Common Universal Access Design Features

As a tail-end baby boomer, it is strange to anticipate my golden years. After all, I have a few years to go before I get there... Right? Still, now that the kids are moved out and the morning stretch…

What is Universal Access?

Our demographics are changing. According to Health Canada, at the start of this new century, Canada faces significant aging of its population as the proportion of seniors increases more rapidly than…

Feng-shui tips for dealing with clutter

Source: Harmony Life Design - Laurie Bornstein What is clutter? Clutter refers to anything unfinished, unused, unresolved, tolerated and disorganized. Clutter consists of those items in our…

Buying a home: New or previously owned?

Brand-new homes have distinct advantages - and drawbacks. Find out what you need to know to make an informed decision Source: Tara Struyk of Investopedia.com Unless you have unlimited funds, buying a…

The Mudroom: Changing How the Home Functions

Source: "Kitchen Fresh" by Jan Rutgers When I first began my kitchen design career, the mudroom received no attention. In the early years as a supplier of cabinetry the only other rooms looked at…

What you should know about your mortgage

Source: First Foundation Residential Mortgages - Blog As Fiona Anderson of the Vancouver Sun writes, mortgages are about more than just the interest rate. This is definitely true although rates tend…

OLEDs: The Light Idea

Source: Time Magazine -  Thomas K. Grose In the palm of my hand is a near paper-thin, rectangular glass tile with a mirror finish. It's wired to an electric switch. Flick it on and the glass…

The downsizer’s dilemma

As baby boomers age and the nests empty, many individuals look toward down-sizing or "right-sizing" to suit their needs. An article in today's Globe and Mail looks at the process several couples have…

Built Green Canada Helps Renovators Build Green

Source: Financial Post - Business Wire, July 21, 2010 Built Green Canada – which earlier this year expanded across Canada – has increased the options for green building practices by introducing a…

Plan of the Week – “Great Gazebo”

www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 2945A A fabulous family retreat with 1468 sq. ft., three bedrooms and two baths. Folks can gather in the family room, and flow into the dining/kitchen area, or…

Insulate your house – for comfort in all seasons!

It seems ironic to be in the middle of a heat wave and thinking insulation, but did you know that a well-insulated home will keep you more comfortable year round - and result in energy savings for…

Bath Design: Aging Gracefully

A growing number of healthy, active couples nearing retirement are making smart plans for their future—and they have the blueprints to prove it. Savvy seniors and aging baby boomers are remodeling…

Regina listings surge brings balance to market

Listings surge brings balance to market; high set for average price in June Due to a surge in the number of new listings taken on the MLS® System, the first half of the year has ended with balanced…

Know your risks! – Emergency Preparedness Tips

72 hours Earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, tornados, storm surges, floods - all of these have been in the news recently. Families have escaped with the clothes on their backs and little else. In a…

Insurance tips for home buyers

You’ve told your Facebook friends, your banker and your mom: You’ve found the house of your dreams. But have you told your insurance agent? Henry Blumenthal thinks you should, even before you buy.…

Plan of the Week – “Charming single-level living!”

www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 3949-V1 This bright and cheery bungalow is surprisingly feature-rich, given its economical size. Ideal as a first home, a down-sizer for baby boomers, or a…

Dad’s Top 10 Timesavers!

All this week, we have been featured topics near and dear to dads' hearts – grilling, media rooms, hot tubs and man-haven garages. At the top of the Father’s Day weekend, we are sharing some ideas on…

Plan of the Week – “Versatile Narrow Design”

The Murphy www.DrummondHousePlans.com - Plan # 2933 Much like the Murphy Bed, our Murphy is a wondrous bit of efficiency and flexibility. A slender 24-foot width allows it to be slipped onto infill…

The History and Health Benefits of Hot Tubs

As we continue our father-inspired topics this week, we visit one of Dad’s favourite back yard features - the hot tub. It does not seem to matter whether we are vibrant zoomers, broken boomers, or…

Backyard grilling kicks it up a notch!

While many men shy away from the kitchen, the backyard grill is the primal domain that beckons them to strut their stuff. Whether it is a simple charcoal bowl or an elaborate grill-zebo, dads and…