How to get out of your 'rump-rut'

Sometimes a little change can make a big difference

It’s that time of year. The SADS lights are burning brightly, so many people have cabin fever, there seems to be more than your average amount of depression flitting about and home — for a lot of people — isn’t . . .

Posted: 2017-02-10

Make room for mushrooms

Manitoba's newest foraging expert shares tips on growing edible and soil-nourishing fungi in your own backyard

Tom Nagy is on a mission. Passionate about the study of the relationship between people and plants, he finds the integration between himself and the natural world to be liberating. Nagy’s curious palate leads him to fearlessly forage and to . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

CMHC report card has several flaws

The first quarterly Housing Market Assessment by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) was released last week.For 48 weeks of the year, I’m the biggest fan of the CMHC. Their forecasts are spot-on and they do tremendous research. The . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Maintaining a log of our history

Old family homes and photos can offer a glimpse of the past

One of my many passions is rescuing and preserving pieces of history.You name it, if I see it and it’s derelict or in peril of being destroyed due to negligence or perhaps headed for the dump or the crusher — . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Hygge trend blowing up -- calmly, of course

Every Friday morning, Cynthia Sanford gets to work early. She’s not there to sell more mid-century Danish furniture — although that’s what shoppers can find at the Kensington, Md., branch of Modern Mobler, where Sanford is store manager. Instead, she . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

A shuffle of the deck

Looking to improve your yard? Perhaps you should consider...

Spring will be soon upon us and thoughts of yard upgrades have begun to creep into our collective consciousness. A brand-new deck can certainly enhance any yard, both in visual appeal and functionality.Decks are designed in all sorts of shapes . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Make the most of your tiny kitchen

When you live in a smaller place you need to get creative

As much as we would all want a chef’s kitchen complete with multiple islands, sprawling counter space and endless kitchen supplies, our reality can be quite different. Those living in larger cities, small apartments or starter homes know all too . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Light and bright dining

New decor trend sees desire for more inviting eating areas

Like fashion, decorating trends come in waves. One day, everyone wants a sputnik light fixture in their foyer, and the next they want a Moroccan Beni Ourain-style rug on their living room floor.If my clients’ wishes are any indication of . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Washing a duvet at home a tough trick

While it's recommended to use the instructions on the label, a bathtub scrub can do the job

QUESTION: Can you tell me if it is possible to wash a duvet (a good-quality one with goose down) and then dry it in the dryer? In the past I had it dry cleaned but I don’t care for the . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04

Be wary of neighbour's pool plans

Consulting with experts is thebest plan of action before signing off on big construction next door

Question: What are the risks to neighbouring properties of an in-ground pool installation? Our house and our neighbour’s house were both built about 30 years ago. They are both two-storey, four-bedroom houses of about 2, 500 square feet in size. . . .

Posted: 2017-02-04