Rising trends for kitchens and baths

The National Kitchen and Bath Association released their 2017 trends survey recently and I thought I’d share their insights. The following has been taken from the most recent issue of Home Builder magazine.   KitchensTransitional kitchens still are the most popular with contemporary styles . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Black streaks from dryer? Your drum might be beat

QUESTION: I have an old gas dryer. When I dry clothes, they come out with black streaks. I have taken a cloth and wiped the drum after each cycle but it doesn’t help. Can you offer any tips?— BevAnswer: It sounds . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Tricky task to heat room adjoining garage

Question: Our son has an attached garage, which is insulated except for the 16-foot-wide vehicle door. His bedroom has a common wall with the garage, and it’s quite cool in the bedroom at night in the winter. How much would . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Mow, mow, mow your lawn

It's almost that time of year again -- and I'm pumped

Could someone please invent self-mowing grass? How about grass that you can control the height of with a remote while sitting in your comfy chair and watching sports on TV? That would be nice. Yes, mowing season has arrived. No complaints, I . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

The IRIS of your eye

Knockout blooms a kaleidoscope of colour

Up close and from a distance, the bearded iris distinguishes itself in the perennial bed with its erect fans of sword-shaped leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season. When the bearded iris is flowering, the knockout blooms are a . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Get your kitchen looking fresh

There are many recent design trends that have vastly improved the functionality and efficiency of the modern kitchen. But while some of the trends succeed esthetically, they can create organizational challenges.   Large, open-plan kitchensLarge kitchens with open floor plans have become . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Echoing the Prairie

Charleswood home perfect for established family

Sometimes, a new home design has more than one purpose. That’s the case with The Berkeley, a 2, 310-sq.-ft. walk-out bungalow found on a huge, 50-foot by 188-foot lot in Ridgewood West, says Hearth Homes’ sales manager/designer Liam Milne. "The first thing . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

A private haven

Grande Pointe bungalow is open, yet traditional

The impending City of Winnipeg impact/growth fees have changed the mindset of buyers looking to build a luxury home. Now, with the fees set to take effect on May 1, many buyers are looking to either build or find a suitable . . .

Posted: 2017-04-15

Horticultural mythbuster

Don't buy into the hype of 'silver bullet' solutions for your garden

Suppose for a moment that your next-door neighbour grows exhibition-quality roses in her backyard and reveals to you one day that the secret to her success is the use of Epsom salts to boost magnesium levels in the soil. She . . .

Posted: 2017-04-08

Every idea, product and expert under one big roof

You spent three weeks in March looking at the best new homes in Canada during the Spring Parade of Homes. This is the year to build your new dream home but, of course, you need to decorate, buy appliances, landscape, add . . .

Posted: 2017-04-08