Paddling perfection

Family treasure ready to hit the water

Got any heirlooms kicking around? You know, those valuable objects that have been around for generations. I have a few here at home, one of the most interesting being a ring my Grandma Lyle (née Baird) brought with her from Scotland when . . .

Posted: 2021-04-17

Do it yourself, but do your homework first

In times of economic hardship, "do-it-yourself" is a tempting mantra for many homeowners with dripping faucets, running toilets, leaky windows or sticky locks. The savings can add up when you don't have to call a repairman, especially for things like painting, . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

Winnipeg Renovation Show in town next weekend

The MHBA’s Ask A Renovator booth is a signature feature of next weekend’s 2024 Winnipeg Renovation Show, taking place at the RBC Convention Centre from January 12 to 14. The Ask a Renovator booth is staffed by professional Manitoba Home . . .

Posted: 2024-01-06

Pumice stone will take stains out of grout

Question: Can you please suggest an effective way to clean bathroom grout? Best, Lu Answer: Purchase a handy little piece of pumice stone. Pour some dish soap onto the pumice stone and wet it, then lightly scrub the grout; looks . . .

Posted: 2022-10-22

Imitation not always better than real thing

Newer materials should be tested rigorously before mainstream use

Question: We had our new home faced with imitation stone siding. It did an attractive job. Early one morning, about a week ago, we heard tapping on the outside of the house. I stepped outside and saw a woodpecker fly . . .

Posted: 2018-06-09

Upgrade your home to get top dollar

Get the most return from your home investment with these improvements

Prepping your house for sale is necessary to get top dollar, but don’t sink too much into a property that will soon not be yours. Recouping some of those funds at closing is ideal. Aside from general house cleaning, organizing and . . .

Posted: 2017-07-08

If you value a picture, you'll pay to frame it

OTTAWA -- We've all done it: gone to a frame shop to see about getting a photo, poster, painting or medals framed, and we've nearly choked at the $300 estimate. How is that possible when stores sell framed art for . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Declutter your life

Not every good New Year's resolution involves food and exercise

Organizing is always a popular topic around the new year, as people resolve to de-clutter, de-stress and generally start over with a clean slate. We asked Cris Sgrott-Wheedleton, owner and founder of Organizing Maniacs in Tysons Corner, VA., for her . . .

Posted: 2017-01-14

Any way you stack it

Faux stone can turn a dull space into a wow

Before starting a slew of main-floor upgrades during a six-week renovation, the homeowner wisely had their existing gas fireplace updated in anticipation of one of my final projects at this jobsite. Once the vinyl plank flooring, new interior doors, baseboards . . .

Posted: 2025-06-28

Sticking points

How different brands of painter's tape perform

The timing was perfect: 3M sent samples of its Scotch Blue painter's tape and I had a whole basement worth of trim that needed painting, so why not try out a bunch of different tapes to find out how they . . .

Posted: 2012-04-07