Country touch makes condo feel like home

Dear Sam, I loved the country vibe you showed in a recent column and I want it in my condo. I live in a big white box. I keep going the modern and minimal route because I've seen it been done . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

ASK THE INSPECTOR: High-voltage toaster nothing but trouble

QUESTION: There are 240-volt toasters on the market that run at 12 amps. Modern kitchen wiring has split plugs with 14-gauge wiring and two 15-amp circuits with ganged breakers, which means there would really be available a single plug for . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

CONNIE OLIVER: Giving and receiving

Read this column on gift ideas and win some fabulous prizes

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to get shopping. If you include gifts for the home on your list of possibilities it will expand your gift-giving options, which will make Christmas shopping a little easier. Buying gifts for another . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

SOLUTIONS: Measuring rice need not be wild disaster

QUESTION: The other day I cooked wild rice and was embarrassed when I ran out before everyone at the table had a helping. What is the best measuring tool for wild rice? In other words, how much rice will one . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

MIKE HOLMES: Higher-quality products last and look better longer

Does it make sense to invest in quality? What does quality mean when it comes to a renovation project? Simply put, it comes down to taking the right building materials and using proper methods and skill to turn those materials into . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

Lay groundwork for holiday decorating now

November: We've arrived at the brief calm before the happy storm of holiday celebrating begins. We may be thinking about the gorgeous decorating we'll do and the great parties we'll throw, but we haven't plunged into the work of it just . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

Cautious building trend? Not in my Canada

I am going to use this week's column to vent a bit about what constitutes Canada. I just finished reviewing a document by a reputable private-sector real-estate research and consulting group that cautions the Canadian new-home construction industry regarding future development. In . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

Sold & Offered: Nov. 26-11

Westdale/Charleswood Address: 96 Brownell Bay Asking Price: $189, 900 Sold Price: $189, 900 Taxes: $1, 971.86 Square Footage: 1, 100 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1.5 Lot size: 31 x 105 Listing agent: Jon Wiebe, Royal LePage Top Producers, 989-6900 Downtown Address: 101-340 Waterfront Dr Asking Price: $329, 900 Sold Price: $312, 000 Taxes: $3, 455.88 Square . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

Room to grow

The Eastgate designed for large, active families

Walking into the kitchen of 238 John Angus Dr. -- a.k.a. The Eastgate -- Signature Homes' sales representative Jeff McArthur gestures toward a french door with a frosted centre. "Take a look to see what's behind it, " he says. A quick . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26

Superficial retrofit won't do

Edison Avenue condo conversion done right

WHEN it comes to condominium conversions, there are two types: minor retrofits and major ones. The newly-redone condominium complex at 317 Edison Ave. in East Kildonan would definitely fit into the second category, said RE/MAX Professionals' Cory Kehler, lead realtor for . . .

Posted: 2011-11-26