Barn-style simplicity in your bathroom

There’s a bathroom revolution going on — I’ve witnessed it first-hand! Gone are the days of tubs and shower combos and with there, the finicky shower curtain that always seems to rip and tear from the curtain rod with an . . .

Posted: 2017-10-28

Cooking oil makes peeling boiled eggs simple

Question: What can I add to the water to make hard-boiled eggs easier to peel? — Donna Answer: Add a small amount of vegetable oil to the pot while boiling eggs. The shells absorb just enough of the oil so that the shells . . .

Posted: 2018-03-10

Look up — and smile

Perimeter box-framing a decorative ceiling approach

At the start of any renovation it’s generally a rule of thumb to embrace gravity, and place impending tasks in order from high to low. As such, addressing any ceiling modifications would be first on my list. Amid my current . . .

Posted: 2024-02-17

Vintage elements can bring charm to a bathroom

This lovely vintage bathroom is the perfect example of how old and new can work together to produce a room with real charm.If you want to create a room filled with character and are starting from scratch, you'll want to . . .

Posted: 2015-12-19

Realtor recognized for exceptional service

Nearly 33 years ago, Al Shrupka was at a career crossroads. After selling his shares in a sales and marketing agency he co-owned, the lifelong entrepreneur was looking for another venture to get involved in but wasn’t sure in what . . .

Posted: 2023-03-25

Bulk up those bulkheads

Covering ceiling elements gives attractive results

Remodelling a basement from nothing but a concrete shell, is a time-consuming experience. Once the room layout has been established, the framing can begin, and the space quickly starts to take shape. Unlike other levels of the house, basements often . . .

Posted: 2022-03-12

MIKE HOLMES: Don't close the door on idea of pocket doors

Doing it right isn't easy, but it is elegant

Pocket doors have been around a long time, but their traditional design also works with a modern look. But homeowners have a love-hate relationship with pocket doors. I'd like to open that door and shed some light on them. Let's first . . .

Posted: 2010-02-27

Room to manoeuvre

Wolseley home converted for accessibility

When you walk by 139 Garfield Street, it looks like any other two-storey home on the street. That's exactly what Deborah Stienstra and her late husband, Patrick Kellerman, had in mind when they turned a bungalow -- built in 1923 -- . . .

Posted: 2009-04-19

Fabulous deck the answer to magical question

How one homeowner's 'Tuxedo Riviera' was born

Most clients have a pretty good idea what it is they’d like to achieve before a contractor’s first visit, regarding renovations and upgrades to their home and/or property. They’ll often provide a crude sketch with visible revisions and walk the contractor . . .

Posted: 2017-04-22

Splintering deck needn't be the end -- there are fixes for that

Splintering decks are usually the result of neglect — occurring after a deck remains untreated and unsealed for a number of years. The lack of protection allows water to soak into the boards, eventually causing them to splinter and crack. Fortunately, all . . .

Posted: 2018-06-02