DEBBIE TRAVIS: Antique touches add warmth and comfort

Contemporary home design is no longer all about sleek, sterile environments. The minimalist movement has turned a softer cheek as the need for a more comforting home base became apparent. There will always be an important place for cutting-edge design; this . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

MIKE HOLMES: Check regularly under hood... of your home

We all get our cars serviced on a regular basis -- oil and filter change, tire rotation, tune-up. We know some moving parts in our cars require constant service and some parts will eventually wear out and need replacing. It's . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

Staircase sets tone for rest of home

Visual impact of curved stairway well worth any additional cost

A curved staircase takes up more room and costs more to build, but for some homeowners it is more than worth it. To them, there is nothing more timeless than a well-executed, curved staircase. A staircase can be the focal point . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Let's address some fireplace safety issues

QUESTION: Yesterday, I burned some wood in our fireplace. At bedtime, I left the flue open because there were still some hot embers in the hearth. I covered the fireplace opening with a blanket to keep the cold air from . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

SOLUTIONS: Dandruff shampoo tackles tricky stain

QUESTION: A red candle dripped on my 40-year-old white linen tablecloth and stuck to the table pad underneath. I have tried freezing the wax pad. What can I do to remove the wax without leaving any redness? Jeannette, Selkirk ANSWER: Some messes . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

Residential building crucial to the economy

For years, the weekend Homes section of the Free Press has espoused the benefits of the residential construction industry. Both new-home construction and renovations are featured on a weekly basis, with numerous articles, features and listings. However, although one appreciates the . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

SOLD & OFFERED - Feb. 6, 2010

SOLD! North Kildonan Address: 938 McLeod Avenue Asking Price: $199, 900 Sold Price: $222, 000 Taxes: $2, 790.44 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2 Square Footage: 1, 175 Lot Size: 60 x 107 Listing Agent: Tony Panchhi, Re/Max Executives Realty, 987-9800 Garden City Address: 626 Templeton Ave. Asking Price: $329, 900 Sold Price: $329, 000 Taxes: $3, . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

LIVING GREEN

Home is eco-friendly and energy-efficient

With so many new homes going up in spanking new developments these days (South Pointe, Bridgwater Forest), some noteworthy new--home projects in more secluded areas can get lost in the shuffle. However, when a builder comes up with a new home . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

Ahead by a century

Character home has plenty of modern comforts

Chances are when you think about buying a home built in 1911, you experience a flood of mixed emotions. On the one hand, there's anticipation: Homes built around the turn of the century positively ooze character and craftmanship. On the other . . .

Posted: 2010-02-06

RELAX -- once you pick the right sofa

First, a few essential things to look for when you're shopping for one

To me, buying a new sofa is one of the most difficult furniture purchases to make. You really don't get to see what's benea th the pretty fabric, so you can't be sure that you're getting a quality piece unless . . .

Posted: 2010-01-30