Comfort is key to setting up first new home

A good night's sleep is essential for students

Dear Debbie:I'm out of town to university and will be away for four years. My "room" budget is small, but I would like to be smart about purchases so they will go the distance. What are the priorities? Thanks -- . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Roof ice damming related to air sealing and insulation

Question: I have an ongoing problem with ice damming. I did change the shingles on the roof twice. The last time was seven years ago. Now, I am thinking of changing the furnace to a high-efficient unit, plus I would . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Drain snake is best bet to unplug toilet

QUESTION: I plugged the toilet and tried to plunge it, but it won't drain. Help! Brad, WinnipegANSWER: Wow, I admire your honesty. Most people would have blamed this on someone else. Since the plunger failed, your next step is to . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Dividing-wall debacle

Bungalow renovation takes a turn for the worse, but owners happy with end result

Live in a gloomy, cramped bungalow built in the late 1940s?Why not remove a few divider walls to open those tiny rooms to let in the light and accommodate a growing number of family members, including grandchildren?That is what Rick . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Pretty on the inside

Interior ambience a compelling asset of custom-built home

In terms of livability, not every home is created equal.That's why you can walk into one home and feel something is missing, while another feels perfect the moment you set foot inside. After taking a moment to think about it, . . .

Posted: 2014-10-18

Seeing green

Pumpkin crop suffers after soggy growing season

2After reaping a record bumper crop last year, Buckmaster says 2014's short, unpredictable and very wet growing season resulted in reduced yields for many of the vegetable crops we are used to enjoying at this time of the year.Pumpkins are . . .

Posted: 2014-10-11

Wainscoting turns a dull room into a sumptuous space

If your décor feels flat and boring, it may be time to add some architectural elements. Our feature photo, courtesy of Moen, shows how adding a wainscoting treatment to the walls can turn a dull room into a sumptuous space.Wainscoting . . .

Posted: 2014-10-11

Reno realities

Proper safety and due diligence helps keep your home safe and sound

A lot of people are spending money renovating their homes, building an addition, adding a second floor or underpinning the basement. While there are a lot of good contractors out there who care about what they do, maybe some don't . . .

Posted: 2014-10-11

Mixing modern and vintage won't look dated if you follow these tips

A classic look, when done well, is timeless and feels as relevant in your home today as it would have 50 years ago. So how do you make the look work?Canadian House & Home president Lynda Reeves and Gardiner Museum . . .

Posted: 2014-10-11

Creative closets

Increasingly popular renovation brings order and elegance to homeowners' lives

To some, it's just a place to keep clothes. But to Heather Addley, her closet is a dream come true."I love it, " says the Edmonton-area homeowner of her newly renovated closet space. "I get up in the morning and . . .

Posted: 2014-10-11