Orchestrating the flow

Channelling sump-pump water into evergreen irrigation

A while ago, and before the basement renovation was set to start on my property, a sump pump was installed to minimize the potential for water seepage into the basement through minute cracks along the concrete floor. For the most . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

'Tattooed Gardener' pushes boundaries

Joy of hybridizing, experimentation drives Gellatly

It is an education to talk to Paul Gellatly about horticulture. The curious mind of this avid plant collector, whose pursuit is to discover and understand the complexity and intricacy of every plant he meets and how it fits into . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

Outstanding by design

Style, function, light abound in Randall Homes' Kentwood bungalow

Outstanding new home designs don’t happen by accident. Truth be told, design teams spend countless hours poring over home designs out of pure necessity. Why’s that? Simple. Homebuilders can ill afford to design a mediocre home in such a competitive marketplace. These . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

Sanctuary in St. Norbert

Rustic retreat just minutes from all your city needs

For three decades, a well-forested pocket of land that runs discreetly off Cloutier Drive in St. Norbert has, for some reason, largely escaped the notice of home buyers. Yet, those who either built or bought a home in the area love . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

Live like you mean it

While their tagline, "Time to jump right in, " is a double entendre on an easy lifestyle set alongside a beautiful beach, currently expanding for the fifth time, Cherry Hill Living has plenty to offer on top of a place . . .

Posted: 2020-07-18

How to achieve optimum furniture placement

What makes one room successful and another a failure? It often comes down to proper furniture placement. It is a skill to be able to lay out a room effectively. Often a room feels overstuffed with furniture or is laid . . .

Posted: 2020-07-11

Perennial beauties to grow in your garden

Protecting your investment starts now

These days, many of us are plant hunters. With pent-up demand for plants reaching an all-time high, we are emptying shelves bare at garden centres and bringing home perennial treasures that may not even have been on our wish list. Deanne . . .

Posted: 2020-07-11

Storing patio furniture cushions a matter of choice

Question: Is it smart to leave my front porch cushions out all summer long, or do most people take them out only when guests are coming over? The extra work of keeping the upholstery clean is such a headache. Lorraine Answer: There . . .

Posted: 2020-07-11

Tiers of joy for this refreshed space

New deck and pergola bring backyard to the forefront

In the spring clients contacted me to discuss a new back deck design. Their current deck was somewhat functional, but awkwardly high at nearly five feet above the ground. It took eight steps before reaching ground level to enter the . . .

Posted: 2020-07-11

There is no quick fix for squeaky floors

Question: My son just bought a bungalow in Ottawa and the floors are squeaky. One half of the basement ceiling is exposed and the other half, which is approximately 500 square feet, is finished. There is a company that says . . .

Posted: 2020-07-11