On the lower level

Framing basement can be tricky job, but careful planning helps

When planning a full basement project from bare concrete floor and walls to fully finished, the layout is first designed to meet all the desired rooms, typically the main rec-room area, a bathroom, laundry, furnace room, and one or more . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Acetone will help thick nail polish flow better

Question: I have a clear nail polish with colour specks in it that I like to put over regular colour nail polish to sparkle it up, but it has become quite thick. Is there any way that I can thin . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Popular Ontario mail-order nursery pivots

Unprecedented demand for perennials forces a reset

Who can resist scouring online catalogues for seeds and plants? Mail order catalogues put tantalizing plant acquisitions within our reach. Practically speaking, whenever new plant or seed catalogs launch each year — many of them during the month of February . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong

Murphy’s Law tests Mustard’s patience

Last Sunday was just one of those days. A Murphy’s Law day. Of late, I’ve used the cold and snow to inspire myself to go through the house, pick out a few things to donate or sell, one of them being (sell . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Garage goals

Insulation, sheeting makes sense in our climate

Question: I live in a home built in Winnipeg seven years ago. I wish to make my garage a nicer space. I plan on completing the drywall in my attached garage. I really don’t ever plan on heating my garage, although . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Spring Parade of Homes just around the corner

The snow and cold temperatures we’ve experienced this past week might make it hard to believe, but spring really is just around the corner and we are only five weeks away from the 2022 Spring Parade of Homes! The Manitoba Home . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Class & Character

Prairie Pointe two-storey balances style and utility

Builders are always looking to make a statement when they conceive a plan for a new show home. However, there’s an element of risk associated with trying too hard to turn heads: that a bold design theme might not appeal to . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Opportunity knocking in Charleswood

Raised bungalow is big, bold and better than new

Over the past 18 months, sales of new homes have skyrocketed due to demand brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the demand is still so high that those wanting to build new are facing wait times of a year, . . .

Posted: 2022-01-22

Peaches on the Prairies?

With proper overwintering, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labours

Don’t tell Bernie Nikolai it isn’t possible to grow peaches or figs outdoors on the Canadian Prairies. He has been doing it successfully for several years in his backyard in Edmonton. Take, for example, what Nikolai refers to as his . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15

‘Bee' there for someone

A little collective effort can truly brighten someone’s life

So it’s already mid-January, and I consider March to be winter’s end, making it only six weeks till spring, and what a wonderful thing that is! Humour me on this, will ya? Mercy. Sitting here pondering summer and the many outside projects I . . .

Posted: 2022-01-15