Sensible luxury

Sage Creek two-storey offers impressive floor plan

To dare to be different, or not. That’s the question builders must ponder when they conceive a new home design. In the case of The Hamilton — a brand-new design by Sterling Homes found at 48 East Plains Dr. in . . .

Posted: 2016-08-13

Moving on up

Windsor Park bungalow nice upgrade from starter home

In an area where homes were built 40 or more years ago, it’s a home that stands out.Featuring a tan stucco exterior with brown cultured stone trim and new windows with white frames, 18 Pine Bluff Road looks like it . . .

Posted: 2016-08-13

The many faces of dahlia

A size and flower shape to suit every taste

With the ever-increasing demand for the unusual, we sometimes go to great lengths to obtain plant specimens that will dazzle visitors to our gardens. So unfamiliar, so unpronounceable or so fussy, these conversation pieces can captivate our imaginations.The dahlia, commonly . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Summer vacation guide to clean rugs

I hope I’m not too late with this advice, because the children in these parts have been off from school for summer vacation since June. Because the kids may be around the house a little longer than usual each day . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Must-have pool floats and accessories

There’s no such thing as a boring pool party, but you can really make a splash at your next dip with good buddies if you pick up some clever and colourful accessories for the occasion.1. THE EMPIRE TAKES A DIPIn . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Designers pine for natural wood

Using wood in design is nothing new. Keeping it natural — without a stain or a single stroke of paint — isn’t new, either. However, a growing number of designers and woodworkers are putting the natural aesthetics of bare wood . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Future homes may be loaded with technology

I was reading a copy of Builder magazine (published by the National Association of Home Builders in the United States) and came across an interesting article about future technology in new homes.The story featured an interview with John Ellis, currently . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Sand castle

A beach house for the entire family

BETHANY BEACH, Del. — Last Thanksgiving, three generations of Bobbs filled a party bus headed to Bethany Beach in Delaware for the day to see the progress on their new beach house. The crowd of 20 walked gingerly around the . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Talk with your contractor to resolve grout issues

Question: Thanks for your column and advice for homeowners. Attached, you will see an email I sent to the architect and building contractor of my new bathroom. Both are very good and highly skilled. The subject is the white grout . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Homemade play dough fun and easy to make

Question: I am opening a brand new preschool in my home. Do you have a really good recipe for play dough? CindyAnswer: Congratulations on the new preschool. Here’s my favorite play dough recipe: Bring to a boil: 2 cups water, . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06