Upgraded abode 'speaks for itself'

Rare bird in a beloved neighbourhood

It’s something you don’t necessarily expect to discover in one of the city’s most mature, sought-after neighbourhoods.Yet, there it is: a next-to-new home sitting smack dab in the middle of north River Heights, an area dotted with homes that date . . .

Posted: 2016-12-31

Overtaxing housing will land you on naughty list

Holiday cheers and sneers

Tonight, all across Canada Santa will be delivering presents to those who have been good all year or at least nice down the home stretch when it counted the most. Those who have been naughty may find a lump of . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Raise a glass to these backyard beverages

Imbibers have plenty of locally produced drink options

Can I interest you in a glass of artisanal rosé-style wine made with the sweet-tart flavours of Prairie-grown haskap berries, or would you prefer mulled or chilled white honey mead brewed by an estate winery in Killarney?Or perhaps you would . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Finally, time to do a job of my own

When a window of opportunity opens, I have to take advantage

My fellow contractors will agree — it’s next to impossible to set aside adequate time to start, let alone complete, renovations at our own homes, because most our time is spent completing renovations for hire elsewhere.This has been the running . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Hang seasonal wreaths to store

Question: I own several Christmas wreaths, which I pile into plastic totes in my basement when I put them away. Every year I waste hours fluffing up each wreath before hanging them. Do you have any idea of how I . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Flowers fit for a president

Tips for a beautiful Christmas home by a former White House floral designer

During the six holiday seasons florist Laura Dowling devoted to staging magical White House displays, it never looked a lot like Christmas in her own home. There just wasn’t time. Her Old Town Alexandria, Va., house would usually get only . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

A trip down holiday lane

It's always nice to reflect on the past around Christmastime

Christmas Eve is a thrilling time for young kids. I remember anticipating the mysterious overnight arrival of Santa, wondering if I’d get what I asked for: those Roy Rogers guns with the double holsters.I think I did actually get those . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Power-saving tips for the holidays

The holidays are expensive, and I’m not talking about buying gifts.We decorated our house over the weekend, and as I plugged in a tangle of extension cords, it made me wonder how much decking the halls was actually going to . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Modern, roomy and bright

Smart use of space makes Bridgwater Trails home a must-see

It’s something that becomes apparent about a new home very quickly: whether its floor plan works, or not.In the case of 11 Del Monica Rd. — a.k.a. The Bayview — feedback on the floor plan has been resoundingly positive if . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Modernized 1948 house a turnkey operation

Fraser's Grove abode a renovated dream home

Homes built in the 1940s and ’50s can be character-laden, but they can possess shortcomings, too.Those shortcomings can occur in two critical areas: function and finishes. In terms of function, floor plans can be choppy, kitchens can be spartan (to . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24