Say yes to your dream home

Building new can be daunting, but it’s doable

Making the decision to build a new home can seem like a daunting task. For many people, it’s the largest investment they will make in their lifetime. It can be an intimidating process with a multitude of choices to . . .

Posted: 2025-07-12

What a charmer

Cosy home has big appeal

When you’re looking for a starter home, it’s easy to write off a smaller house due to the possibility of space constraints. That’s totally understandable, because when it comes to a home that’s 700 square feet or smaller, either it’s . . .

Posted: 2025-07-12

A note to our readers

Free Press gardening columnist Colleen Zacharias is away temporarily. Her column will resume at a later date. jkhkjhjkh . . .

Posted: 2025-07-05

A top-shelf project

Built-ins can make the most of niche spaces

Many houses have inset nooks, or strategically placed build-outs. For example, a dining area build-out is a great place to position a hutch for formal dishes, family heirlooms and other cherished objects. At a recent jobsite, both the dining area and . . .

Posted: 2025-07-05

Winning style

Perfect homes for new beginnings

When empty-nesters look for a home to downsize to, they tend to look for a few key characteristics. First — if possible — it needs to be in a quiet area where it’s possible to sit outside and enjoy a . . .

Posted: 2025-07-05

Fine dining

Stylish, sun-splashed bungalow feels light and airy

While a 24-year-old home isn’t old, you can be assured it was built at a time when home layout was in flux. A house of that vintage was envisioned when traditional home design was transitioning to modern home design, with . . .

Posted: 2025-07-05

Perennial favourites

Best picks for continuous colour, great performance

It’s perennials season, not only in our gardens but at local garden centres, where fresh shipments are arriving weekly. While annuals bring vivid colour to containers and brighten borders, perennials are garden essentials. Each year, Craig Gillespie, horticulture supervisor of . . .

Posted: 2025-06-28

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

Plenty of room for the whole family

Make it your own

When a large family looks at what they desire most in a home, their first preference is always function. That’s entirely understandable. After all, home is where they’ll be spending the bulk of their time, activities and social commitments aside. Big, growing . . .

Posted: 2025-06-28

Make yourself at home

Elegant two-storey is warm and welcoming

As exciting as it is to purchase a new home, there are two small but significant details that can add stress to the big occasion. The first is that, in many cases, the home might need to be updated significantly . . .

Posted: 2025-06-28