Cottage kitchen facelift

Remote job sites always bring challenges

The importance of ensuring everything will be on hand upon arriving at a remote jobsite cannot be overstated. Prior to departing for a boat-access only cottage kitchen facelift project, the list of required tools, necessary materials and fasteners was . . .

Posted: 2024-06-29

Little shack on the Prairie

Killarney couple building dreams with repurposed lumber

Gotta love it when a fantasy comes together. I speak of none other than Reg Sawatzky’s very own little house on the Prairie. According to Reg, he’s had the dream digs in his head for a long time, and it . . .

Posted: 2021-09-18

CONNIE OLIVER: Create a new kitchen with Old World charm

This beautiful kitchen exudes tons of Old World charm. You can almost feel the comforting warmth of the golden hues and smell the roasting eggplant Parmesan and garlic bread. It's no easy feat to create a room design that evokes . . .

Posted: 2012-03-03

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Proper insulation will prevent leakage through skylights

QUESTION: I live in Saskatoon and have a Velux skylight in my son's bedroom that was installed about 16 years ago. It has leaked about three times since its installation, but this winter the leakage from the ice damming has . . .

Posted: 2013-03-23

TREE CARE: Fertilize spruce trees to fight disease

Phone messages and emails are piling up with homeowner worries about their spruce-tree needles turning orange-brown almost overnight. While there's more than one culprit, this year's wet spring and long, hot, dry summer set a significant fungus disease called Sirococcus tip . . .

Posted: 2011-11-05

Sealing and improving ventilation in attic worth the effort

Question: I am in an old 1950s house in the forest of New Brunswick and it is -19C outside. The thermometer in the attic registers -13C. That isn't too bad of a difference, considering how cold it is out? The thing . . .

Posted: 2021-02-13

Washing a duvet at home a tough trick

While it's recommended to use the instructions on the label, a bathtub scrub can do the job

QUESTION: Can you tell me if it is possible to wash a duvet (a good-quality one with goose down) and then dry it in the dryer? In the past I had it dry cleaned but I don’t care for the . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Tasteful and functional in Transcona

Canterbury Crossing two-storey large and efficient

As recently as five years ago, the average size of a two-storey home was in the 2, 000 sq. ft. range. Today, with high material costs and lot prices, homes are now being built on smaller, more narrow lots to . . .

Posted: 2024-02-24

Room to grow

Home's design allows for grandparents to move in

Kicking it up a notch.That's what the Ventura Custom Homes design team did to the main-floor design of the Pinewood A."While this home is a visitable design -- it's been designed to provide easy access to all areas for persons . . .

Posted: 2012-12-29

Longevity should drive driveway repairs

Retopping with asphalt an option, but may not be cheapest over time

Question — Please advise on paving over concrete driveways with asphalt, as is done on city streets and commercial parking lots. Thank you, Michael Bazak. Answer — With any driveway job, the condition of the base is the most important . . .

Posted: 2022-12-17