Living on the edge

West St. Paul home a retreat by the river

What a piece of paradise. "You wonder why anyone would want to drive two hours to the lake if they owned a home like this, " says Royal LePage's David De Leeuw. "The setting and views are unbelievable. Yet, you're only a . . .

Posted: 2011-09-10

Wild things

They may make your heart sing, but finding a balance is challenging

Dealing with wily critters AT one point this summer I counted five rabbits in my front flower bed. A family of rabbits have made their home under the deck in my backyard. Each evening I chase them in . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

CONNIE OLIVER: Empty frames fill a space

Use odds and ends to balance a bathroom

This lovely powder room offers tons of great décor ideas. The stylish Kohler pedestal sink and toilet are a perfect choice for this small space. These fixtures mirror the architectural details of the room and fit the era of this . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

Metallic hues from spoon to ceiling

Dear Leanne: I was in a restaurant recently and loved the ceiling effect. They had painted the entire ceiling silver, and I would like to try that in my dining room. Are there any tricks that I should be aware . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

MIKE HOLMES: Let grant make your home energy-efficient

I'm happy to report in July the federal government renewed the EcoENERGY Retrofit program -- a great program that ended earlier this year. For the next eight months -- until March 31, 2012 -- homeowners can get grants of up . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Don't use HRV unit during summer months

QUESTION: My question is concerning the family cottage in Whiteshell Provincial Park. My parents built a 1, 900-sq. ft., two-storey cottage about five years ago. They have an electric forced-air furnace with a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system and central . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

SOLUTIONS: Want dishes that don't break? Go for plastic

QUESTION: I would like to purchase a set of dishes that is tough and can withstand the occasional drop on our ceramic floor. I want something that looks elegant, so nothing plastic. What kind of dishes should I buy? Almanda . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

TREE CARE: Putting down roots

Short list of my favourite trees for our Prairie landscape

During the summers, I'm often asked about what kind of trees should a homeowner plant. Here are some of my favourite: bur oak, linden, Delta hackberry, Prairie Silk honey locust and Discovery elm. Bur oak is an under-utilized native tree that . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

HST would prove disastrous for campaign

AT a total of 55 to 45 per cent, voters in British Columbia opted to return to the old PST/GST form of taxation instead of the Harmonized Sales Tax. The hated HST was brought in by then-premier Gordon Campbell on . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03

SOLD: Sept. 3-11

East Transcona Address: 503 Melrose Ave. E Asking Price: $119, 900 Sold Price: $130, 000 Taxes: $1, 495.62 Square Footage: 850 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: 33 x 100 Listing Agent: Bob Goodfellow, Goodfellow & Goodfellow Real Estate Ltd, 224 2551 St. Vital Address: 153 Blenheim Ave Asking Price: $129, 900 Sold . . .

Posted: 2011-09-03