Understanding and controlling apple scab disease

This has been a terrible season for ornamental crab apple diseases. I wrote about fire blight a few weeks ago, but I could have easily written about apple scab fungus disease. Although apple scab does make the fruit unsightly, owners . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Nailing the art of building with pallets

Be safe — and ready for back-breaking work — tackling old-wood creations

Hefting a crowbar and a hammer, I felt like the John Henry of folklore as I checked out a jumble of pallets turned into shelves that were clustered in the local Canadian Tire parking lot. How I went from respected . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Giving up a third bedroom for a closet need not be risky

QUESTION: My boyfriend and I recently purchased a house. Not only is it our first house together, it's the first house either of us has ever owned. Against the advice of family and friends we bought a bit of a . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Counter arguments

Marble is a classic choice that can't be beat — or can it?

Question: I have my heart set on white-and-grey marble counters, but everyone tells me marble is a bad idea. I know you use marble all the time, but I've heard it stains and chips. Why then are the majority of . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Inner peace at the beach

Ron Suzuki combines his love of yoga with his passion for building and renovating homes that will last for at least 40 years before they require upgrading. "Nowadays we think that 10 years is a long time for a house to . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Fresh paint takes away the winter blahs

All it takes is one gust of crisp air to get Canadians into an autumn state of mind, especially when it comes to updating the home for the cooler weather. It doesn't take much to transform your home for the . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Return air improves heating system's circulation

Question: My son lives in a 100-year-old house. The main floor is 769 square feet and the second floor is 348 square feet. The second floor is not used or heated. At some time a 10-foot square basement was dug . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Store fresh apples properly; they'll last longer

QUESTION: I just filled my second fridge crisper with fresh-picked apples. I always sprinkle baking soda and put a layer of paper towels under the apples. Do I set the crisper tray on high or low humidity? I also filled . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Simply stunning

Home eschews fanciful for functional

When it comes to show homes -- especially at times when the Parade of Homes is on -- it's easy for builders to get carried away with their designs. While it's good to showcase innovative new materials, products -- or even . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20

Easy transition

Bungalow-style condo makes leaving your house less painful

Ask any empty-nest couple who's downsized from a large home to a smaller one, and they'll tell you it's not an easy task. That's because size -- although it is a huge consideration -- is not the only factor that needs . . .

Posted: 2014-09-20