious health concern can be simple

Question: Public awareness of radon, its dangers and mitigation are increasing. With some of the older housing stock we have here in Winnipeg, such radon mitigation efforts are not without their challenges. How does one mitigate radon using active soil . . .

Posted: 2018-03-17

Give thanks and give credit

Acknowledging great service can brighten dark days

We cannot escape one immutable truth; all things will eventually falter. Once we expect and accept this aspect in our lives, we must also embrace the necessity to compile a list of customer service individuals upon which we can rely, . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

All grown up? Dump the junk from your 20s

Navigating your 20s can be challenging, to say the least.Amid your youthful yearning for carefree conduct is the sudden weight of career choices and major life decisions. While carefree and wild, life as a 20-something is also often fraught with . . .

Posted: 2016-11-26

Dreaming in 3-D

The next generation in landscape design

The decision to create the outdoor space of your dreams is one of life’s big moments. The completed project, if it accomplishes or exceeds your goals and expectations, has the potential to impact your daily life in many ways.Are your . . .

Posted: 2016-04-30

Green is the new black

Blooming good ideas for how to reduce your carbon footprint when gardening

Feeling a disconnect between carbon taxes and carbon rebates and how it all fits into the grand scheme of things? Here are some examples of local businesses that are embracing green solutions as well as practical steps you can take . . .

Posted: 2018-11-03