Go against the grain -- paint cottage walls

When it comes to cottages and cabins, I have a not-so-hidden agenda: My plan is to paint knotty pine one summer home at a time. Oh, the horror! Yes, I'm another one of those decorators who wants to paint the wood. It's . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

Rusty door requires a little effort

QUESTION: I have rust at the bottom of my car door. What is the most effective product on the market that will take the rust off? Jim (Winnipeg) ANSWER: Grind away any rust, then visit your local hardware store or auto . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

Mancana ash disease tops reader concerns

Problems with Mancana (Manchurian) ash have dominated reader tree and shrub concerns this year, and I've even seen recently purchased nursery trees that show all the early symptoms of a potentially fatal disease believed to be related to a rare . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

CONNIE OLIVER: Multi-sheen paint jumps off the wall

Studies show durability is the No. 1 quality consumers look for in paint.Consumers also want a paint that's scrubbable. Leading paint brand Sico has taken these desired characteristics to new heights by launching a unique paint . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

RENOVATIONS: The Whole Enchilada

Renovating an entire house is daunting, so do your homework first

Part One: Oak Street Renovation (Part One of a series about the process of renovating a house from floor to ceiling -- in this case, a River Heights bungalow built in early the 1950s in the more southerly section of that . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

Coming-up roses

Assiniboine Park's English Garden blooms with new varieties

Assiniboine Park has many outdoor garden attractions to please any visitor, but the one with the greatest variety of plants on display is the English Garden, with one of the most diverse collection of herbaceous plantings on the Canadian Prairies. The . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

Builders want return to 30-year mortgage

Canadians have been extremely diligent in paying off their mortgages as quickly as possible, generally in about two-thirds of the original intended time period. In a recent report by the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) for mortgages completed from . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

SOLD & OFFERED: July 13-13

SOLD: Garden City Address: 50 Forest Park Dr. Asking Price: $249, 900 Sold Price: $300, 000 Taxes: $3, 309.44 Square Footage: 2, 200 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Lot Size: 79 x 116 Listing Agent: Bob Goodfellow, Goodfellow & Goodfellow Real Estate Ltd., 204-224-2551 Transcona Address: 367 Redonda St. Asking Price: $269, 900 Sold Price: . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

Brisbane beckons

Kensington Homes design uses space well

It's amazing how one design feature can affect a home. In this case, the decision to angle the back wall of a dining room adds style and function to the room and the living room next door. "Angling the dining room's rear . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13

Riverside retreat

Country living in the city

Southboine Drive is one of those neighbourhoods that flies under the radar.Tucked away north of Roblin Boulevard just east of Dale Boulevard, Southboine Drive is a unique stretch of topography. Not only does it run along the Assiniboine River, but . . .

Posted: 2013-07-13