He's baaack

It's time to show Ol' Man Winter you mean business

Face it, winter is upon us. Oh, sure, it's technically still early fall and we might get a few more mild days. But get ready for a sucker punch from winter -- the cranky season that bullies fall and spring . . .

Posted: 2009-11-07

'Classic, character home'

Like-new condition in a fantastic location

It isn't every day that a custom homebuilder's house comes up for sale.   Not surprisingly, such a house is a remarkable home, said David De Leeuw of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate. "When this home was built in 1988, extreme care . . .

Posted: 2012-06-09

Side-yard garden an excellent green idea

QUESTION: On one side of our property, the neighbour's house is nine feet from ours, directly south. The space in between our houses is effectively useless. The area is quite warm, as the sun does shine here very strong throughout . . .

Posted: 2012-07-28

CONNIE OLIVER: Easy techniques for creating a focal point

Got ilk? If you're renting, this column might be of particular interest because these ideas are not permanent and can be easily incorporated into a rental unit. The majority of rental apartments are lacking in architectural detail, so creating focus is even . . .

Posted: 2012-06-23

Beyond green

�ñº Environmentally friendly -- right down to the paint

The elements that make Mike Brigham's home special aren't just the luxury items -- the gorgeous granite countertops and state-of-the-art home-theatre systems -- they're the things visitors can't see at all. Brigham's home was built to R-2000 standards, designed to maximize . . .

Posted: 2009-04-12

The fifth wall

Ceiling often overlooked when decorating

After all is said and done and your place is looking sharp, consider adding a decorative element to the fifth wall.Ceilings are often overlooked, but when decorated can add tons of character to your home. I’m just as guilty as . . .

Posted: 2016-06-04

Drain hose critical for effective sump pump

Question: I wanted to know what can be done in terms of landscaping on the side of my house, where I have a sump pump discharge line that is about four feet above ground level. Our house is a raised . . .

Posted: 2020-04-04

There are alternative options to a concrete sidewalk

Question: What are your thoughts on rubber paving blocks or rubber stone, as an alternative to total replacement, for an older concrete sidewalk? William K. Answer: Replacement of an older settled or damaged concrete sidewalk with alternative materials is . . .

Posted: 2023-05-06

MIKE HOLMES: Net-zero house a big plus in the long term

Homeowners, builders and architects are working together and pushing standards to build net-zero homes. These homes produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis, taking the EnerGuide rating up to 100. EnerGuide rates the energy efficiency of a . . .

Posted: 2013-06-22

Shutting off water supply before winter vacation a good idea

Question: We plan to be away from our Winnipeg home for the next eight weeks and were planning to turn off our water. Would the furnace or electric hot water tank be negatively impacted? Thank you. — Diane Answer: Leaving a home . . .

Posted: 2019-11-30