The mystery of the missing cold-air vents

QUESTION: We have a 1948 1�-storey house. Just wondering why there are no cold-air return vents in the upper level or basement, just on the main floor?Bill YoungerAnswer: There are a lot of differences between modern homes and those built . . .

Posted: 2015-05-23

A lot to work with

Builder saw the land, imagined the home right away

When Jason Arlt saw the lot at 50 Highland Creek Rd. in Bridgwater Forest, he immediately felt a quiet excitement. That's because he visualized the design of the home right away. "It was a gorgeous lot with good width (58 feet) backing . . .

Posted: 2011-04-23

Efficiencies found in kitchen move

A lucky coincidence allows this build to be completed over a weekend

Have you ever noticed your house has at least one plumbing wall in common, providing services to two rooms adjacent to each other? This isn’t by accident. It is efficient and cost effective to have a common wall which contains water . . .

Posted: 2018-05-12

CONNIE OLIVER: There's room at the top

Attic spaces are good for so much more than storage -- you can live in them, for instance

Attics can be great places to create much needed additional living space in your home. Depending upon the style of your house, you may be able to find enough usable attic space to create a bedroom, home office, media room or . . .

Posted: 2009-05-31

Giving your home that trendy look for 2011

Dear Marc: I plan a complete redesign of my home and want it to be trendy. What are the trends in colour, texture and style coming up this year? -- Jasmine Dear Jasmine: 2011 is one of the trendiest years to . . .

Posted: 2011-03-26

Eco-friendly, plenty of Zen

Home even includes space for yoga and meditation

It was a concept that James Buduhan had simmering on the back burner of his creative imagination for several years. Finally -- about two years ago -- he finally had the opportunity to bring that concept to light: an infill home . . .

Posted: 2010-11-06

Little care needed for hardy cacti

Question: Can you please send me a tried-and-true remedy for fertilizing a cactus? — Betty Answer: Cacti are hardy plants that require low nutrient care. Homemade cacti fertilizer is as easy as combining 1 tbsp of Epsom salt and 1 gallon water. Misting . . .

Posted: 2017-11-18

Eliminating cold room could go one of two ways

No real reason for a root cellar in the 21st century anyway

Question: I just read an excellent older article of yours online about eliminating a cold room. We purchased our home four years ago. It has a 6x18 cold room we have no intention of using. There are two round vents to the outside. After . . .

Posted: 2019-08-24

Dividing-wall debacle

Bungalow renovation takes a turn for the worse, but owners happy with end result

Live in a gloomy, cramped bungalow built in the late 1940s?Why not remove a few divider walls to open those tiny rooms to let in the light and accommodate a growing number of family members, including grandchildren?That is what Rick . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Trapped in your garage lately?

Trapp Doors has been serving Manitobans for more than 25 years

Ever been trapped in your garage by your own garage door? If there’s one thing I’m not going to do today it’s make trap door jokes just because the subject of this column is Gerry Trapp of Trapp Doors. Nope. Not . . .

Posted: 2021-03-06