Greenery and ribbons enhance holiday decorating

Whether you want to fill your home top to bottom with holiday cheer or add a few festive touches here and there, my advice is the same: start with a fabulous base. Amazing greenery and show-stealing ribbon are the essential . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

The host (or houseguest) with the most

A few tips to make entertaining, or visiting, less stressful

The holiday season often means houseguests. What does it mean to be a good host — or a good houseguest? "Remember the spirit of the holidays. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting everything to be perfect. The point is . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Skip the frostbite, hire the pros

Local company will decorate homes, businesses and beyond in any temperature

The time for one of winter’s most dangerous activities has arrived! Yes, (shudder), it’s Christmas light season. Feel free to take a moment to get those anxiety spikes under control. For some, just the mention of Christmas lights can send them spiralling . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Ozone best way to rid home of lingering odours

Question: I live in a second-floor condo unit. The woman who lived below me for around 10 years was a heavy smoker. I had a cigarette smell in my unit constantly, and although she moved away nearly 20 years ago, . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Five trends to say goodbye to before New Year's

The year 2018 has been a great one for home design, giving us a renewed focus on wellness and timeless choices. But not every style choice was made to last. Christina Birtcher, a top-rated interior designer with Three Roses Interiors . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Colours, patterns make kitchen space pop

Creative use of accent pieces and wallpaper ties room together

When Leslie walked through the long-neglected house that was to become her family’s home, it was the kitchen that tugged at her heart the most. The house, originally scheduled for the wrecking ball, had stood empty for years and was . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Leap of faith pays off

Group worked with famed plantsman to design Detroit garden

Piet Oudolf, the renowned Dutch plantsman and author, is considered by many to be today’s most compelling garden designer. His name resonates with creativity and innovation, as well as a signature style that gardeners everywhere want to emulate on some . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Renos not always as simple as they seem

Potential project obstacles can be hard to predict

There are repeat clients who have kept me extremely busy throughout the years. So much so, I sometimes forget about certain projects, and how many have ultimately been completed. One of these projects came to mind the other day, while I . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Address any potential radon problem right away

Worry more about the levels of the gas in your home, not any distribution of it to other rooms

Question: My unfinished basement previously had four heat supply vents and no air returns. I then finished my basement and added two air returns, one in the basement bedroom and one in the main room, as per building code. Does adding . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17

Couponers giving back to charities

Huge savings allow thrifty shoppers to help those in need

Recently, I bought 57 tubes of toothpaste, 35 bottles of shampoo and 108 rolls of toilet paper. A single woman hardly needs so much toothpaste, shampoo or toilet paper, but my favourite local charity does. Total cost: Less than US$30. . . .

Posted: 2018-11-17