GARDENING: Beautiful begonias

New varieties bring character to the garden

Choosing the right combination of plants for an enticing outdoor display is not always easy. Sure, the folks at the garden centres are eager to assist but imagine selecting just one species of plant that does the job all summer . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

New home represents a fresh lifestyle start

When we say in this column that a new home is a good investment, it's often only taken in one way: money. We invest in stocks, bonds or precious metals to make money, so naturally, many people think that an investment . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

Not bath people? Focus on shower

Dear Debbie: We live in a bungalow condominium community and plan on staying for our retirement. Our master-suite bathroom has a large whirlpool bathtub we never use. We are shower people. We are planning to renovate and want to replace . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

MIKE HOLMES: Earth Hour helps us see the green light

Every year, people around the world shut off their lights for one hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., all in the name of Earth Hour and saving our planet. This year, Earth Hour was on March 29. I turned off . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

SOLUTIONS: Cracked wax could cause stinky bathroom

QUESTION: There is a very bad odour coming from my bathroom that I have not been able to locate. I notice it mainly during humid weather. It disappears in colder weather. It seems to be coming from the outside area . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Gap in kitchen backsplash can have several causes

QUESTION: Our kitchen counter backsplash has pulled away from the wall. It has pulled away on the two exterior walls and a smaller interior wall to about a quarter of an inch. What should we fill it with? Thank you, Diane . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

CONNIE OLIVER: Make your home office work for you

There is no reason why your home office has to be dull, cluttered and utilitarian. Adding some lovely wall colour, comfy and stylish furniture and a little whimsy can turn a dull workspace into an inviting one. Who wouldn't want . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

RENOVATIONS: Express yourself

Home show offers some unique ideas

I attended the Home Expressions show recently with the goal of finding exhibits featuring unique and timely items that will be the envy of neighbours. For example, with the Stanley Cup playoffs looming, who could resist a year-round skating rink in . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

An empty nest with flow

Beautifully designed Sage Creek house spacious, airy, well-defined

Hearth Homes sales manager Liam Milne comes straight to the point when speaking about the design concept of 39 Borealis Bay. "This home was designed expressly to meet the needs of empty-nesters, " he said of the 1, 615-square-foot bungalow with . . .

Posted: 2014-04-12

GARDENING: Mini pops

Small plants add colour, variety to your garden

The world of gardening just got smaller. Plants with Lilliputian proportions are taking North American gardeners by storm. As recently as two years ago, only a small area in local greenhouses may have been allocated to an assortment of miniature . . .

Posted: 2014-04-05