Your home is your castle. It is the place where you hide away from the world after a long day of getting berated by your boss because your TPS reports didn’t get their due attention. It’s your safe space. So, with that in mind, why in God’s name would you put your precious abode in the hands of amateurs? Home makeover shows are all the rage in the reality TV world. A lot of times things go well and...
Professional organizer Estelle Gee gives her best home organizing tips for fall. Blending style with practicality, Estelle Gee, director of Orderly Lives, has made a career out of helping others get organized. Here she shares some of her best home organizing tips and tricks to help you get your house ready for fall. Simple home organizing solutions Fall is the second busiest season and one...
Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Why make your home more energy efficient? Here are a few good reasons: Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions’ financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous for homeowners in most parts of the U.S. It saves money. It...
We’ve all got some sort of idea of how our dream home might look. Some of us have just got to have a pool, while others want clever modern design, sustainability, or integration with natural elements. No matter what it is that makes your dream home unique, here are a few examples of homes where people have been able to realize some of their greatest home design fantasies. These ingenious home...
Fall is a good time to take care of big home repair projects before shorter days (and in many areas, ice and snow) make outdoor work too difficult. And if you do live in an area with cold winters, take some time this fall to boost energy efficiency throughout your home, and prevent damage from winter storms with proper tree care (we spoke with an expert to find out what you need to do). Tick these 15 items...
Babyproofing Your Home from Top to Bottom You'd be surprised at how easy it is for a baby to get into trouble. Create a safe place by babyproofing every room in your home. Baby gates may be the first thing you think of when you baby proof, but buying one is only Step 1 to keeping your kid safe. Make sure the safety gates are installed correctly to prevent any accidental falls. Follow...
If your smoke alarms suddenly go off in the middle of the night, do you know what to do? Fire experts predict you only have a few minutes to get out safely in an emergency. But it seems many Canadian families are not prepared for such a situation. A recent survey revealed that just 56 per cent of us have a fire escape plan, and among those who do, just one in five said they practiced it at least twice...
Your community is where you live, work and play. It gives you comfort and stability, but that doesn't mean you can't make changes for the better. If you're hoping to get more engaged in your neighbourhood, here are some tips to get started. Support local organizations: Whether it's buying your groceries at farmers' markets, checking out the plays and sculptures of local artists, or shopping and dining...