Brave new world

Hurricane Katrina victims grasp bold approach to redecorating

DEAR Debbie -- Since we have had a life-altering experience (Hurricane Katrina), things have changed quite a bit. My husband has selected for the dining room table a 72-inch glass top on a base of three Verdi bronze fish -- . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Concentrate first on insulation in the attic

Three main areas in older homes to reduce heat loss and energy use

QUESTION -- I hope you can give me some direction. I purchased a bungalow built around 1955 and have found it to be very cold in the winter. I think there likely is not very much insulation in the walls. . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Good paint finish starts with preparation

IF you've been putting off painting that bedroom, or avoiding the painting project for the spare room, it's good to know painting is not as onerous a task as you might imagine. The key to a successful and hasslefree painting job . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Don't let skeeters make themselves at home

Keep your screens in perfect condition

A small layer of Fiberglas mesh is the only thing that keeps Canadians sane at this time of year. Look out any window at dusk and you'll see why. Hundreds of hungry mosquitoes patiently searching for the inevitable tear in your . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Country living lets you expand house's horizons

Transitional spaces connect to outdoors

Designing a rural custom home opens up a country kilometre of possibilities, says Ottawa architect Barry Hobin. It starts with an opportunity to use eco-friendly materials and be inventive without the restrictions of a typical urban lot, says Hobin, who has . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Little touches add warm welcome to a room

Classic Canadiana can blend with contemporary accessories

Pine furniture, patchwork quilts and artwork featuring windswept pines, canoes and beavers are essential elements to capturing a taste of classic Canadiana. It doesn't matter whether you live in a sleek urban townhome or an old farmhouse in the country, blending . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Sold!

A look at recently sold homes in and around Winnipeg

East St. Paul Address: 2209 McGregor Farm Rd. Asking Price: $239, 900 Sold Price: $260, 000 Taxes: $3, 000.64 Square Footage: 1, 675 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Lot Size: 2.7 acres Listing Agent: Larry Kimacovich, Re/Mex executives realty, 475-5466 St. Norbert Address: 177 Laurent Drive Asking Price: $189, 900 Sold Price: . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

A place to be free

Canoe Club retirement community all about catering to condo residents

When many people think about retirement, the tendency is to cringe just a bit, whether it be consciously or sub-consciously. The reason for that reaction is twofold: first, the thought of losing the independence that comes with owning a home can . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

'A lot of house for your dollar'

Odessy Homes bungalow top quality and full of personality

So, you're prospective first-time home owners or empty nesters looking for a new home. By chance you come across a 1, 290-sq.-ft., two-bedroom bungalow that's listed for just under $270, 000 -- lot included. Almost simultaneously, two thoughts occur to you: . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13

Word spreads about hidden jewel

Think city comforts, but with lots of elbow room -- that's Sage Place

After 34 years of existence, you'd think that one of Winnipeg's finest outlying housing communities would have gained more notoriety. Still Oakbank's Sage Place continues to quietly roll along, steadily gaining more residents with each passing year. That's the way . . .

Posted: 2008-07-13