Let there be light

Modern-themed home filled with windows, artistic touches

It isn't often you walk into a foyer of a new home that sports a three-piece glass wall that greets you in grand style.Yet, that's the scene that unfolds the moment you enter 29 East Plains Drive, a two-storey Artista . . .

Posted: 2014-11-01

Distinctive dwelling

Royalwood property resembles brand-new homes seen in newer neighbourhoods

If it weren't for the fact you knew you were in Royalwood, you'd almost swear you were in Bridgwater Forest.With its cultured stone facade, front porch and non-protruding attached garage, 75 Bridgeway Cres. greatly resembles many homes that line the . . .

Posted: 2014-11-01

How does your garden grow?

Assess the winners, losers and be prepared to experiment

Gardening, on any scale, is a financial investment. Most of us start out with a sensible list of plants to guide us in our purchases. When we walk into a garden centre in the springtime, though, best intentions are . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Light up your life

Set the mood with these sultry scented candles

I'm addicted to candles. No matter where I am -- at home, at work, entertaining -- I always have a candle burning. The flickering light sets the mood for a dinner party or a night in with friends, and if . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Tips for cleaning cupboards without removing finishing

QUESTION: The house we live in is 17 years old. The cupboards are lacquered and I have noticed that below the handles on my kitchen cupboards the doors feel slippery. I can see no grime, but I assume that there . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Taking the lead

Self-employed couple handles majority of home renovation themselves

Martin and Melissa Botincan decided they would rather pay themselves than depend on others for a weekly wage or become involved in an unmanageable mortgage.Their philosophy extends to the reno of a late 1940s home in Tyndall they purchased several . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Bounty hunters

Two guys in a truck track down treasures for new Cottage Life show

Everything old is new again, at least in the antiquing business. A stranger's long-forgotten Tiffany lamp can find new life in your entryway, and a vintage Smith Corona typewriter can become the showpiece of your office.In the new television show . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Doors of perception

If you've been reading my column regularly you'll know that my husband and I recently downsized to a condo. It needed a fair amount of updates which we've been working on for the past few months.The condo was kind of . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Sold Oct 25

Sold-Offered for Oct. 25, 2014:SOLD:River HeightsADDRESS: 495 Brock St.ASKING PRICE: $287, 495SOLD PRICE: $287, 495TAXES: $3, 448.42SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1, 243BEDROOMS: 3BATHROOMS: 1.5LOT SIZE: 40 x 104LISTING AGENT: Matt Blumberg, Monopoly Realty, 204-232-6288SOLD:NorwoodADDRESS: 75 Hillcrest Ave.ASKING PRICE: $219, 900SOLD PRICE: $214, . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25

Livable layout

New home has plenty of pizzazz, but functional design is where it shines

Admit it or not, when it comes to new homes, people tend to gravitate to pizzazz rather than practicality.Yet, at the end of the day, it's practicality (in particular, a home's layout) that makes a home livable. The design team . . .

Posted: 2014-10-25