Skip the stipple

Ceiling upgrade a project worth the effort

The stipple ceiling has always mystified me. The second floor of my childhood home had stippled ceiling. I recall as a kid looking up at its bumpy surface and gold glitter flex, and wondering ‘why?’ I suppose it was a . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Take your boiler from beast to radiant beauty

Technology has shrunk the size of those old metal monstrosities -- and your gas bill

I remember visiting my grandfather in his basement workshop. To get there, I had to pass through the boiler room, which housed the great iron beast that heated the little bungalow. It was terrifying. And inefficient. But contemporary technology is a beastmaster. . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Take your basement apartment to the next level

It’s no easy feat to find an affordable apartment in many cities. Renters will scour the city streets for a decent deal, searching uptown, downtown and increasingly, underground. But basement dwellings often have low ceilings, cramped rooms and little natural light, . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Giving thanks to those who give

People who care for others deserve our appreciation and respect

So today, I’m going to shift from the "bricks and mortar" of what homes are all about to "home is where the heart is, " the subject triggered by a conversation I had with a friend lately, initially discussing my . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Early fall for your poplars? Look for signs of aphids

Have you noticed your cottonwood, aspen and other poplar leaves turning yellow earlier than what you think is normal? During the mid to late summer of this year, large cottonwoods, aspens and other poplars have been attacked by poplar petiole gall . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

It's fine to do foundation repairs in stages

Question: A while back, you replied to someone’s inquiry about rainwater leaking into the basement and said it could be due to plugged drain tiles. I have the same problem on the north side of my house. I’ve buried two-foot-wide . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Clean duct systems to avoid mould, fires

Question: What is air duct cleaning and how often should it be done in my home? — Myron Answer: Dust, dirt, mould, pet hair and other contaminates collect in duct systems. Duct cleaning is the cleaning of heating and cooling parts of forced . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Discover your new dream home

The Manitoba Home Builders’ Association’s 2017 Fall Parade of Homes officially opens at noon today and runs until Sunday, Oct. 1. Showcasing more than 130 new show homes built by Manitoba’s best home builders, once again, the MHBA is proud . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

The Charlotte offers a new design that works

A & S Homes beauty part of Fall Parade of Homes

There’s an immediate sense of ease, comfort and quality when you step inside the Charlotte, a 1, 576-square-foot, two-storey design by A & S Homes. The A & S design team opted to go a different route and that paid off . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Stylish substance

Two-storey gem has striking layout

When a new home wins a Parade of Homes award, it’s no accident. To pocket the hardware, a builder must come up with a plan that’s equal parts style and substance and also forward-thinking in its overall design. Built in 2004 . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09