The power of branding

Icons sell lifestyles of rich and famous

CALVIN Klein or Ralph Lauren? Martha Stewart or Donald Trump? In the world of branding, it turns out your couch says a lot about you. If you’re all about a palatial Park Avenue room with opulent twists, you probably fancy yourself something . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Today’s busy kitchen must be functional

DEAR Marc: We are gutting our kitchen and turning it into the gourmet kitchen of my dreams. I spend most of my days in the kitchen preparing breakfast, the kid’s lunches, and our family dinners, as I am a stay-at-home mom. . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Planning a reno? Here's where to start

Saturday and Sunday are the last two days of the Kitchen Bath and Renovation Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The show runs today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. If Friday's . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Sold

Sinclair Park Address: 456 Penninghame List Price: $127, 900 Sell Price: $120, 000 Taxes: $1, 091.09 Square Footage: 710 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: 27 x 100 Listing Agent: Shawn Sommers, Century 21 carrie.com (204)987-2100   St. Vital Address: 172 Poplarwood Avenue Asking Price: $289, 900 Sold Price: $279, 900 Taxes: $2, 959.03 gross Square . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Let there be light

Amber Trails home welcomes the sun

It's a classic Manitoba January day, which is to say it's bright, sunny -- and (of course) cold. Standing in the great room of 27 Lakebourne Drive -- a spacious walk -out bungalow by Gino's Homes found in the robust northwest . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Modern digs

in a traditional setting

When it comes to desirable neighbourhoods, River Heights is always near the top of the list.   The one drawback is that many of its homes are a century old -- or older. That means there's a good chance you'll need to . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Proposing the Make it Right Bill of Rights

A LOT of unethical contractors play fast and loose with rules and build badly or use crappy materials. They’ll also break the rules of good faith that should be part and parcel of any relationship between a service provider and . . .

Posted: 2011-01-15

Elegant, with a touch of drama

Canada's official residences being constantly updated

We meet at 7 Rideau Gate, a spacious old house with a mix of Victorian and Georgian elements just outside the grounds of Rideau Hall. As Ann Malone Bianconi shows me the rooms she's designed here, it strikes me that this . . .

Posted: 2011-01-08

Bright Ikea

Swedish home-furnishing giant always on cutting edge of trends

Ikea is right on trend. Its big, blue box stores match up with what's expected to be one of the top colours in home-decorating circles for 2011: blue. Talk about being ahead of the curve: Exterior store colours were chosen decades . . .

Posted: 2011-01-08

Room to grow

Teens need to update their personal space -- here's how

Inevitably it happens. Children grow older and become teenagers; they start to crave their independence and as a stepping stone to achieving this, their bedrooms morph from just a place to sleep at night to more of a sanctuary -- . . .

Posted: 2011-01-08