Tackling the toughest tub stains

Question: I would love to know what to use to remove a bathtub ring. Thanks -— John Answer: Clean the bathtub on a regular basis. You probably will need to wash out the bathtub weekly or more often, depending on how many . . .

Posted: 2019-03-16

Less is more in three-bedroom home

Efficiently designed house perfect for growing family or empty nesters

Attention to detail is one of those intangible qualities that distinguishes one new home design from another. Details such as a home’s layout and finishing materials right on down to seemingly less important details such as window placement can adorn a . . .

Posted: 2019-03-16

Move-in-ready townhome a rare find

Affordable Westwood unit features ample space and impressive upgrades

Never before — at least not in recent memory — have young couples and growing families found it so difficult to find a suitable starter home. With homebuying budgets slashed by the federal government’s onerous stress test, buyers have been forced . . .

Posted: 2019-03-16

Vinegar renews crunchy towels

Question: I have several face cloths that have become hard, which I believe is because of soap, which has built up over time. Do you know of anything that will make them soft again? Thanks, — Lindsay Answer: Towels do often lose their . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

Replace tattered items to give home a boost

As winter grinds to a close, our focus will soon move from indoors to outdoors. So now is a good time to take a critical eye to some of the often overlooked details inside your home. Decluttering is great, but . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

Spice up garden with ornamental grasses

Blend nature and culture by mixing native and introduced plants

It would be impossible to imagine a landscape inspired by renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf that did not include grasses. In his 2013 book written with co-author Noel Kingsbury, Planting: A New Perspective, (Timber Press, 2013), Oudolf writes that a . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

Diagnosing rattling plumbing sound could get invasive

Question: I live in a two-storey townhouse condo, which is about five years old. When you flush the toilet, on either level, the pipes seem to make a rattling sound. What would you suggest? — Barb Heppner   Answer: Noisy plumbing is a common . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

Trimming time on baseboards

Trim takes time to install, because it is often a multi-tiered activity. It must first be primed and painted, then cut or mitered to length, fastened to the surface, and lastly receive the necessary touch-ups to hide small nail holes . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

Warm up to spring's freshest looks

From metal to rattan, designers share the season's most modern styles

As the weather improves and our winter hibernation ends, the urge to refresh and renew a room or two often follows. It may be as simple as adding a few new decorative items or changing a worn-out piece of furniture. Or . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09

This is one impulse buy that'll prove very useful

I am always looking for fun, interesting things to entertain the grandkids with. Boy, did I strike gold last week, browsing through the for-sale ads, with a find that is fun, interesting and worthwhile for all! For those of you not familiar . . .

Posted: 2019-03-09