Award-worthy renovations happening at home

Next week, the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association is hosting its annual RenoMark Renovation Awards. These annual awards showcase the best of the best renovation projects undertaken in Manitoba over the past year. Entries are featured in seven different award categories — . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Seeing the urban forest for the trees

Reforestation in city has to be a top priority for government and homeowners?

People in the arborist profession see trees differently. Ever wonder, for example, why they call it an urban forest? The phrase was coined in the 1960s by Eric Jorgensen, a professor of forest pathology at the University of Toronto. At . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Make your life easier by cutting a few key kitchen corners

There are certain small skills that make life better and easier. I’m well aware many take place outside the kitchen, and I probably don’t know as many of those as I should. I’m of no use if you have a . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Difficult divesting chore has advantages

In my 30s, just as I began acquiring (kids, house, furniture for said house, etc.), I noticed that my parents suddenly stopped acquiring and began divesting. It seemed like an abrupt shift, as if a switch had been thrown. Almost . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Give those major appliances a clean sweep

Important to maintain hard-working machines

Your major appliances work hard for you. So why not pay some attention to your washer, dryer, dishwasher, fridge and stove? "Lots of people think that the function of the washing machine or the dishwasher is to clean, so it must . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Hard to deny the grandeur of a proper pergola

It was a primarily esthetic project, sure, but the finished product was well worth the effort

What’s the main difference between a four-post pergola and an eight-post pergola? Well, beyond the obvious, the answer has everything to do with the length of the main tandem supports. The plan was to build a large pergola, to cover the entire . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Kitchen thermometer is your key to fully cooked chicken

Question: Guests are coming for supper soon, I have decided to cook chicken. Previously, I served undercooked chicken to my cousin; that was embarrassing. What is the fastest way to tell if it’s done, without looking like I don’t know . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

BRING HIM A SHRUBBERY

Cotoneaster, caragana make an ideal combination for backyard enclosure

I’m not known for my patience. When I want a plant, I want it now — in this case, a quick-growing privacy hedge for around a chain-link fence enclosure in my backyard. So a friend suggested that a cotoneaster hedge would . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Advice to install humidifier unwarranted

No, you don't need to add moisture to the air in your home

Question: I installed a high-efficiency furnace in my 1968 home, which has no HRV. It works great, but sometimes the air in the house gets kind of dry. My thermostat tells me the humidity in the house is low. Everyone . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27

Luxurious urban living meets great outdoors

Riverside location sets mood for Redview Terrace development

One of the main drawbacks of many new condominium developments is the location. While the building construction might be solid and quiet, the same can’t always be said for its surroundings. Outside noise from irritants such as road noise won’t be an . . .

Posted: 2019-04-27