Flowering friendships

Close relationships stem from shared interest in peonies

Growing peonies is a passion. Just ask Pat Watts Stevens, Cheryl Geske, Sandra Venton and Naomi Wiebe. You could no more compare their shared interest in growing peonies to a hobby than you would tell Toronto Raptors fans that the . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Finishing touches for a finished home

When designing a house, it is easy to get caught up in the big things — the large-purchase items that take up space and set the tone for the rest of the room. Then, once the walls are painted or . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Composite decking adds cost to project

Wood still used in construction of support structure

Treated lumber, or composite? This is a common question when meeting with a client to discuss a design regarding a deck build. There are pros and cons to either path. It really comes down to the preferred style, the cost . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

New building materials could trigger chemical sensitivities

Question: I have multiple chemical sensitivities. The builder putting up my house insists that our local building code requires a preserved wood foundation (PWF) on the concrete slab for the floor to lay on. What alternatives are there to chemically . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Imagination at work in artist's garage

Sculptor uses new space year-round

Space: the final frontier. Things certainly looked that way to local artist and sculptor Rita Nayar when she finally had to accept that her home simply did not have the space to accommodate her art needs. That "small space" she was using . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Nautical decor, but stylish

Seaside vibes add whimsy, playfulness to a home

Designers are playing with the idea of nautical decor in new ways, with furnishings and style notes that say "classic contemporary" instead of "kitschy cute." There might be life preservers on the wall, but they’re probably vintage, and paired with modern . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Nurturing nature

How to create a garden that welcomes all creatures

Before gardening for pollinators and wildlife habitats became fashionable, the National Wildlife Federation presciently encouraged homeowners to create gardens that provided sustenance and shelter to all manner of creatures. These gardens would stick out on a block as much for the . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Flexible floor plans Bloom in Valley Gardens

Living large in a smaller space

A mid-sized tract of land on Molson Street just north of Grassie Boulevard — once home to Schriemer’s Greenhouse — is now home to Bloom & Timber Condominiums. "We’re excited about the opportunity to build a new, 187-unit condominium development here, . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Summer a strategic time to tackle home improvements

With the end of the school year less than a month away and summer on the horizon, many Manitobans are finalizing their summer plans. Enjoying outdoor activities as much as possible, taking some well-earned vacation time or enjoying a weekend . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01

Indoor-outdoor escape beckons

Home offers best of both worlds

While many people believe Bridgwater Forest was the first fully naturalized community in Winnipeg, that isn’t quite the case. The fact is, Royalwood — which offered its first building lots in 1992 — was the first community to incorporate naturalized areas . . .

Posted: 2019-06-01