'Hidden gem' a one-of-a-kind find

For reasons unknown, certain neighbourhoods tend to remain rather anonymous despite being a spectacular place to call home. One such neighbourhood is south St. Vital’s River Pointe. Tucked away in a well-treed tract of land off River Road, just south of Bishop . . .

Posted: 2018-07-07

Summer is officially here.

Gardeners delight in the season.

The past few weeks our seeds have sprouted; seedlings have matured, and we now witness the color and texture from the plants we have growing amongst the backdrop of our landscapes. Annuals and perennials work unaccompanied or in . . .

Posted: 2018-07-03

All about hydrangeas

With a flurry of new introductions, choosing a variety not as simple as it used to be

Gardeners are purchasing hydrangeas like never before, yet it’s a diverse species that can also raise some questions. John Leperre, outdoor sales manager at Shelmerdine Garden Center, says that his customers want to know how to prune their hydrangeas. Carla Hrycyna, . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

'Tis the season to be cautious of construction

Construction season is well underway in Manitoba. While we usually equate construction season with road construction, the summer months are also the busiest time for residential construction as well. Residential construction season doesn’t just involve new homes being built in new . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

Spruce up your space this long weekend

Renovations don't always have to entail big expense and huge undertakings

Blowing out a wall to expand the kitchen, sacrificing a closet to make room for a big jacuzzi tub in your bathroom — these ideas sound expensive, and they usually are! But they don’t have to be. With the long weekend upon . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

Porcelain tile rejuvenation not difficult

Question: A few years ago, I put in a dark, slate-coloured porcelain-tile floor in the bathroom. It was tricky time-wise, as to putting in the grout and letting it set enough to wipe off the excess grout without shifting the position . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

Dry soil can cause more than just esthetic issues

Watering soil during drought could prevent more serious problems

Question: On the north and west sides of my house I made decorative areas right against the house for planters to sit on, using river rock laid over landscape fabric. Due to our extremely dry spring and summer, the soil . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

One man's junk, another man's treasure

Breathing new life into old wood

You know how I like preserving the past. But not everything rescued has to serve its original purpose. Repurposing is just fine with me, whatever it takes to keep something worth saving from going to the dump. My buddy Reg Sawatzky of . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

Split floor plan has retreat-like feel

Oak Bluff West bungalow offers style, livability and a great location

As new home designs go, there aren’t many as versatile as a bungalow with a split floor plan. Case in point is 27 Carlington Cres., says Blair Holm, sales representative for Avanti Custom Homes’ latest Oak Bluff West show home. "The split . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30

River Heights bungalow's charm stands out

Updated home features great livability

With its tree-lined streets and a wonderful cross-section of home designs, it’s no accident River Heights is one of the city’s most sought after neighbourhoods. Few neighbourhoods match its walkability, mature beauty and central location. That said, there’s a potential downside associated . . .

Posted: 2018-06-30