Winning combination

House balances style and function

Not long ago, Robert Cotroneo and his brother, Frank, got together to brainstorm. "The idea was that we'd put our ideas together and come up with a functional plan aimed at families, " he recalls. "It took more than one session, . . .

Posted: 2009-07-12

Touch of panache

Wellington Crescent condo features luxurious touches

When realtors Marnie and Laura Ross survey the interior of 806-255 Wellington Cres., they still can't help but marvel at how a new owner's vision transformed it from ordinary to extraordinary. That's because prior to May 2007, the inside of the . . .

Posted: 2009-07-12

THE PRAIRIE GARDENER: Winds -- and husbands -- wreak havoc

But some good news blew in, too

Last weekend could have been summed up as Il Buono, il Brutto, il Cattivo -- The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. The ugly, of course, was the weather; violent wind and heavy rainstorms ruined many plans --and plants. Much . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

Not your granny's garden

More and more are discovering joys of growing your own

Ron Berezan has been encouraging people to grow their own food for years, but it's only lately he's noticed "a real buzz" around the idea from a wider cross-section. Berezan, also known as the Urban Farmer, has been asked to do . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

MIKE HOLMES: How to keep your basement dry

Keeping water out of basement starts on the ground

The simplest thing you can do to keep water out of your basement is to control it at the surface. Surface water, like rain or melting snow, or water from irrigation, is pretty easy to control, compared to water below . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

DEBBIE TRAVIS: High ceilings offer great opportunities

Dear Debbie: We just moved intoa renovated factory and we are struggling with how to break up the space. Right now we don't have much furniture. The area is small, 550 sq. ft. with 14 ft. high ceiling, old wood . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

CONNIE OLIVER: You don't have to go big

Sometimes a room is what it is. It's hard to try to turn a small home into a grand palace, so you work with what you have. A small kitchen is especially challenging because we are sold the 'dream-kitchen' concept and . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Sacrificial anode? How do you know about that?

QUESTION: If the hot-water tank comes equipped with sacrificial anodes, is it a good investment to have them replaced? Will this extend the life of the tank? Rob Matthews, Winnipeg ANSWER: You have asked a rather unusual question about something that very . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

Sold/ Offered 07-05

SOLD: River Heights Address: 800 Waverley Asking Price: $249, 900 Sold Price: $302, 700 Taxes: $2, 909.67 Square Footage: 1, 112 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size: 40x130 Listing Agent: Steve Mikos, Sutton Group, 475-9130 Garden City Address: 32 Peony Avenue Asking Price: $199, 900 Sold Price: $225, 000 Taxes: $2, 679.40 Square Footage: . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05

Mortgage brokers seek best deal for buyers

Who are mortgage brokers and who do they work for? The question is one I hear a lot these days. Here in Canada, about 25 per cent of mortgages originate through mortgage brokers (versus about 75 per cent of mortgage dealers . . .

Posted: 2009-07-05