Unplug small appliances and electronics when not in use

Question: Do you think it is important to unplug a toaster when leaving your home? Charlotte Answer: Yes, and not only the toaster, but all small appliances and electronics including toaster ovens, curling irons, coffee makers, tools, kettles etc. Also, . . .

Posted: 2022-07-23

Vintage stereos are guaranteed to rock the room

Mustard has been resurrecting old record players

If you didn’t grow up playing 78, 45, 33 1/3 records on a turtable, you missed the beat. I’ve long heard that the sound coming off of vinyl is superior to digital files and compact discs. I didn’t really know if . . .

Posted: 2022-07-23

A country garden with room to grow

Garden in St. Andrews achieves visual impact with bountiful blooms

Visitors who toured Leila Wegert’s country garden in the RM of St. Andrews at last week’s Red River North Tourism Garden and Art Tour had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at unique and fabulous varieties of perennials that . . .

Posted: 2022-07-23

Room to relax in spacious West St. Paul bungalow

River Springs Grove offers viable alternative to city living

As creative as home builders can get when they build on a standard-size city lot, they can get even more creative when they get the opportunity to build on an oversized lot outside city limits. It would be fair to say . . .

Posted: 2022-07-23

Protect yourself when it comes to home renovations

Manitoba Home Builders’ Association renovator members take workplace safety very seriously. If you are a homeowner looking at hiring a renovator, you have a vested interest in knowing that your contractor is taking steps to make sure their construction site is . . .

Posted: 2022-07-23

Appealing mid-century find in Armstrong's Point

Tidy, stylish bungalow beautifully updated

When you think of Armstrong’s Point, the image that comes to mind is one of sprawling, stately mansions lining the streets amid a collection of magnificent, century-old trees. And while that’s largely the rule in the historic area, there are exceptions. A . . .

Posted: 2022-07-23

Baking soda and water will have garage floor sparkling

Question: We recently moved into a home with an attached garage. The floor in the garage has old oil stains. How can we remove them? RussAnswer: Pour powdered heavy-duty detergent or baking soda onto the concrete; add enough water to . . .

Posted: 2022-07-16

Old chimney vent pipe is likely asbestos-free

Question: A while ago, I removed the top section of my B-vent chimney that goes through the roof. I then insulated and capped the remaining B-vent in the attic below the roof line, patched up the roof and shingles.Does the . . .

Posted: 2022-07-16

Rug woes best left to pros

Mustard enjoys wrestling with his floor covering, but you probably won’t

Why is it that if furmily members (cats, dogs, whatever) have to pee, poop or puke in the house, they always head for the nearest carpet? Just, why? I’m presently having a bit of a challenge with my 115 pound Great Pyrenees . . .

Posted: 2022-07-16

Shelter from the storm

Pergolas are not only useful, they are also MAGICAL

Having mentioned in a previous column how trends tend to come in waves, this season is once again the "summer of pergola". By the close of my scheduled exterior builds, four or five pergolas will have been built for hire, . . .

Posted: 2022-07-16