Building code not always set in stone

Question: I was visiting a friend’s new condo recently and noticed the drywall in the garage was not taped or painted. Does this conform to the Manitoba Building Code? It seems that any fire in the garage has direct access to . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Let's be thankful for our furry family members

The love and joy my 'furmily' has brought me over the years is immeasurable

One Googled description of the purpose of Thanksgiving here in Canada goes as follows: "It is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year." So, I thought maybe for today’s column . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Try cheap kitty litter for fresh oil stains

Question: A delivery truck left an oil stain on my concrete driveway. Is it possible to remove it without using a toxic product? — Sharon Answer: The fresher the oil stain, the easier it is to remove. For new oil stains, cover the . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

How and when to prune your trees

About this time of year, I receive calls from property owners about whether or not they should be pruning their trees in the fall. For sure, if you have not had your deciduous (leaf-dropping trees and shrubs) pruned for some . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Achieving perennial beauty

Nursery owner drawn to native plants she's encountered while hiking, camping in Manitoba

The New Perennial Movement is a naturalistic planting style that places emphasis on sweeping drifts of colour and texture. It draws on a densely planted palette of herbaceous perennials and grasses that are mostly native varieties. Adherents call themselves New . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Sold / Offered

SOLD: St. Boniface ADDRESS: 103-163 Bertrand Ave. ASKING PRICE: $199, 900 SOLD PRICE: $195, 500 TAXES: $2, 344.85 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 880 BEDROOMS: 2 BATHROOMS: 1 LOT SIZE: Condominium LISTING AGENT: Shawn Sommers, Century21Carrie.com, 204-818-0707 SELLING AGENT: Sonja Pedersen, RE/MAX Executives Realty, 204-987-9800     SOLD: Maples ADDRESS: 78 Councillor Bay ASKING . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Former baller bounces, sells home for US$5.95M

LOS ANGELES — Derek Fisher, a former Los Angeles Lakers point guard and five-time NBA champion, has sold his home in gated Hidden Hills, Calif., for US$5.95 million. The traditional-style estate, built in 2007 and customized during Fisher’s ownership, features such . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Light & airy

Sage Creek bungalow filled with clean lines, pleasing earth tones

New home builders have long been obsessed with conceiving unique designs. That’s understandable. After all, when it comes to homes, you can’t reinvent the wheel. There’s always the potential for one home to look eerily similar to another, however unintended. Hearth Homes’ . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

Protect yourself when hiring a contractor

The leaves have changed and colder weather is setting in. It’s that time of year when we say goodbye to summer and focus on planning our home maintenance and renovation projects for the fall and early winter. For those of you . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07

1960s bungalow gets reimagined

Extensively remodeled home boasts quality finishes and workmanship

Sometimes, what we see on the surface isn’t a reflection of reality. Take an extensively remodelled home, for example. In many cases, an attractive exterior leaves you begging to take a look inside. Expecting the same panache, disappointment results when it . . .

Posted: 2017-10-07