SOLUTIONS: Bring dishes back to their original colour

QUESTION: We live in the country and have hard, rusty water. My Corelle dishes are turning a yellowish, brown colour because I have washed them in bleach. Does this come off somehow and what can I do to get them . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Energy audit helps maximize investment

It's a given you're not King Midas. So where exactly should you invest when it comes to ramping up your home's energy efficiency? Building envelope People want a "one-size-fits-all solution and that doesn't exist, " says Christopher Straka, whose Ottawa company designed . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Household energy hogs run up your bills

Yes, little things do add up to big things when it comes to energy conservation. Here are some little energy-saving tips. * Electronic devices continue to consume "phantom" or standby power even when not being used, adding five to 10 per . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

MIKE HOLMES: Renovations, new construction take different skill sets

As a contractor, I've built a few new houses and I've renovated many more. I can tell you there's a huge difference between building new and renovating -- and that is something you need to be aware of when you . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Carefully balanced room will look eclectic

Dear LEANNE: I have a question about matching nightstands. We just purchased a beautiful sleigh bed for our master bedroom. We were not enamoured with the stands that went with the suite. Originally we thought we would pick up two . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Winnipeg rental costs make it a 'tight' market

Two studies came out last week which shed additional light on the status of housing in Winnipeg. The first, by the Altus Group, dealt with availability. The second, by the Frontier Centre, dealt with affordability. The Altus Group looked at apartment . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Sold & Offered: Feb. 4-12

River Heights Address: 349 Borebank Asking Price: $219, 345 Sold Price: $220, 000 Taxes: $3, 264.28 Square Footage: 1, 160 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size: 40 x 120 Listing Agent: Tom Blumberg, Monopoly Realty, 488-1133 South Pointe Address: 11 Shipley Court Asking Price: $499, 900 Sold Price: $488, 250 Taxes: $1, 372.24 Square Footage: . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Light up your world

There'll be no dark days in well-windowed house

In the process of creating their newest home design, The Cottonwood, Qualico Homes' design team thought about what people enjoyed most in a home. It didn't take long to arrive at a consensus. "People love a lot of glass, " said Qualico's . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Greens with envy

Bright family home features views of area golf course

So, you've got a big family and you're looking for a family-friendly home in a quiet, safe location. Look no further than the satellite community of La Salle, said Sutton Group-Kilkenny Real Estate's Jeff Brown. "I've got a 2, 413-square-foot, four-bedroom bungalow . . .

Posted: 2012-02-04

Online revolution

These days, quality doesn't matter as much as connectivity

1When Antonelli heard Rogers was launching a new home monitoring system that would allow him to secure his three-storey, 2, 500-square-feet townhouse, control the lighting and thermostat, or even watch his newborn in her crib while he was at the . . .

Posted: 2012-01-28