Getaway plan

Turn your backyard into a private oasis

With rising cottage -- and gas -- prices making it more and more expensive to get away from it all, an increasing number of people are finding creative ways to get some well-deserved R and R. What's the most prevalent trend, . . .

Posted: 2008-06-29

Your floor isn't meant for storing stuff

Instead of buying more boxes, decide if all your things are worth keeping

Drawers, shelves, cabinets and closets are all storage spaces. Your floor is not. More and more, I’ve noticed people using their floor to store clothing, books, paper, wine, serving dishes and more. If you are using the floor to regularly store . . .

Posted: 2019-05-11

MIKE HOLMES: Title insurance may not have you covered

There's a lot of confusion about title insurance. Some people call title insurance the "surprise" insurance because they assume it covers any surprises with the property they're buying. It's only when there's a problem that homeowners actually check what their policy . . .

Posted: 2012-12-22

Basement floor a job best left for professionals

QUESTION: My Wolseley home was built in the 1920s, and my basement has gone through some heaving.Now I'm faced with removing the cracked basement slab and replacing it. I have read similar articles to yours, in regards to this type . . .

Posted: 2015-04-25

Hot tips for saunas done right

Some health professionals say using a sauna can help with arthritis pain, circulation and getting rid of toxins. I don't know much about that. But what I do know is that some downtime in a sauna feels awesome. The problem with . . .

Posted: 2013-08-10

CONNIE OLIVER: A touch of glass

Decorative elements add to home's décor

Using decorative glass elements in the home is not new but its scope of design possibilities is often overlooked and underestimated. Today we'll look at the wide range of options for using art glass in the decor. Glass is comprised of . . .

Posted: 2011-04-30

Last-minute tree decorating

You've got it out of the box -- that was the easy part!

Dear Marc: The holidays are here and my tree isn't decorated yet! I've been procrastinating as I don't really know how to properly decorate a tree. Can you give me a crash course? Jeremy Dear Jeremy: There is no way to ignore it, . . .

Posted: 2012-12-22

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Licensing for home inspectors considered

IN Manitoba, home inspectors currently aren't licenced. British Columbia, which is the only province that requires a licence, only enacted legislation a little over a year ago. I tell consumers they should be careful about inspectors who boast that they are . . .

Posted: 2010-04-03

Permaculture has landed

Leave a smaller footprint, use less energy and get bigger yields

IF you haven't heard of permaculture, you can expect to see it popping up in connection with small-scale organic gardening and farming. But there's more to it than that just growing food. Permaculture is a way of living more responsibly, mindfully . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Big and bold in Bridgwater

Massive two-storey ready for your growing family

As romantic as the idea of buying a brand-new home is, it’s not as ideal as it initially seems. Truth be told, many new homes come without key amenities such as landscaping, appliances, a backyard deck, and a developed lower . . .

Posted: 2024-02-24