Finishing touch

Ground covers serve varied functions throughout landscape

Ground covers perform many functions in the landscape: defining property lines and spaces within the garden, replacing lawns and stabilizing banks.The appropriate use of hardy ground-cover plants will help you achieve a finished look in landscape plantings, reduce weed problems . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

Arbours, pergolas great addition if built right

A few days ago I had to reveal a huge job for my new series. While I was outside waiting for the homeowners to return -- so I could reveal their house -- something caught my eye. At the entrance of . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

Odour from laundry room hard to pinpoint

QUESTION: Please end this torment. I am troubled with a laundry-room odour that I can't successfully eliminate and it emanates from my washer. I tried running vinegar through the machine as well as filling the drum and surrounding tub with . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

CONNIE OLIVER: Texture keeps soft white decor interesting

This lovely sitting room provides a feeling of serenity and comfort. The soft white decor is unobtrusive yet stylish. There's nothing boring or plain about this lovely space, even though it lacks bright colour and strong pattern. The small space . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

Federal mortgage moves don't apply here

On June 22, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a number of changes to residential mortgages and the way in which they are transacted. His rationale is the federal government was introducing these changes to protect Canadians from their own buying . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

Sold

LindenwoodsAddress: 5301-173 Victor Lewis Dr.Asking Price: $194, 900Sold Price: $198, 000Taxes: $1, 809Square Footage: 892Bedrooms: 2Bathrooms: 1Listing Agent: Vijay Guliani, Realty Plus Inc, 897-0800St. JamesAddress: 107 Valley View Dr.Asking Price: $269, 900Sold Price: $315, 000Taxes: $2, 879.17Square Footage: 1, 100Bedrooms: . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

'What's not to love?'

Bridgwater Forest home functional and artistic

When it comes to designing a new home, there are certain fundamentals that must be covered. Those include a logical floor plan, generous room sizes and well-placed amenities such as laundry rooms and mud rooms. That said, functionality is only part of . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

Better than a starter

West End home full of upgrades

If you're a young couple looking for a starter home -- and have a budget of less than $200, 000 -- finding a good first home can be a challenge.A young couple's search might centre around older areas, such as . . .

Posted: 2012-07-01

CONNIE OLIVER: Texture keeps soft white decor interesting

This lovely sitting room provides a feeling of serenity and comfort. The soft white decor is unobtrusive yet stylish. There's nothing boring or plain about this lovely space, even though it lacks bright colour and strong pattern. The small space . . .

Posted: 2012-06-30

How to turn branches into home decor

Dear Marc: My hubby trimmed our old oak tree in our front yard and we are left with a bunch of tree branches. I've seen branches repurposed into an urn display on decks and in homes. How can I turn my . . .

Posted: 2012-06-23