The Gates to the past are wide open

Iconic dining and banquet spot once a rustic rural retreat

Did you know that long before the gorgeous Gates on Roblin was a fab dining destination, it was a beautiful Dutch Colonial house built in 1936? It was actually presented as a retirement gift to Fred Pugh, a longtime researcher for . . .

Posted: 2021-05-01

Hot tips to remove melted candle wax

Question: I own a wooden desk, I made the mistake of placing a red candle on top without a holder and after sometime I moved it only to find that the wax of the candle left a red ring on . . .

Posted: 2021-05-01

Best solution always the one that works

Wrong trusses weren't a problem in the end

For larger construction projects, it can take several weeks of pre-planning to properly co-ordinate the job and despite the best efforts, sometimes things don’t always go as planned. When an obstacle does present itself, quick thinking and compromise are both key . . .

Posted: 2021-05-01

Go big and go home

Spacious and stylish two-storey luxurious and livable

When designing a home it’s always easy to go big. But putting all that space to good use in a king-sized layout can be a challenge. Foxridge Homes’ design team went big and nailed it with this spectacular show home at 725 . . .

Posted: 2021-05-01

Move-in ready homes for wildlife visitors

Promote biodiversity and encourage natural predators to control garden pests

While we wait for warmer weather and the chance to begin tending our gardens, birds and other small creatures are already hard at work searching for food and the most flower-rich habitats that will provide a rich source of nectar . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24

In perfect tune

Garage fire brings kindred spirits together for restoration

Nearly a decade ago a friend who worked at a restoration company called me regarding a job his company had taken on. There had been a garage fire, and by all accounts the majority of the contents as well as . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24

Wrong product likely used in fireplace application

Question: Hope you can offer a solution to this question. Last year we had a major renovation done, which included a new fireplace. The old brick one was removed and a gas insert and new surround were installed. Our designer, who . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24

Hire a pro renovator to get the job done right

Now that we have hopefully seen the last bit of snow for the season, it’s a great time for homeowners to begin planning for the renovation projects they want to tackle this summer. For those who aren’t the do-it-yourself types, finding . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24

Treasure chest of joy

Collecting fun and profitable, if kept in check

Are you a hoarder? Thankfully, I’m not. Even though I love to rescue things, and have a fair amount of "stuff" in my possession, I don’t want to keep all of it. Hoarders do. According to the good folks at the Mayo . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24

Producing perfect pancakes easier than pie

Question: What are some tips for making great pancakes every time? Beth Answer: The No. 1 rule is, don’t over-stir the batter. During cooking, when you see bubbles forming, that’s the sign that it’s time to flip (the pancake, not yourself). For . . .

Posted: 2021-04-24