SOLUTIONS: How to lure critters away from the garden

QUESTION: We have a problem with red squirrels and chipmunks digging in our potted plants and flower beds. They dig up the plants as well as the soil. Any suggestions as to how to make them leave our plants alone? . . .

Posted: 2013-06-08

CONNIE OLIVER: Bathroom for the ages

There's something so comforting about a room with character. This lovely vintage bathroom is the perfect example of how old and new can work together to produce a room with real charm. If you want to create a room filled with . . .

Posted: 2013-06-08

Housing bubble nowhere in sight: minister

Last week, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty reviewed Canada's housing market and looked for any signs of doom and gloom. To those who claim that Canada is on the verge of a housing bubble, the minister said that he doesn't see it. . . .

Posted: 2013-06-08

Sold & Offered: June 8-13

SOLD LORETTE ADDRESS: 14 Therrien St. ASKING PRICE: $219, 900 SOLD PRICE: $250, 000 TAXES: $2, 344.29 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1, 130 BEDROOMS: 3 BATHROOMS: 2.5 LOT SIZE: 77 x 122 LISTING AGENT: Rachel Gendron, Royal LePage Top Producers, 204-781-2485 SELLING AGENT: Chas Van Dyck, Royal LePage Prime, 204-989-7900 OLD ST. VITAL ADDRESS: 319 . . .

Posted: 2013-06-08

Priced right

The Santiago contains no surprises

When it comes to show-home prices, it's best prospective buyers be very aware. Some homes come with price tags that don't reflect what they will cost once a buyer adds all the upgrades they want. In the case of The Santiago -- . . .

Posted: 2013-06-08

Furniture primer

Big and small stores offer a wealth of choice, but watch the quality

The trend in furniture sales nowadays is to offer customers three categories from which to choose: traditional, transitional and contemporary. Traditional is easy to define -- it's the "more-is-more" stuff with lots of frills such as pie-crust edges you see . . .

Posted: 2013-06-01

Channeling summer

Hot tips to bring sunshine indoors

Summer is right around the corner and while we may dream of weekend trips and summer getaways, it's also the time for patio parties and lazy days at home. Karen Sealy, interior designer and regular Cityline contributor, says freshening the . . .

Posted: 2013-06-01

CONNIE OLIVER: Some handy dos and don'ts with feature walls

A few weeks back, I mentioned there was one more update needed in my kitchen. The brick wall on the wall opposite the cabinets has been a thorn in my side since we purchased our home years ago. The brick 'feature' . . .

Posted: 2013-06-01

Getting down with upcycling

Materials destined for landfill see new life in kitchen

If you're thinking of working with friends and family to build a custom kitchen from scratch, on a budget and with recycled materials and salvaged hardware, suppress the idea and run -- don't walk! -- to Ikea instead. Just kidding. You . . .

Posted: 2013-06-01

Kitchen renos require counter intelligence

It's not contagious, but it's strangely common among kitchen renovators: countertopitis. Symptoms can include everything from confusion and indecisiveness to budget-bashing and general feelings of denial. Hunting for the right kitchen countertop can drive anyone a little over the edge, especially since . . .

Posted: 2013-06-01