Transform a den that's no longer 'groovy'

Dear Debbie: We have the typical 1970s brick and cement fireplace in our den. It really dates the room. I'm thinking of painting it a cream colour and adding glass tiles to the top of the hearth. What do you . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Paper the walls with prints

A decor fashion returns, and runway trends show the way

It was everywhere -- living rooms, kitchens, stairwells, even ceilings. And then it wasn't. Wallpaper's past appeal had a lot to do with its durability and knack for covering up wall imperfections, says Edmonton interior designer Lori Elms. But its popularity . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

How to tackle an open-concept design

Decorating an open-concept home can be fun but challenging. For instance, I'm often asked where one should stop and start with wall colour in an open-concept home. It's tricky because the walls and ceilings usually don't have regular corners where . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Solariums simply additions like any other

With summer winding down, some homeowners might be looking for ways to keep the sun shining in their homes through the winter. One option is building a solarium. But you have to be careful, because with so much glass you . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Moving with minimum grief

From packing to kids, organizing for the big day is key

For Adam Stuart and Courtney Tunnicliffe, moving into a new home means uprooting their nine-month-old son, Jeffrey. Arranging babysitting and packing up belongings without disturbing Jeffrey's routine will be important to the success of the family's move. Kristel Pellow, owner of . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

Attic ventilation key to avoiding damage

VENTILATION plays a key role in controlling attic moisture in the winter and hot air in the summer. Care should be taken to seal around all the openings in the attic floor, such as ceiling light fixtures, plumbing stacks, exhaust fans . . .

Posted: 2013-09-21

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