Kitchen countertops don't have to be perfect

Stains and nicks are bound to happen

As a designer and avid cook, I’m often asked what material I recommend for kitchen countertops. My answer: honed marble (statuary or Carrara are my favourites) or soapstone because I like their mellow look juxtaposed with my kitchen’s polished-nickel fixtures . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

Obvious solution not always the best one

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When something is in need of repair, there is usually an obvious solution — a clogged drain can be unclogged, chipped paint can be filled in, a broken tile can be replaced. It is sometimes the less obvious fix that may, . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

Portable turntable, headphones and earbuds will have you rocking pretty

Portable record player, headphones and earbuds will have you rocking pretty

When you see the unopened Crosley Nomad portable turntable, you could easily think like I did that it’s a throwback briefcase, like my dad used to carry to work. But once it’s opened, you’ll see there’s a good reason to take . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

Leave all furnace repairs to the professionals

Question: We have a seven-year-old Rheem modulating furnace. Twice now we have had failure of the manifold gas valve because water from the air intake line dripped on the valve and corroded the contacts. The air intake line is right . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

Monitor furnace filter to avoid a frozen home

Lack of attention to winter maintenance can cause chilling issues

A few days ago, when it was minus eight million degrees outside, twice as cold as that overnight, and exponentially colder when you factor in the wind chill (can you tell I’m not fond of winter?)...I awoke to a very . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

Tips on how to tackle the renovation show

Event-goers can expect to see more than 200 home-improvement companies under one roof

When it comes to the Winnipeg Renovation Show, it’s all about the tips — tips on budgeting, tips on design, tips on new products and technology, tips on who to hire. What a show-goer also needs is a few tips on . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

'Move in and enjoy'

Island Lakes home a reasonably-priced winter gem

Although it may not seem like it, winter can actually be a good time to shop for a home. Due to the cold weather, ample housing supply and the fact many people have tapped themselves out financially over the holidays, opportunity . . .

Posted: 2018-01-06

A big-impact bungalow in Bridgwater Trails

Bridgwater Trails bungalow punches far above its weight

Sometimes, less is more. That’s the approach Jason Arlt and his design team at Arlt Homes took when they conceived the design of their newest show home, an 1, 894 square foot walk-out bungalow found at 16 Willow Brook Rd. in . . .

Posted: 2018-01-05

Sherman Oaks mansion goes for US$8.7-M

LOS ANGELES — From his top hat to his leather pants, Slash commands attention both on and off the stage. But when it came to the sale of his Sherman Oaks mansion, the rock star kept things surprisingly low-key. The guitarist . . .

Posted: 2017-12-30

Amazon's Echo chamber grew by 'tens of millions' this holiday season

Amazon enjoyed its "biggest" Christmas yet, powered by a holiday sales surge of its Amazon Echo products, the company said Tuesday. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant sold "tens of millions" of Echo devices worldwide, and its Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick . . .

Posted: 2017-12-30