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

Total package

South St. Vital condo development delivers function, value and style

Designing a condominium community is no simple task. Which is to say, when you’re designing such a community, you need to think in a broad yet detailed way.Irwin Homes, the designers of the Woods at Creek Bend, have produced a . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Pristine living

Immaculate Grande Pointe bungalow a perfect family home

In an era dominated by communities such as Bridgwater Lakes, South Pointe and Sage Creek, Grande Pointe is an area that tends to fly under the radar.According to Lifestyles Real Estate’s Charlene Urbanski, Grande Pointe is closer to the city . . .

Posted: 2016-08-06

Come on baby, light my fire

Trendy new options ignite the backyard fire pit

The four elements, earth, water, air and fire, stimulate our senses. In an indoor setting, the flicker of a flame from candlelight or a fireplace evokes an atmosphere of intimacy, setting the mood for relaxation. In the outdoor setting, a . . .

Posted: 2016-07-30

New IKEA catalogue promises a more relaxed life

IKEA is touting a "more relaxed life" in its 2017 catalogue, a 326-page dream book that will be available Aug. 8 by mail and in stores and online Aug. 15.Every year the massive retailer of affordable furniture taps into whatever’s . . .

Posted: 2016-07-30

That's a wrap

Farewell to longtime decor expert Connie Oliver

After almost 17 years writing this weekly column, I must bid you farewell. I have loved every minute of sharing ideas with you each week and will miss it tremendously — but I’m on to new adventures.We’ve covered a lot . . .

Posted: 2016-07-30

Revive limp asparagus with ice water

Question: I regularly purchase asparagus, however, I often leave it too long before cooking. Do you have any advice for reviving limp asparagus so I don’t end up wasting any more money? DebartAnswer: Reviving asparagus is exactly the same as . . .

Posted: 2016-07-30

Eliminate moisture to curb peeling paint

Question: Would putting cedar on the ceiling in a bathroom stop paint from peeling around the inside of an old window on the outside wall?Thank you for your advice, Doug Flanigan.Answer: There may be several reasons for paint to peel . . .

Posted: 2016-07-30

Watering the lawn and grocery shopping just got easier

Smart sprinklerI’ve tried many Smart Home sprinkler systems; none have the performance or features of the Rachio Smart Sprinkler system.With a simple setup, including connecting the Rachio to your existing Wi-Fi network, you’ll have your lawn watered for however long . . .

Posted: 2016-07-30