Make Yourself at Home

MHBA is throwing a Parade, and you're invited

Company's coming. Manitoba's home builders are putting out the welcome mat for a horde of visitors during the Fall Parade of Homes from Sept. 10 to Oct. 2.And like most house-proud hosts, they've been busy polishing floors and appliances, straightening pictures . . .

Posted: 2016-09-14

Happy Hunting

Set your sights on the ideal home for you

When you imagine your dream home, you're probably not considering placement of electrical outlets and plumbing stacks.You may not even be thinking of how many bedrooms it will have beyond a magnificent master haven. Is it wheelchair accessible? Is your . . .

Posted: 2016-09-14

Make Yourself at Home

MHBA is throwing a Parade, and you're invited

Company's coming. Manitoba's home builders are putting out the welcome mat for a horde of visitors during the Fall Parade of Homes from Sept. 10 to Oct. 2. And like most house-proud hosts, they've been busy polishing floors and appliances, straightening pictures . . .

Posted: 2016-09-14

Keeping coniferous evergreens healthy

Every week I get one or two people asking me why their coniferous evergreens look so poorly or why are they dying?The quick answer is that conifer trees and shrubs generally do not grow well on the alkaline soils that . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10

Heavy Metal

Headingley home keeps it real with an industrial-chic landscape style

Exposed ceiling beams. Brick walls. Concrete. Wood and metal. All of these components are part of the signature look of industrial-style interior design. The authentic appeal of industrial details, for example, is part of the attraction for urbanites living in . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10

Rejuvenating vintage pieces all in a day's work

PITTSBURGH — If it’s abandoned, discarded or on the auction block, artist Beth Salak wants it. She rescues furniture and breathes new life into it."Sanding is the most important part, " says Salak, the owner of Vintage 73, a new . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10

Simple tips to liven up your lavatory

Guest bathrooms are often an integral part of the home, typically the one and only bathroom seen and used by guests. In styling or laying out a guest bathroom, there are some basic dos and don’ts to help ensure a . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10

Embracing the power of lemon milk

Question: I am baking a cheesecake for Christmas this year, the recipe calls for mascarpone cheese. Can you tell me what that is please? AliceAnswer: Mascarpone is an Italian cheese, made from fresh cream and citric or tartaric acid. If . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10

Tips on how to give your family and friends a memorable and comfortable experience when they come for a visit

Hosting houseguests can be a challenge under the best of circumstances. Having a well-designed, private space for them is a huge help, but many homeowners don’t have a dedicated room just for that."Realistically, most people don’t have guests every week, . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10

Much ado about home inspector licensing

Question: Have there been any recent changes to the status of home inspectors in Manitoba? Is licensing of home inspectors on the near horizon for our province?Answer: Over the years, I have periodically updated readers on the ongoing saga of the self-regulated . . .

Posted: 2016-09-10