Minor evidence of moisture in crawl space likely not an issue

Question: I think about you every time I open the hatch to enter the crawl space below our basement floor. We had the home custom built in 2007 and I presume met all bylaw requirements of the day. The dirt . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Clean slate for this ceiling

Access traded for esthetics in this basement rec room

Although the rule of thumb with basement ceilings is to introduce a suspended ceiling (also known as a drop ceiling) to allow access to services and utility lines, some homeowners do opt to install drywall. When existing ventilation ducts hang . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

The bee's knees

Exceptional new Petunias sure to bring joy

Petunias are durable and resilient. Would you leave a begonia to shiver outside in its container in May’s often chilly, single-digit temperatures? The tender begonia might go into a state of shock and never be the same. Petunias, though, tolerate . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Lounging around on the front porch

Mustard dreams big for his latest home renovation project

There comes a time in the life of every house when maintenance and upgrades are something you can no longer put off until next summer. Take the front porch or verandah of my humble abode for example, which is presently screaming . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Spring Parade of Homes is rolling

The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association’s 2021 Spring Parade of Homes has arrived! The Spring Parade officially opens at noon today and runs through until Sunday, March 21, showcasing 99 new show homes built by Manitoba’s best home builders. Once again, the . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

New kid on the old block

River Heights infill home blends in perfectly with style and grace

About two years ago Paradigm Custom Homes approached realtor Chris Pennycook with a proposal. The builder — along with a group of investors — was looking for a lot in a mature neighbourhood to build a new home on and wanted . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Unified design in Sage Creek

Spring Parade of Homes entry a perfect blend of style and comfort

Luxury doesn’t have to be complicated.In fact, a home tends to be more luxurious when restraint is applied to its overall design. If done right everything comes together to create a refined, functional feel throughout the entire home. That’s exactly the . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Happily housebound

Creating flexible spaces for multi-functional homes

NOT SO LONG AGO, pedestrianfriendly live-work-play communities were an urban ideal. Today, we need a condensed version of that mixeduse model. Live-work-play homes have become a necessity for many families — preferably in walkable communities with plenty of greenspace and convenient . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Garden party

Backyard retreats are a growing trend

A BEAUTIFUL, meticulously landscaped yard is grand. But in pandemic times, beauty alone doesn’t cut it. With another summer of staycations on the horizon, homeowners are continuing to find creative ways to transform their outdoor living space into a retreat — . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27

Custom community

Uptown style in a small-town locale

SMALL-TOWN CHARM amid luscious Manitoba greenspaces with easy access to city amenities and 15 minutes to downtown Winnipeg. "You’re close to everything, but you’re outside of everything, " is how Melanie Snow puts it. She is talking about not only East . . .

Posted: 2021-02-27