Fill area under porch with crushed stone rather than concrete

Question: Just saw your article online about cold storage rooms in basements and was wondering if it is recommended to completely fill it in with concrete? We live in an older house, with cold storage under the front porch, which is . . .

Posted: 2021-09-11

Fresh eggs are the only way to scramble

Question: I seem to have a talent for cooking chewy scrambled eggs. They turn out kind of tough, every time. Any tips would be useful? Captain Spike Answer: Here are a few tips for fluffy, restaurant-quality eggs. Start with fresh eggs, . . .

Posted: 2021-09-11

Living large in La Salle

Renting rural can make sense for downsizers

About four years ago, the management team at Cobblestone Homes looked at the 55-plus market and made an interesting observation. They determined not all empty nest couples wanted to buy a condominium after selling their home. Furthermore, many couples coming from . . .

Posted: 2021-09-11

Get into Wolseley without breaking the bank

Cool top-floor condo courtly and crisp

With many home prices in Wolseley starting near $400, 000, young professionals — singles or couples — are finding it difficult to get into a single-family home. Eric Neumann of Realty Executives First Choice says rather than despairing, first-time buyers need . . .

Posted: 2021-09-11

Growing beauty in Birtle

Gallery in the Garden never happened -- but don't tell Val Thomson

What’s the best garden tour you missed? Gallery in the Garden is hosted every July by the Birtle Centre for the Arts but like so many other garden tours this year that were cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, it . . .

Posted: 2021-09-04

Sunroom makeover gives backyard oasis new life

Screen replacement attractive and cost-effective

What does it mean when a homeowner asks you to perform a room refresh? This question brings a wide range of facelift possibilities, from a simple coat of paint to gutting a room and starting fresh. At a recent sunroom . . .

Posted: 2021-09-04

Backyard rock stars build perfect patio

Couple lays stones -- one piece at a time

Congratulations to Bayne and Mary Robertson who are currently in labour, and soon to deliver their brand spanking new stone patio. And what a beauty it is! Bayne tells me this all started innocently enough. They needed a 12 x 12 . . .

Posted: 2021-09-04

Reducing humidity key to solving condensation issues

Question: I live in Louisiana and have been trying to solve a moisture issue. I was Googling and stumbled across one of your columns on your site. When the temperature drops outside, we have had moisture accumulate on the back . . .

Posted: 2021-09-04

Wealth of style in West St. Paul

Striking design features black and white colour scheme

When builders conceive a show home, their goal is always to make a statement with its design. That goal is fraught with peril for one lone, but significant reason: push the envelope too far to make that statement, and you run . . .

Posted: 2021-09-04

Opportunity of a lifetime in Falcon Lake

Large and lavish log cabin defines lakeside luxury

For some reason, many Manitobans think you have to travel outside the province to Ontario’s Lake of the Woods to enjoy true lakeside luxury. There’s no need to do that when you can find a cottage like the rustic-modern masterpiece that . . .

Posted: 2021-09-04