An eye on the future

Think about accessibility when renovating your home

Aging in place: The popular phrase makes growing old in your own home, surrounded by the things you love, sound positively idyllic. But the reality can be quite different when your arthritic knees cry for mercy every time you climb the . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

Home, charmed home

The ancients used remains of the dead, but you don't have to go quite that far

Let's say it's Friday the 13th. Bad luck is at large. You've decided to stay home and wait it out. And you are not alone: researchers estimate that as many as 21 million people in the United States are affected . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

CONNIE OLIVER: Decorating on the KISS principle

Keeping rooms serene requires attention to detail, form

Sometimes our lives and subsequently our homes need to get back to basics. Usually when one of these is attended to the other follows suit. So, if you're in that headspace where your life is just a little too hectic . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

Don't get floored by choices

Consumers face overwhelming dilemma for decision

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- Overwhelming is the best way to describe the number of choices consumers face with regard to one of the most important decisions they must make in their home -- what to put on the floor. There is a . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

Heave ho

MIKE HOLMES: How to tackle cracks in garage floor

I just got an e-mail from Terry, who's got a new home with what he describes as a severely cracked and uneven garage pad. He had the builder agree to remove and re-pour the pad, and now it's cracking again. . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

TREE CARE: Fertilizing trees, shrubs can save your plants

IT takes two consecutive summers of heavy rainfall to realize that nutrients essential for the growth of plants are being leached into the sub soil and out of reach for the plants' roots. This year I have seen without exceptions . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Bad plumbing may cause sewer-gas smell

QUESTION: We have just recently completed a cabin at Lake of the Prairies and are having some issues with sewer gas. The cabin is constructed close to the lake which is man-made, where the Assiniboine River has been dammed at Shellmouth . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

Pick right fixtures and you'll see the light

Dear Marc: I'm working on the design for my living room. I'm going for a contemporary style, and have picked my furniture and a beautiful pastel colour scheme for my walls. I'm now shopping for light fixtures, but I have . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

SOLUTIONS: Clip your costs

Coupons a good way to save money

QUESTION: Some people say coupons are a thing of the past. Do you think clipping coupons is time well spent? What are some tips on smart ways to save money using coupons? Landon, Emerson ANSWER: When you are a frugal person, . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11

Fall Parade of Homes at the starting line

No doubt many of you have witnessed a flurry of activity on South Waverley, South Lagimodiere, west off Plessis, the westerly extension of Leila, south of Kildare and throughout communities such as Steinbach and Headingley. That activity marks the finishing touches . . .

Posted: 2010-09-11