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

RENOVATIONS: Money for makeovers

Comparatively affordable market leaves funds for fixing up homes

Why do people in Vancouver never renovate? Nobody can afford to buy a house. You may laugh, but when it costs $1, 000 a month to rent a storage locker in which to put all the stuff you would have put . . .

Posted: 2014-04-05

Merging indoors and outdoors tops 2014 trends

At the beginning of the year, Elle Decor, unveiled its hot trends for 2014. Have you implemented any of these yet? 1. Bejewelled kitchens: Embrace gemstone-coloured cabinetry (think teal and ruby) with brass backsplashes and matching hardware (see designer Miles Redd). 2. . . .

Posted: 2014-04-05

Flush-mount lights can really dress up a room

QUESTION: I'm having problems finding flush-mount lights for my hallway, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. Everything seems pedestrian or plain awful. There are so many pretty chandeliers in stores, but my ceilings are too low for anything that dangles. Your help . . .

Posted: 2014-04-05

Home Expressions is the place to be this weekend

Based on the interest and enthusiasm yesterday for the opening day of the Home Expressions Home and Garden Show, the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg is going to be the main attraction in the city today and tomorrow. Manitoba's premier home show . . .

Posted: 2014-04-05