Shades of yesteryear

Older home lovingly renovated with modern features

WHEN you buy a resale home -- especially one built in the 1920s -- you're not always sure what you're getting. After all, a home 80-plus years old could have a lot of issues: the wiring (knob and tube), foundation (porous . . .

Posted: 2012-05-05

CONNIE OLIVER: Problems offer opportunity for creativity

Decorating is basically just creative problem-solving. Once you figure out what the problem is then you have the beginnings of a solution. I left off last week asking the question: What bugs you? I provided a few examples of problems and . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Stairway certainly doesn't lead to heaven

QUESTION: I am hoping that you may be able to provide an opinion on this problem. My house is just seven years' old and I have been trying to contact the builder over the last few weeks, but they will . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

GARDENING: Beautiful bloomers

But pruning hydrangeas can be tricky

When it comes to lush and romantic blooms on a large scale, hydrangeas rank with peonies in terms of their arresting visual beauty in the garden. But, while herbaceous peonies die to the ground by the end of each autumn, hydrangeas . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

SOLUTIONS: Give your bathroom countertop a new look

QUESTION: I have an Arborite countertop in my bathroom which needs rejuvenating. Can you give me the name of a product to help my counter? Gordon, Winnipeg ANSWER: If replacing your countertop is not an option, you can purchase products that . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

MIKE HOLMES: Water can give your yard a failing grade

Some homeowners might be starting to notice flooding on their properties. This is thanks to the extra water accumulation the spring thaw brings, not to mention those April showers. When pools of water start to gather in sections of your . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

Neutral palette makes for timeless rooms

QUESTION: Dear Leanne, I'm hoping to mini-renovate my children's rooms. What colours would you suggest for an eight-year-old boy's room and five-year-old girl's room? Which calming, soothing colours would be best? Should we use neutral paint and accessorize with pops . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

Do it yourself, but do your homework first

In times of economic hardship, "do-it-yourself" is a tempting mantra for many homeowners with dripping faucets, running toilets, leaky windows or sticky locks. The savings can add up when you don't have to call a repairman, especially for things like painting, . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

Dated to delectable

Puny powder room becomes a jewel box

Say "renovation" and immediately people think you're tearing down walls, installing custom cabinetry and doling out thousands of dollars to enlarge, upgrade or remodel your home. Truth is, you don't have to spend a wad of cash to dramatically change the . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28

Budgets send out mixed impact messages

We have had three government budgets released recently and their impact on the housing industry and those who own houses has been mixed, if not confusing. The federal budget acknowledged the role of new home construction and pledged investments in research . . .

Posted: 2012-04-28