Designing a dream rental unit

QUESTION: A few years ago, we bought a condo that we've been renting as an investment. We'd like to renovate and rent it as a furnished space. Are there dos and don'ts when it comes to designing a furnished condo . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Permaculture has landed

Leave a smaller footprint, use less energy and get bigger yields

IF you haven't heard of permaculture, you can expect to see it popping up in connection with small-scale organic gardening and farming. But there's more to it than that just growing food. Permaculture is a way of living more responsibly, mindfully . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Eliminate skunk smell with hydrogen peroxide

QUESTION -- My son was sprayed by a skunk and I would like to know what to do to remove the skunk smell from his clothes. Is there any combination besides laundry detergent that would remove the smell? Bonnie, Winnipeg   ANSWER -- . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Venting alone can't keep upstairs cool

Question: My wife and I own a 21/2-storey house in the West End, and we need to replace the roof in the next couple of months because it is leaking. The fir planks underneath are in good condition, according to . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Get the most out of the Fall Parade of Homes

The 2013 Fall Parade of Homes began with a bang. Crowds for the first week have been terrific. The weather has been a pleasant mix of warm and cool, so you could take your pick of prime new home visiting . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Sold, Offered

SOLD Island Lakes Address: 76 Wayfarer's Haven Asking Price: $449, 900 Sold Price: $455, 000 Taxes: $5, 252.42 Square Footage: 1, 650 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Lot Size: 41 x 170 Listing Agent: Chris Guenther, Living Real Estate of Winnipeg, 204-998-8173   William Whyte Address: 629 Aberdeen Ave. Asking Price: $99, 900 sold price: $94, . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Maximum space, maximum light

True wall of windows a highlight of Bridgewood Estates show home

In some new designs, sales brochures might say a home has a "wall of windows" in the great room. Then, when you actually view the home, you find that claim to be only partially true. While the great room is thoroughly . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Ah, the country life!

There's lots of room in and around well-built, like-new abode close to city

When a family chooses to live in a so-called bedroom community, the choice is usually driven by a trio of considerations. First, one or both parents work in the part of town nearest to the community. Second, they want a safe, . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

You can huff and puff

But you're not going to blow these straw houses down

RENOVATE and recycle are two words we hear much about nowadays, but while many people are renovating, not so many are recycling. Why the lack of enthusiasm for recycling? The likely answer is recycling takes extra time contractors can’t afford, . . .

Posted: 2013-09-14

Grasscloth a favourite

QUESTION: What's the deal with grasscloth? I love that the look is beige but not boring. I'm not into colour, more of a neutrals person. I'd like to wallpaper my boring white shoebox condo with it. I'm hesitating to use it . . .

Posted: 2013-09-14