Taylor-Bologna Beverly Hills home lists for US$8.6M

Tudor Revival mansion features recreations of celebrity homes

LOS ANGELES —The longtime Beverly Hills home of actress-writer Renée Taylor and her late husband, actor-playwright Joseph Bologna, is for sale at US$8.6 million. Set on a third of an acre, the 1926 Tudor Revival was once occupied by Shirley Temple’s . . .

Posted: 2018-05-05

Gretzky scores purchase of his former California mansion

LOS ANGELES — Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky has reclaimed his former estate in Thousand Oaks, Calif., paying US$13.5 million for the sprawling compound. The 61/2-acre property has had quite the journey since Gretzky sold it to ex-New York Mets . . .

Posted: 2018-05-04

Faux might be the way to go

Electric fireplaces can be esthetically pleasing and provide warmth

The faux fireplace has sure come a long way. As a child, the working fireplace in the living room of our house had been converted to a decorative fireplace, which basically meant the chores of hauling logs, keeping the chimney . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

Planning changes to your home? Trust in RenoMark

Next week, the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association (MHBA) is hosting its annual RenoMark Renovation Awards. These annual awards showcase the best of the many renovation projects undertaken in Manitoba over the past year. Entries are featured in six different award categories: Additions, . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

Natural techniques keep soil healthy

Methods help mimic examples of recycling found in nature

A growing number of homeowners are exploring a range of techniques designed to grow healthy soil and increase its fertility by mimicking the examples of recycling that are found in nature. Lynne Vickery is a nurse by profession as well as . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

No end to mowing season

Start of warm weather brings about spring chores

I’m 69 and living in fear. Soon, I will be forced to leave the comfort and safety of my recliner, to bounce around mercilessly for two months... on the seat of my lawn tractor. Yes, the growing season will soon be upon . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

Keeping fake plants looking real

Question: I live in a high-rise condominium, and we have artificial plants in our front lobby that get dusty, and look awful! Can you suggest something that will remove the dust and yet not destroy the "plants"? Thank you so . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

The science behind creating compost

Beneficial bacteria and fungi help make plants healthier and more vigorous

Compost piles have been a staple of gardening since Adam was handed that accursed apple, but compost itself takes many forms. It might be a pile of windblown leaves, trapped in the ankles of a shrub to rot away over the . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

Stained stainless-steel sink has seen better days

Question: I was cleaning stainless-steel oven racks one day, using Easy-Off to loosen grime. I put the racks in my stainless-steel kitchen sink and left them there too long. Now my sink is all marked up from the chemicals in . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28

Window design could be behind water leakage

Question: My upper-unit condo in Fort Richmond occupies the second and third floors. Last fall, a strip of material became partially detached from the base of a second-floor window. A repairman was called out to investigate. He took pictures, removed . . .

Posted: 2018-04-28