Pop popcorn in fridge for safekeeping

QUESTION: I have taken on a new hobby, which is growing popcorn in my garden. What is the best way to store popcorn so it stays fresh? Biannce (Winnipeg) ANSWER: Popcorn is a great treat year round. One of the advantages . . .

Posted: 2013-07-20

SOLUTIONS: Tips to bring dinnerware up to scratch

QUESTION: I purchased a new set of dishes, only to find there are scratches left from the cutlery after use. This is the second dinnerware set I have had difficulty with. The dishes have both been ivory in colour with . . .

Posted: 2013-01-26

Warming up for winter

Floor-to-ceiling fireplace brings the heat

It can be quite flattering when a past client reaches out to request my design input to customize areas in a new home, because the renovations done in the old house are sorely missed. Recently, I was asked to . . .

Posted: 2023-09-30

Shelter from the storm

Pergolas are not only useful, they are also MAGICAL

Having mentioned in a previous column how trends tend to come in waves, this season is once again the "summer of pergola". By the close of my scheduled exterior builds, four or five pergolas will have been built for hire, . . .

Posted: 2022-07-16

Glitches call for quick fixes

When things go wrong, they can almost always be put right

I always aspire to achieve the best results for my clients under any circumstance. Whether it’s an interior or exterior project, each has its own set of variables that can wreak havoc. But circumstances that cause issues can always be . . .

Posted: 2025-07-26

Green and easy

Homeowners have new care-free, afforable options

Where Ceilidh Corcoran lives, neighbours refer to her as "the green girl." Since Corcoran moved in about two months ago, she's been slowly upgrading her 94-year-old Edmonton home to fit her needs and her style -- and she's done it all . . .

Posted: 2009-10-25

Bright ideas

Getting those delayed jobs done feels great

The work on this condo apartment began sometime in early 2019 and included adding a feature wall, a facelift to a mobile island in the kitchen and a few other smaller jobs. Things ground to a halt in early 2020, . . .

Posted: 2021-03-20

Metamorphosis of mammoth proportions

Kitchen renovation sparkles and shines

Of all the upgrades that include new ceilings and lighting, new flooring and trim, fresh paint throughout, and a newly populated bathroom, it is the updated kitchen design that punctuates the success of this recently completed main floor remodel . . .

Posted: 2023-04-08

TREE CARE: Questions of poplar (and other) interest

I get hundreds of requests for information about trees and shrubs every year. Here are a few I thought might have popular interest for readers of this column. QUESTION: For the last couple of years, the leaves of my large poplar . . .

Posted: 2010-08-21

The taxman giveth

Feds, province, city all provide incentives to fix up homes

Improve your home. Pay fewer taxes. It sounds like a match made in renovation heaven. The federal government's recent announcement to offer a tax credit to spruce up our homes may have some of us thinking -- just what other incentives . . .

Posted: 2009-02-07